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Study Examines Whether Acupuncture Could Treat Veterans With Gulf War Illness

Researchers have been studying Gulf War Illness for more than 10 years and have yet to discover a cause. As such, diagnosing the illness is an elusive task. Gulf War Illness has a multitude of symptoms. Treatment will likely vary depending on the symptom.

Symptoms of Gulf War Illness can include:

• fatigue;
• joint and muscle pain;
• headaches; and
• indigestion.

Given the nature of the illness, finding suitable and effective treatment can be quite difficult. In 2009, the Department of Defense (DoD) awarded a health researcher from the New England School of Acupuncture a $1.2 million grant to study if acupuncture could be used as an effective treatment for veterans from the first Gulf War.

The scientific community is involved in an ongoing debate as to the effectiveness of acupuncture, and how it works. Meanwhile, the military has been more accepting of treatments such as acupuncture as a "complimentary" therapy to manage veterans' pain, regardless of whether it is a placebo effect or not.

The study is designed for 120 people. To date, only 20 people have participated. Those 20 people, however, responded well and report decreases in many symptoms.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.