Peripheral neuropathy
Burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness — often in the feet or hands. Common drivers include diabetes, chemotherapy (CIPN), and post-surgical or traumatic nerve injury.
Neuropathy treatment in Clearwater →University of Utah College of Nursing · Clinical Trial
CARE Study — Acupuncture for Gulf War Veterans
Dr. Kim Windschauer, AP is a participating community acupuncturist for the CARE Study, a multi-site clinical trial led by the University of Utah College of Nursing evaluating acupuncture for U.S. veterans living with Gulf War Illness.
About the CARE Study
CARE stands for “Confirming the effects of Acupuncture to Relieve the symptoms of Gulf War Illness.” It is a multi-site Phase II clinical trial led by the University of Utah College of Nursing, with Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson as principal investigator. The study is evaluating whether acupuncture — delivered in real-world community clinics — can reduce the pain, fatigue, cognitive, and mood symptoms that many veterans of the 1990–1991 Gulf War continue to experience.
Acupuncture of West Florida is proud to be the participating community treatment site for the Clearwater–Tampa Bay region. Enrolled veterans receive their acupuncture visits from Dr. Kim Windschauer, AP at our Clearwater clinic, following the study's standardized protocols. Enrollment, screening, and data collection are handled by the University of Utah CARE Study team.
Read more from the University of Utah about the study and the veterans it's designed to help: The CARE Study: Helping Veterans Find Relief through Acupuncture.
How it works
Two acupuncture regimens, real-world delivery
Participants are randomized into one of two treatment groups. All acupuncture is delivered in person by a licensed, CARE-affiliated acupuncturist in the veteran's own community — no travel to Utah is required.
Group A
Twice-weekly acupuncture · 6 months
Two acupuncture sessions per week for six months, allowing researchers to evaluate a higher-frequency treatment schedule.
Group B
2-month wait, then weekly · 4 months
An initial two-month waiting period followed by weekly acupuncture for four months, giving the study a within-participant comparison.
In addition to self-reported changes in pain, fatigue, sleep, and mood, the research team is analyzing physiological biomarkers related to inflammation and the autonomic nervous system. Details, protocols, and the full study team are published at nursing.utah.edu/care-study-team.
Eligibility
Who the CARE Study is for
Final eligibility, screening, and enrollment are handled by the University of Utah CARE Study team. In general, the study is looking for veterans who match this profile:
Gulf War–era veteran
Served in the U.S. armed forces during the 1990–1991 Gulf War era.
Symptoms consistent with GWI
Ongoing pain, fatigue, sleep, cognitive, or mood symptoms attributable to Gulf War Illness.
Adult (18+)
Able to consent to a course of acupuncture care and share basic health history.
Stable medical care
Working with a primary care provider, VA physician, neurologist, or pain specialist.
Able to attend a community clinic
For West Florida, that's our Clearwater office at 3001 Executive Drive.
Open to non-opioid options
Willing to add a non-pharmacologic treatment alongside your existing medical plan.
Screening & enrollment at U of U Or call our Clearwater clinic at (727) 490-6060 with local questions.
Dr. Kim's role
Tampa Bay treatment site for Gulf War veterans
As a Florida-licensed Acupuncture Physician, Dr. Kim was selected as a community CARE Study acupuncturist because of her clinical background in veteran care, chronic pain, and peripheral neuropathy. Veterans enrolled through the University of Utah are connected with her clinic for their scheduled acupuncture visits, so they can participate without leaving the Tampa Bay area.
- Protocol-adherent treatmentsEvery visit follows the standardized CARE Study acupuncture protocol.
- Coordinated with your medical teamAcupuncture is added alongside — not in place of — care from your VA, primary care, or specialist team.
- Local, in-person, no travel to UtahEnrolled Tampa Bay veterans are treated at our Clearwater clinic.
Related care at our clinic
Overlapping veteran conditions we treat
Many Gulf War veterans also carry chronic pain and peripheral neuropathy from service or aging. Outside of the CARE Study, these are two of our most-requested treatment programs.
Chronic pain
Low back and sciatica, neck and joint pain, migraine, and post-traumatic musculoskeletal pain — the pattern we most often see in veterans referred to our clinic.
Chronic pain relief in Clearwater →FAQ
CARE Study — common questions
Quick answers for veterans, families, and referring clinicians. For eligibility and enrollment questions, the University of Utah CARE Study team is the primary source: nursing.utah.edu/care-study.
What is the CARE Study?+
CARE stands for 'Confirming the effects of Acupuncture to Relieve the symptoms of Gulf War Illness.' It is a multi-site Phase II clinical trial led by the University of Utah College of Nursing, with Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson as principal investigator. The study evaluates whether acupuncture can reduce the pain, fatigue, cognitive, and mood symptoms of Gulf War Illness (GWI) in U.S. veterans.
What is Dr. Kim Windschauer's role in the CARE Study?+
Dr. Kim Windschauer, AP is a participating community acupuncturist for the CARE Study in the Clearwater and Tampa Bay area. Enrolled veterans in West Florida receive their acupuncture treatments at Acupuncture of West Florida from Dr. Kim, following the study's standardized protocols, while the University of Utah research team manages enrollment, data collection, and outcomes.
Who qualifies for the CARE Study?+
The CARE Study is open to U.S. military veterans who served during the 1990–1991 Gulf War era and live with symptoms consistent with Gulf War Illness — including chronic pain, fatigue, sleep problems, cognitive difficulties, and mood changes. Final eligibility, screening, and enrollment are handled by the University of Utah study team.
How are treatments delivered?+
Participants are randomized into one of two acupuncture regimens: (Group A) twice-weekly acupuncture for six months, or (Group B) a two-month waiting period followed by weekly acupuncture for four months. All treatments are delivered in-person by a licensed, CARE-affiliated acupuncturist in the participant's community — for West Florida veterans, that is Dr. Kim at our Clearwater clinic.
How does a veteran get enrolled?+
Enrollment is managed by the University of Utah College of Nursing CARE Study team. Veterans (and referring providers) can learn about eligibility and start the screening process at nursing.utah.edu/care-study. Once enrolled, Tampa Bay–area participants are connected with Dr. Kim for their treatment visits.
Is acupuncture a recognized option for veteran pain and GWI symptoms?+
Yes. Acupuncture is a non-pharmacologic option recognized by the FDA, CDC, ACP, and NCCIH for chronic pain, and the VA and DoD have expanded acupuncture access for veterans. The CARE Study is designed to build higher-quality evidence specifically for Gulf War Illness.
Ready to feel better — naturally?
Book a free 15-minute consultation with Dr. Kim Windschauer, AP. We'll listen to what's going on and tell you honestly whether acupuncture can help.