East meets West at 779 MDG

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amber Russell
  • 11th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. --  The ancient Eastern art of acupuncture has proven to be a great alternative to Western medicine when treating pain and other ailments. Dr. Stephen Burns, 779th Medical Group board certified acupuncturist at Malcolm Grow Medical Center stands behind the alternative medicine 100 percent.

"Acupuncture works with the body by using the body's own mechanisms to promote healing and reduce pain and/or spasms," said Burns. "When traditional medicine does not help or becomes debilitating, acupuncture is a viable alternative."

Auricular, or outer-ear acupuncture, was developed by Burns' colleague at the 779 MDG acupuncture clinic, retired Col. Richard Niemtzow, Air Force Surgeon General Chief Acupuncture consultant. Niemtzow designed auricular acupuncture or Battle Field Acupuncture specifically for troops. The effects of the treatment are immediate and long lasting cessation of pain, said Burns.

These alternative treatments have only recently become available to service members.

Since Burns and Niemtzow began working together in 2002, their research and practice continues to promote the beneficial effects of this ancient art. Together, their extensive knowledge of how the body can respond to and stop pain, without the use of drugs has helped many military members and their dependents.

Airman 1st Class Tabitha Haynes, Air Force District of Washington public affairs specialist, experienced the beneficial effects of this alternative medicine when she decided to treat her frequent migraines at the 779 MDG acupuncture clinic, Jan. 30.

"I have tried many traditional and non-traditional methods to get rid of severe headaches, from seeing a nutritionist and a migraine specialist, to exercise and massage therapy," said Haynes. "Acupuncture works best to relieve my pain."

Appointments at the 779 MDG acupuncture clinic are referral based, so Haynes had to wait four months to be seen. However, the wait was worthwhile for the airman.

During the procedure, Burns inserted several 15 to 30 millimeter serene needles into various parts of both of Haynes' ears to find trigger points that will relieve her pain. Once he found her particular points of relief, the serene needles remained in place for 30 minutes. Having needles inserted into your ear may not sound appealing to most; however, Haynes said the procedure is not as painful as it appeared.

"The needles are so small you can't feel any pain, just a little pressure," said Haynes.

Once the serene needles were removed, Burns utilized Niemtzows' BFA technique and inserted Auricular Semi-Permanent, (ASP) needles into more specific pressure points into Haynes' ears. These ASP needles remain there for two days prior to her next session. Haynes headache was gone after the treatment and she was then given a 'pain-log' to document how she feels in-between treatments.

The benefits of acupuncture are said to extend beyond pain relief into general health and wellness, which is why the acupuncture clinic and The Pentagon Flight Medicine Annex are coming together to provide smoking cessation and weight loss programs through acupuncture. For further information, contact the acupuncture front desk at 240-857-4979.