Tag Archive for 'Maj. Kirsten Vitrikas'

Air Force Maj. Kirsten Vitrikas, assigned to Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Arabian Peninsula in Balad, Iraq, inserts several needles into the shoulder of a Soldier. These needles will be charged to introduce electricity into the muscles in order to relieve pain.

Modern medical explanation states that inserting the needles into the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system into releasing chemicals in the body. When released, those chemicals can affect how one experiences pain or discomfort.

“The needles have a charge because they are metal and can help push through the block,” explained Vitrikas. “Sometimes we can use small amounts of electricity that can help alleviate the pain, too.”