Battlefield Acupuncture

Ok, so the Air Force is scheduled to train field doctors to use acupuncture to alleviate pain.  My first response is that this is good news.  The U.S. military is embracing complementary medicine and using it to good effect.  Yay Team!

But then I get an email from a friend of mine saying that he's looked but hasn't come across any peer-reviewed literature that demonstrates the effectiveness of acupuncture.  Boo.

Now the concept of acupuncture makes sense to me.  As a therapist who regularly uses trigger-point therapy, I'm familiar with how imbalance in one point on the body creates pain and dysfunction in another place that seems completely unconnected.  Often trigger-points align with acupressure points so a connection to me seems somewhat likely.  And since acupressure and acupuncture are related the theory and practice of acupuncture seem to be worth a good investigation.

My friend's concern though is valid.  Are there any peer-reviewed studies confirming acupuncture's efficacy out there?  If so, send me a link.

The definitive word on Trigger-Points.  Link

Trigger point self-treatment or Travell and Simons for Dummies.  Link

Link to Wired's Battlefield Acupuncture article.  Link