Dawn Powell Acupuncture 

Acupuncture for Veterans: Conditions Treated & VA Clinical Evidence

1. Chronic Pain

• Conditions Addressed: Low back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain.

• VA Evidence: The VA's Evidence Map indicates moderate to high-quality evidence supporting acupuncture for various chronic pain conditions.

• Clinical Practice: Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA), an auricular acupuncture protocol, is utilized in VA settings for rapid pain relief. va.gov+3hsrd.research.va.gov+3hsrd.research.va.gov+3va.gov

2. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Benefits: Acupuncture has been associated with reductions in PTSD symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances.

• VA Guidelines: While not a first-line treatment, acupuncture is recognized as a complementary approach in the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD. ptsd.va.gov

3. Insomnia and Sleep Disturbances

• Effectiveness: Acupuncture may improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia symptoms.

• VA Resources: The VA provides guidelines for managing chronic insomnia, which include complementary therapies like acupuncture. healthquality.va.gov+1healthquality.va.gov+1

4. Anxiety and Depression

• Clinical Findings: Acupuncture has shown potential in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression among veterans.

• VA Research: Studies within the VA system have explored acupuncture as part of integrative health programs for mental health conditions.

5. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

• Symptom Management: Acupuncture may assist in managing TBI-related symptoms such as headaches and cognitive issues.

• VA Initiatives: The VA's Whole Health approach includes acupuncture as a complementary therapy for TBI symptom management.

6. Substance Use Disorders

• Application: Acupuncture, including BFA, has been used to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms in veterans with substance use disorders.

• VA Studies: Research indicates that acupuncture can be a beneficial adjunct in substance use treatment programs within the VA. va.gov

7. Headaches and Migraines

• Treatment Outcomes: Acupuncture has been effective in reducing the frequency and severity of headaches and migraines.

• VA Evidence: The VA's Evidence Map supports the use of acupuncture for headache management. hsrd.research.va.gov+4hsrd.research.va.gov+4hsrd.research.va.gov+4

Additional VA Resources:

• VA Whole Health Acupuncture Fact Sheet: Provides an overview of acupuncture services within the VA system. https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/docs/AcupunctureFactSheet_508.pdf

• VA Community Care: Information on accessing acupuncture services through VA community care programs. va.gov

​