Implementing Battlefield Acupuncture Through a Large Medical System: Overcoming Barriers

Introduction: Developing a new and innovative acupuncture technique to deal with acute and chronic pain is a considerable undertaking in itself as many barriers must be overcome. Designing the technique and gaining acceptance is even more daunting and challenging across a large system of medical facilities such as the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration. Such was the case of Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA), a 5-needle placement in each external ear into specific auricular points to treat acute and chronic pain. Discussion: This technique geared for military deployment is rapid, safe, and easily reproducible without side effects because it uses a choice acupuncture microsystem, namely the ear. Acquiring acupuncture practical skills is the prerequisite before designing the technique and then taking into consideration, neurophysiology data, and actual clinical experience to finally focus development is demanding. Conclusions: The benefits of BFA that was promulgated in a Joint Incentive Fund for $5.4 million resulted in thousands of trained health care providers and eventually many clinical trials to help validate the technique. Process improvement data were beneficial and important for its sustainment. There are 5 steps recommended for overcoming the barriers.