Listening to NPR this morning, I almost choked on my toothbrush: the US military is using acupuncture to treat chronic pain.
Not known for its liberal leanings, the defense department is deploying alternative medicine as a weapon against chronic pain. Well, not all wings of the military; just the Air Force has an acupuncture clinic, which it opened in 2002. While the army used to rely solely on medication to treat chronic pain, they have found acupuncture to have minimal to no side affects, no complications, and no interactions with pharmaceuticals. One soldier, experiencing phantom leg pain post-amputation, explained that in the short term acupuncture treated the pain more effectively and more quickly than medication, but admitted that needling might not have a long lasting effect on the pain. He said the acupuncture left him euphoric, where pain meds leave him loopy.
The military advises that acupuncture is by no means a replacement for western medicine, but a great complement to existing techniques to ease the pain of injured soldiers. Have you ever been needled? What is your take on acupuncture?
Mango
La Petite S*****
D&G
As a student of Traditional Chinese Medicine, I'm biased towards the benefits of acupuncture. But I think the US miliatry's decision to incorporate acupuncture is a "liberal leaning" at all. Since it's introduction to the US, acupuncture has been used primarily as a healing method for chronic pain. The practice is thousands of years old, way before the existence of pain killers, and yet has still maintained it's validity in the health community. Some biomedical procedures popular even a decade ago have already fallen out of favor, and pharmaceuticals are pulled off shelves even faster.
I'm not here to push for an acupuncture-only health care system, just wanting it to be better integrated.
And by the way, even more exciting is that Army fort's Hood and Bliss in Texas, have been using acupuncture in conjunction with standard PTSD protocol to great results!
1I have not been "needled," but would like to try it. I have read a lot about acupuncture and think it sounds like a great option for various ailments. I am actually currently reading "The Web That Has No Weaver," which is about traditional Chinese medicine, to learn even more and maybe even go back to school to become an Oriental Medicine Practitioner.
2I can not speak highly enough about the benefits of acupuncture. I was having back problems about 2 years ago and tried EVERYTHING from stretching to a chiropractor, and finnally broke down and saw an acupuncturist. It was the ONLY thing that helped my back! It also helped with other issues I had been experiencing (poor circulation, cramps, irregular cycle, etc.) My whole body felt better when I was going consistently. It is extremely relaxing, which surprised me. I ended up falling asleep during every treatment! It also made me feel better to know that I was helping my body correct itself naturally, without the use of medications and such. It is a great compliment to traditional western medicine practices, and I am glad to hear that the Air Force has made it available. I highly recommend everyone try it! Once you start going and realize how great your body feels and how everything seems to be working properly, you won't want to stop going!
3I used to be skeptical about it, but I have a friend who says it has worked wonders.
4I've never had acupuncture, but if I would definitely be willing to try it if it were recommended to me for a medical reason.
5I recently tried acupuncture for the first time and am now a huge fan. My midwife suggested it to help me go into labor. I had spent weeks going back and forth to the hospital with contractions that weren't doing anything. One acupuncture session later and I had my beautiful baby girl. I was in labor 3 hours after the session. Awesome!
6Acupuncture is NOT "leaning to the left" in any way. It is effective and affordable. Good job, Air force!
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