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When it comes to the ancient Chinese art of acupuncture, all that’s old is new again. Acupuncture, which involves placing tiny needles into key points on the body, is now being used in a groundbreaking PTSD teaching clinic on the West Los Angeles VA campus.
This clinic, along with the emergency department and other clinical settings, is offering new hope and healing to Veterans.
Johnny Theissen, a Navy Veteran, has seen significant improvements since he started attending the clinic seven months ago. Initially dependent on a walker and facing various health issues, Johnny now speaks highly of acupuncture’s impact on his physical and mental health.
Other Veterans share similar experiences, crediting Dr. Jeremiah Krieger and his team for their transformative care. Dr. Krieger, the first full-time doctor of Chinese medicine at the Greater Los Angeles VA, established the clinic a year ago. His dedication has turned acupuncture into a cornerstone of healing for many Veterans.
Dr. Jeremiah Krieger, Greater Los Angeles VA’s first full-time doctor of Chinese medicine, created the PTSD teaching clinic a year ago. This initiative marked a significant step in integrating acupuncture into modern medical practices for treating Veterans. The clinic, located on the West Los Angeles VA campus, has become a vital resource for Veterans seeking alternative therapies for various health issues, including PTSD.
Theissen is just one of many Veteran participants who credit Krieger and other acupuncture providers for helping them heal.
Krieger and Dr. Kirsten Tillisch, chief of integrative medicine since 2013, have been at the forefront of acupuncture’s growth within the VA system. In 2018, the VA published a standard that permitted licensed acupuncturists to be hired at VA Medical Centers, which facilitated the establishment and expansion of clinics like the one led by Krieger.
While acupuncture is most commonly known for treating pain, it’s also been applied to a wide array of other conditions, from gastrointestinal issues to PTSD to reproductive health. The practice dates back about 3,000 years and involves placing thin needles into specific points on the body to balance the body’s energy flow, or qi (pronounced “chee“).
Dr. Jeremiah Krieger explained that scientists are still learning how and why acupuncture works, but there is evidence that shows it causes the body to release anti-inflammatory cytokines, immune modulators, endorphins, and endogenous opiates.
Earlier this year, physicians at Long Beach VA, along with other researchers, published a study titled “Acupuncture for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, A Randomized Clinical Trial,” which found acupuncture to be effective in treating PTSD symptoms. This study supports the operations of the PTSD clinic at the West LA VA Medical Center, where acupuncture doctoral trainees from Santa Monica-based Emperors College come to treat Veterans.
Dr. Krieger has witnessed incredible results during these clinics and in other settings. He and Dr. Thomas Blair, deputy chief of the emergency department, have also initiated a program where acupuncture is used in the emergency department. There, patients have endured kidney stones without pharmaceutical relief, regained the ability to breathe normally despite early heart failure, and managed metastatic cancer pain after breaking through their opiates—all thanks to the ancient practice of acupuncture
The PTSD clinic and the emergency department are just a couple of the ways acupuncture is being used within the VA system. The Friday walk-in battlefield acupuncture clinic for pain is also well-attended by Veteran patients. Dr. Beverly Haas, the mental health lead for the Domiciliary Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program at West LA VA, has seen the effects of acupuncture firsthand in the Veterans she works with.
In a letter to VA leaders, she reported that many Veterans describe the treatment as “a game-changer.”
Krieger’s clinic is booked two months in advance. He hopes to see the use of acupuncture continue to expand, particularly in the realm of mental health.
Many Veterans report that acupuncture can seem intimidating at first, but keeping an open mind is key. Navy Veteran Johnny Theissen advises, “Really just listen to what they have to say.” Army Veteran Bradley Griffin, another attendee at the clinic, adds, “Give acupuncture a chance. It’s weird, but it works. Try it for yourself first and then decide.”
Acupuncture presents a viable option for chronic pain management and has shown significant benefits in modern scientific studies, providing relief for many who suffer from chronic pain and PTSD. The meta-analysis published in the Journal of Pain and other studies have demonstrated that acupuncture is not only effective but also offers long-lasting benefits that persist for at least a year).
For family physicians, ongoing education and training in acupuncture are crucial. Many physicians are open to alternative therapies but require more guidance and knowledge to feel confident in recommending acupuncture to their patients. Organizations like the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture provide valuable training opportunities to bridge this gap.
Addressing insurance coverage barriers is also essential to make acupuncture accessible to more patients. As more studies confirm the efficacy of acupuncture, there is a growing need to include it as a covered treatment option in insurance plans. This will ensure that patients can access high-quality acupuncture services without financial burdens.
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