Battlefield acupuncture utilizes up to 10 ASP acupuncture needles (5 in each ear). The Battlefield Acupuncture points include: cingulate gyrus, thalamus, omega-2, point zero, and shen men. The semi-permanent needles are left in place and typically stay in place for 2-7 days. Needles will usually fall out on their own, can be removed by the patient or the patient can call study staff and come in for removal if desired.

The protocol for using GV26 is as follows: With the patient in a seated position the acupuncturist places a 40mm needle in the acupuncture point GV26 (located on the philtrum, on the anterior midline, at the junction of the upper 1/3 and lower 2/3 of the distance from the nose to the margin of the upper lip). The acupuncturist then rapidly rotates the needle at the handle clockwise and counterclockwise (known as manual tonification) for 20-40 seconds at a time. The patient then stands up and assesses their pain. This will be performed up to 6 cycles. If a patient is unable to sit or stand, this may also be performed in a supine position with the patient attempting to sit or stand every 20-40 seconds.

Inclusion Criteria:

Male and Female Active Duty and DoD Beneficiaries aged 18 years or older.
Complaints of acute back pain (4 weeks or less in duration).

Exclusion Criteria:

Known history of underlying rheumatologic condition.
Chronic low back pain (greater than 4 weeks in duration).
Contraindications to NSAID use (including peptic ulcer disease, underlying coagulopathy, severe coronary artery disease, underlying renal disease, allergy, thrombocytopenia).
Red flag symptoms of low back pain (to include bowel or bladder incontinence, sudden onset sensorineural deficits, loss of sensation in the perineal region).
Requiring narcotic use to control symptoms.
Patients currently taking opioid medications.
pregnant, may be pregnant, or attempting to become pregnant