Obituary for Dr. Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, PhD, MPH
Colonel (Retired), U.S. Air Force Medical Corps
The world of medical acupuncture mourns the loss of Dr. Richard C. Niemtzow (April 18, 1942 – 2 February, 2025), a previously retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, who was also a beloved physician, colleague, mentor, teacher, leader and friend.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, Richard started his medical career as a Radiation Oncologist in the U.S. Air Force. In 1994 he attended one of the first UCLA -Medical Acupuncture for Physicians courses and a few years later, in 1997, became Editor-in-Chief of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture’s (AAMA) flagship journal, Medical Acupuncture—a position he held for over 25 years--up until his untimely demise.
During his illustrious career, Richard spent 13 years as a council member for the National Institute of Health’s National Advisory Council for Complementary and Alternative Health and represented the United States Air Force Medical Service at the NATO Committee on Integrative Medicine. He served as President of the AAMA from 2009-2011, and during his career, he coordinated and led four different military-medical acupuncture exchanges with members of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. In 2015, he was awarded the title of Honorary Professor of the People’s Liberation Army Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
A truly gifted clinician, Dr. Niemtzow will forever be renown for developing and promulgating the technique known around the world as Battlefield Acupuncture -- a simple but elegant technique for rapidly relieving pain, that he developed in the aftermath of the September 2001 terrorist attack. This technique alone, has literally transformed the lives of millions of people all across the globe.
In addition to developing the Battlefield Acupuncture technique, Richard also pioneered a series of life-changing acupuncture techniques for treating post-radiation therapy xerostomia (i.e. chronic dry mouth), macular degeneration, post-traumatic stress, tinnitus and even post-COVID anosmia.
His legacy will endure forever, in the hearts and lives of all who have had the fortune to know and love him, and by the many individuals who have benefited from his innovative techniques.
Dr. Niemtzow is survived by his devoted wife, Dr. Songxuan Zhou Niemtzow, his three children—Angelina, Elisa, and Michael (and spouse, Jennifer), three grandchildren-- Leonie, Benjamin, and Alexander, his sister, Helen, and his first wife, Jacqueline Breda (Niemtzow).
On Sunday, February 9, 2025 Visitation from 10:30am -11:30am and memorial services starting at 11:30am will be held at the Money & King Funeral Home at 171 Maple Avenue W, Vienna, VA, 22180.
Burial is being arranged at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
The ASA is working to get the Medicare for Seniors bill reintroduced.
Our Medicare Fact Sheet and Benefits of Medicare Provider Status for Acupuncturists are great resources to answer many common questions.
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Medicare recognition, through continued support of H.R. 3133, remains our primary goal for 2024. We also understand the need for every state to be actively engaged in advocacy within their state legislature. The ASA Advocacy Committee is working to better understand the needs of our member state associations so that we can help to support their advocacy efforts.
