Battlefield acupuncture: a Needle-Based alternative to NSAIDs for back pain?
NCT ID NCT04236908
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether ear acupuncture (called Battlefield Acupuncture) works better than standard painkillers (NSAIDs) for acute low back pain in active-duty military members. 276 participants received either acupuncture, NSAIDs, or both. The goal was to see which approach reduced pain and missed work days more effectively.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Battlefield Acupuncture (ear acupuncture with semi-permanent needles) and naproxen (NSAID)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a drug-free option for quick pain relief in military settings.
What could go wrong
This is a small, completed study in a specific military population, so results may not apply to everyone. Acupuncture effects can vary, and the placebo effect is strong in pain studies.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Mike O'Callaghan Military Medical Center
Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, 89191, United States