Silvia Byerly, L.Ac., an acupuncturist on staff at the Shore Health System Center for Integrative Medicine in Easton, has added “battlefield acupuncture” to her treatment options.

Byerly studied with Air Force physician Col. Richard Niemtzow, MD, the inventor of the battlefield acupuncture protocol. This protocol is used by US military physicians in war zones and back home to help soldiers manage pain. The treatment is now being used successfully in the general population for pain management.

“Depending on the type of medical condition, patients can expect to be pain free for minutes, hours, days or months following a treatment, Byerly says. She uses a similar technique with cancer patients who experience xerostomia or dry mouth

Byerly is enthusiastic about the response she is getting to this treatment technique when working with patients who experience migraines and headaches.

“I have been treating mostly women, some of whom have had severe migraines since their teenage years,” Byerly reports. “Some migraines were longstanding and did not respond well to medications. Acupuncture has made a difference in the frequency, duration and severity of the migraines.”

Byerly adds, “Patients experience no side effects from acupuncture treatments, and instead report a feeling of relaxation and well being.”

On May 24, at 6:30 pm, Byerly is giving a talk about the benefits of acupuncture for individuals with migraines and headaches. The program will be held at the Center for Integrative Medicine in Easton. The presentation is free; registration is required.

The Shore Health System Center for Integrative Medicine is located at 607-B Dutchman’s Lane in Easton. For more information about battlefield acupuncture, contact Silvia Byerly at the Center for Integrative Medicine, 410-770-9400.