Jan 19th - 11:19am

http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=226&sid=675250

Darci Marchese, WTOP Radio

Studies show about 50 percent of Americans have tried alternative
medicine like acupuncture. So the man who pioneered acupuncture in
the military says it should be an option for the men and women
serving their country. And he's now in our area, treating thousands
of military men and women and their families with acupuncture.

Col. Richard Niemztow, a radiation oncologist, received a brochure
on acupuncture in 1994. At first he threw it out, but then he
decided to learn more about the ancient practice and attended a
conference on acupuncture. He was sold. Niemztow started the first
acupuncture clinic at McGuire Air Force Base in Ohio and now
practices acupuncture at Andrews Air Force Base, the Pentagon and
Walter Reed Army Medical Center.



Acupuncture & the Military, Part III

Nearly five thousand soldiers from the Iraq war have been treated at
Walter Reed Army Medical Center. And some are giving acupuncture a
try.

Acupuncture & the Military, Part IV

We've been telling you about acupuncture being offered in the
military in our area. But, what's the cost?
AIM Three or four doctors at Walter Reed practice acupuncture on
their patients. Niemztow visits each week, to help relieve the pain
for amputees back from Iraq. He says he helps 50 percent of amputees
suffering from phantom pain.

I had the opportunity to sit in on patient visits who were referred
to acupuncture at Walter Reed and received the treatment for the
first time. I witnessed men and women finding relief in a matter of
minutes after suffering chronic pain for years.

Niemztow used various techniques on the patients he developed and
are now taught throughout the country. In one technique, he places
acupuncture needles into the ear, since the ear is integrated to the
central nervous system.

Niemztow says you interfere with the processing of pain and in a
way, turn off the pathway and that's why pain may go away. Each of
the patients he saw were referred back to the clinic for follow-up
treatments. He says it is possible their pain will come back.

Niemztow alone has treated 11,000 patients in the military with
acupuncture. He says the cost of the most expensive needles are 38
cents and a very cost-effective way to treat pain. He's the only
acupuncturist at Andrews Air Force Base and the Pentagon and hopes
the program will be expanded.