Abstract
Objective: To document the effect of interdisciplinary battlefield acupuncture (BFA) treatment and physical therapy (PT) intervention on reported outcomes for pain, disability rating using the Neck Disability Index and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, cervical mobility, and lumbar mobility in a military veteran with PTSD and chronic neck and back pain. Background: The Battlefield Acupuncture technique was created by Dr. Richard Niemtzow for rapid pain relief in 2001. It incorporates the use of auricular semi-permanent (ASP) indwelling auricular needles alternatingly placed in a specific order at five specific locations on each ear. Differential Diagnosis: Neck pain with mobility deficits and low back pain with movement coordination. Treatment: Physical therapy intervention only for 10 visits, then 6 combined BFA treatments with follow up PT intervention. Uniqueness: Battlefield acupuncture is currently only available to veteran and active duty military personnel to manage acute and chronic pain quickly. Discussion: Functional outcome measures improved with combined BFA and PT intervention but did not meet the minimal detectable change to show significant improvement. This case report only documents the results of 3 BFA treatments with 2 follow up PT interventions. Limited access to patient records limit the ability of this case report to confidently add to the efficacy of combined BFA and PT intervention to manage chronic pain in patients with PTSD.