Acupuncture for Veterans
Acupuncture is gaining recognition as a valuable complementary therapy for veterans, particularly for conditions like chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. Recent clinical research and systematic reviews highlight both its effectiveness and safety for this population.
Clinical Trials and Veteran-Specific Studies
Recent randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that acupuncture, especially when compared to sham (placebo) treatments, leads to significant reductions in PTSD symptoms among combat veterans. For example, a landmark study published in JAMA Psychiatry assigned veterans with PTSD to either an active acupuncture or a sham acupuncture group. Results, measured using the gold-standard Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5), showed that active acupuncture led to a greater reduction in PTSD symptoms1.
The study also measured fear extinction—the ability to reduce fear responses to previously threatening stimuli. Veterans receiving real acupuncture showed improved fear extinction, a process critical to PTSD recovery. In practical terms, this means that acupuncture may help veterans who have learned to fear certain sights, sounds, or smells associated with traumatic events to gradually reduce those fear responses1.
Pain Management and Battlefield Acupuncture
Chronic pain is a major concern for veterans, and acupuncture offers a non-pharmacological alternative to opioid-based treatments. Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA), a rapid and minimally invasive protocol, has been widely adopted within the VA system. Clinical trials are currently evaluating BFA’s effectiveness specifically for veterans with a history of chronic pain and substance use disorder47. Preliminary findings suggest that BFA is well-tolerated and effective in reducing pain severity, even among vulnerable populations such as unhoused veterans7.
Mental Health and Well-being
Research also supports the use of acupuncture for mental health conditions prevalent among veterans. Studies have found that both real and sham acupuncture can be effective in treating anxiety, depression, and insomnia in veterans with PTSD, though real acupuncture often shows greater benefit8. The inclusion of psychological assessments—such as those developed at Wayne State University—has helped researchers more accurately measure the impact of acupuncture on mental health outcomes1.
Evidence Map and Systematic Reviews
A comprehensive evidence map of acupuncture for adult health conditions (covering studies from 2013 to 2021) found that most high- or moderate-certainty evidence supports the use of acupuncture for painful conditions, compared to sham or control treatments3. While most reviews focus on pain, the evidence also supports acupuncture’s safety and its potential benefits for a range of other conditions relevant to veterans3.
Key Takeaways
Acupuncture significantly reduces PTSD symptoms and improves fear extinction in veterans1.
Battlefield Acupuncture is effective for chronic pain and is being studied for veterans with substance use disorders47.
Acupuncture is safe and offers a non-opioid alternative for pain and mental health management36.
Both real and sham acupuncture can improve anxiety, depression, and sleep, but real acupuncture often has greater benefits8.
Looking Forward
Ongoing research and clinical trials continue to expand our understanding of how acupuncture can best serve veterans. With its strong safety profile and growing evidence base, acupuncture is becoming a cornerstone of integrative care within the Veterans Health Administration.
