Photo By Charles Haymond | Lt. Col. Stephen Cagle, 55th Medical Group director of medical education, instructs...... read more read more
Subscribe
Members from the 55th Medical Group participated in Battlefield-acupuncture training inside the Erhling Berquist Clinic Feb. 26, 2025.
In 2001, retired Air Force Col. Richard Niemtzow developed BFA as a method to relieve patients of their pain in combat and other military operations.
“Battlefield Acupuncture is a specific acupuncture technique that is designed to be readily available, easy to be performed, and rapidly deployable,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Cagle, 55th Medical Group director of medical education. “It is a form of auricular (or ear) acupuncture.”
BFA purpose is to target pain markers in the ear to reduce pain. This technique has been used on countless individuals throughout the Department of Defense since its origin.
“It takes about 10 minutes for the entire procedure,” Cagle said. “It is anywhere from 1 to 10 needles total depending on the patient’s response. If a patient has pain relief after one needle then no more needles are needed. The needles can be a little uncomfortable when initially placed, but no the procedure does not hurt.”
Although BFA is safe, some individuals may experience adverse effects from the procedure.
“BFA is very safe,” said Dillion Savard, Healthcare Operations Squadron family physician. “There are theoretical risks of bleeding and infection but I have never heard of any cases of real infection from BFA, nor any significant bleeding. At most it’s usually a drop or two of blood. Some people will get a brief headache, or pain/discomfort in the auricle (external/visible portion of the ear) but most people don’t get a headache and for most people who do get a headache or ear discomfort, it is mild/very tolerable.”
Before administering this procedure on team Warhawk members, 55th MDG personnel must accomplish online modules and a two-hour in-person training where the members will learn how to effectively place the needles prior to certification.
“The United States Air Force Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine Center at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. has developed a training course and approved instructors,” Savard said. “There is a computer-based component and a hands-on component to the training. We occasionally offer that training at the 55th MDG.”
| Date Taken: | 03.04.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.17.2025 16:54 |
| Story ID: | 492704 |
| Location: | OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE , NEBRASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 24 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 55th Med Group puts a pin in pain relief, by Charles Haymond, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
