Col. Richard Charles Niemtzow MD, PhD, MPH

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 – February 2, 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.

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.