Treating pain using acupuncture for nonacupuncturists.

Battlefield acupuncture is a specific auricular acupuncture protocol that can be performed by nonacupuncturists in military and civilian clinical settings. Battlefield acupuncture is purported to be efficacious in controlling pain, is quickly administered, and requires minimal postadministration observation. With very low risk and a negligible adverse reaction profile, this technique can be used as an alternative or complement to manage pain. More large randomized controlled trials are needed to compare acupuncture with standard therapy in military and civilian settings.