BFA is an auriculotherapy technique that was invented by Dr. Richard C. Niemtzow in 2002. The treatment involves inserting French gold auricular semi-permanent (ASP®) needles into very specific points on the ear, following a prescribed order. BFA uses up to 5 gold ASP® needles in each ear, inserted in a back-and-forth sequence. Once each needle is inserted, the patient is required to walk for 30 seconds, which helps reduce pain. This is done after each needle is inserted. BFA is used to treat both acute and chronic pain conditions. The needles stay in the ear for 3 to 5 days and then fall out on their own. BFA has provided our military doctors with an amazing tool to treat soldiers on the battlefield. It has been reported that BFA can reduce the need for opioids. It has been shown that approximately 80% of people with pain symptoms will respond positively to BFA treatments. Some patients achieve permanent pain relief with a single treatment. Most patients treated with BFA can expect several days of relief.
BFA Treatments With and Without the Premio 32 Laser
The application of ASP® needles without laser intervention often leads to the recurrence of pain in certain patients. This typically occurs within 24 to 48 hours after the needles are removed from their ears. This variation in duration is dependent on the specific underlying pathology of each individual patient. It's important to note that the efficacy of pain relief is influenced by the precision of the needle placement and the accuracy of the technique used. In cases where the needles are not precisely inserted, the length of pain relief can be negatively impacted.
The use of ASP® needles in conjunction with the Premio 32 laser has resulted in remarkable clinical outcomes. Patients reported a decrease in pain lasting between 2 to 5 days post-needle removal, which is a significant improvement over the 24 to 48 hours of relief typically observed in those treated with only. As a result, those patients who received both the ASP needles and the Premio 32 laser experienced a more sustained duration of pain relief.
When using ASP® needles in conjunction with the Premio 32 laser
I initiate the BFA treatment by inserting gold ASP® needles bilaterally into the patient's ears. Once a patient reports a reduction of between 0 to 3 on the pain scale out of 10, I stop inserting additional ASP needles. Then, I proceed to stimulate each of the non-needled BFA points with the Premio 32 laser for 8 seconds. It's important to note that I do not require my patients to walk between each point stimulated with the laser. The following is a list of each point along with its corresponding frequency.
Cingulate Gyrus - G frequency Thalamus - F frequency Omega 2 - C frequency
Shen Men - C frequency
Zero Point - B frequency
Premio 32 laser treatment buttons
The image above illustrates the control buttons for the Premio 32 Laser.
The Premio 32 laser features a Nogier A-G preset button, which makes it easier for users to navigate through the entire range of Nogier frequencies. In addition, users have the option to select specific frequencies, making it possible to apply a single frequency to each specified location when using the Premio laser. I chose this laser because of its ability to deliver the complete range of Nogier frequencies.
When using ASP® needles in conjunction with the Premio 32 laser
Once the patient reports a reduction of between 0 to 3 on the pain scale out of 10, I stop inserting ASP® needles. Then, I stimulate each non-needled BFA point with the Premio for 8 seconds. I chose this laser because of its ability to deliver the full range of Nogier frequencies. It is important to emphasize that I do not instruct my patients to walk between each point stimulated with the laser after the insertion of the ASP needles.
BFA with the Premio 32 laser as a stand-alone treatment
Premio 32 Laser
Patients who cannot tolerate ASP® needles (or therapists who cannot use needles). Apply stimulation with the Premio 32 laser to each BFA point for 15 to 30 seconds. I activate each point for 30 seconds in cases where the patient has multiple chronic conditions. done bilaterally with the Premio. Have them walk for 45 seconds after each point has been stimulated. Continue until their pain level drops to between 0 and 1, or you have stimulated all BFA points.
