Lessons Learned in Teaching Battlefield (Ear) Acupuncture to Emergency Medicine Clinicians

Abstract

Background: Acupuncture, in general, is being proclaimed as an alternative analgesic amid the opioid crisis, and along with this, within emergency departments (EDs) there is a specific interest in a form of ear acupuncture called Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA). It is expected that BFA will be used more widely in emergency medicine as it is easy to learn and can be applied both promptly and easily. Teaching programs will be required to sustain this increased demand and upskill emergency clinicians in this skill. Objectives: This article provides experiences and recommendations, based on faculty experiences from teaching BFA in Australia to ED clinicians combined with formal participant feedback. Main Points: BFA courses were adjusted to suit ED doctors and nurses, along with their unique case mix and associated challenging environment. The content of the BFA courses included evidence, pain indications, contraindications, application, safety, mechanism of action, and how to negotiate barriers of credentialing. Workshops used the latest and most effective teaching methods that encompassed problem-based learning, infotainment, simulation, ''four stage skills teaching,'' and ''teaching on the run.'' Conclusion: It is hoped that the experiences gained, and lessons learned in educating this new frontier of BFA to emergency clinicians will assist others in teaching BFA and its related techniques as a viable analgesic alternative in emergency medicine.

Observation on the Efficacy of Moxibustion Combined with Ear Acupoint Pressing Beans in Treating Patients with Phlegm Stasis Syndrome Vertigo

“…Moxibustion [ 9 ] and ear acupressing bean therapy [ 10 ] are the treasures of Chinese medicine, and research on moxibustion and ear acupressing bean therapy for vertigo has been in constant development in recent years. Studies [ 11 , 12 ] have shown that stimulating the corresponding response points and acupuncture points in the auricle can help regulate the qi and blood of the internal organs, balance yin and yang, unblock the meridians, and tonify the kidneys and strengthen the spleen, thus achieving a calming and tranquilizing effect and stopping dizziness. In addition, the warmth of the moxibustion fire can be used to stimulate the body, eliminating stagnation, raising the Yang and Qi, and warming the meridians and invigorating the blood, thus promoting the glory of Qi and blood and nourishing the brain, which can effectively suppress vertigo.…”