Special issue explores military applications of acupuncture

The current issue of Medical Acupuncture, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., explores how the U.S. military is incorporating medical acupuncture to assist in the medical care of military personnel serving in the war zones and the efforts underway to explore military applications of acupuncture. The issue is available online at http://www.liebertpub.com/acu.

"The use of acupuncture for helping wounded warriors suffering from pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and mild traumatic brain injury is growing rapidly," says Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, PhD, MPH, Editor-in-Chief of Medical Acupuncture. Dr. Niemtzow is a retired Air Force Colonel and current Director of the USAF Acupuncture Center, Joint Base, Andrews, Maryland.

The issue includes a Roundtable Discussion on "The Use of Acupuncture in the U.S. Military: Challenges and Opportunities," which features the opinions and recommendations of leaders in the development and implementation of medical acupuncture in the military.

A diverse collection of articles explores the possible uses of acupuncture on the battlefield to treat injuries in the U.S. military, as well as current research activities. Topics include specific applications of acupuncture for traumatic injuries and the consideration of acupuncture for post-traumatic stress disorder. A special section looks at the possible use of acupuncture in NATO and the established use of acupuncture in the Chinese military.