Battlefield Acupuncture: Old practice, new practitioners

Photo By Sgt. Brian Smith-Dutton | First Lt. Robert Blume, the physician assistant for 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team "Rakkasans," 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), inserts a thin gold needle through a U.S. civilian contractor’s ear during a battlefield acupuncture session on Combat Outpost Champkani, Afghanistan, Jan. 27, 2013. Acupuncture is based on piercing certain areas of the body with thin needles to possibly alleviate pain and stress. (U.S. photo by Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton Task Force 3/101 Public Affairs)  

PAKTYA PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

01.27.2013

Story by Spc. Brian Smith-Dutton 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Army 1st Lt. Robert Blume, the physician assistant for 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team "Rakkasans," 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), performed battlefield acupuncture on a U.S. civilian contractor on Combat Outpost Champkani, Afghanistan, Jan. 27.

The patient had come to Blume complaining of massive back pain sustained from years of being enlisted in the military and had opted for acupuncture.

"Battlefield acupuncture is done so as to augment therapy for people who don't want to take pills everyday," said Blume.

Two needles were inserted through both ears of the patient without flaw or complications and he was able to walk out with no complaints of back pain.

Battlefield acupuncture may be still in the beginning phases within the military but many service members are opting for therapy over medication.

• Date Taken: 01.27.2013
• Date Posted: 02.11.2013 12:32
• Story ID: 101789
• Location: PAKTYA PROVINCE, AF