From the Editor's Desk

    WE ARE MOVING FORWARD...

    The Medical Acupuncture Journal is a wonderful opportunity for members of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture to communicate with their colleagues, and steer future courses through unknown waters. Rapid changes are transforming American acupuncture. These changes are not only directed towards the art of acupuncture, but its politics, too. Thus, our Journal is an excellent communication media to learn from each other.

    Many of us hesitate to write an article because of the time and work required, and the fear of criticism. Some of us have never published, and feel that it is better left to the expert or researcher. Let me assure you that you are both! Think of the most exciting observations you have made in your practice, do a little research on the Web or at your library, seek out your colleagues, and solicit their assistance. Before long, you'll have the makings of a paper! The most important thing to remember about your writing experience is that you will grow professionally by leaps and bounds! When you forward your article to me, I am willing to work along with you, and help promote your efforts. I welcome your input and contributions.

    How is your English? Yes, I do grind my teeth and moan, sometimes, when the articles come in! One floppy disk recently even brought down the computer system with a virus! You can do a lot to help our editorial staff! Ask some of your colleagues to read your article -not only for content, but also for English. Remember that I volunteer my limited time. So, when I have to correct comma splices and grammar mistakes, you are not getting the best use of my time. Most importantly, this Journal must be a quality effort. Author instructions and guidelines must be followed; writings must be critiqued by our reviewers. If we do not strive for quality, our Journal will not gain credibility. Remember, the AAMA is us! The articles are like windows allowing the rest of the world to look in at us!

    "The Role of Acupuncture in Breast Cancer: Magic or Medicine?"... I will have delivered this talk to the Department of Defense's Breast Cancer Conference (in San Diego) by the time you read this. Important, pivotal events are happening in this arena. Several telephone calls to large oncology institutes did not find acupuncture being used as adjuvant therapy, but M. D. Anderson in Houston, Texas has an acupuncture protocol that will be implemented in the very near future. Joseph S. Chiang, M.D. has a most exciting protocol involving granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in breast cancer patients. I recently traveled to Santa Barbara, California, where I met with a licensed acupuncturist teamed up with a medical oncologist. They definitely feel that acupuncture is useful for pain control and depression associated with malignancy. Although we may not find this surprising, this information is not yet well-known, in my opinion.

    This brings up another point. The Medical Acupuncture Research Foundation, under the auspices of Dr. Gary Kaplan, is of immense importance to us. Our non-traditional colleagues want data about acupuncture. It is not enough to say that acupuncture is useful. We must support our "beliefs" with high quality clinical research to establish and maintain our credibility. It is not enough just to have good feelings about acupuncture; we need to get to the pudding!

    We are moving forward! The Journal has a new cover design, it is magazine size, and a new editorial format. Slowly but surely, we are emerging. However, you are the action - and we need all the help we can get to open the doors and be recognized as a competent and respected journal. Will you be published next? You do have something important to say to our colleagues!

    This issue features important articles: Dr. Soren Ballegaard, a cardiologist from Denmark, discusses the usefulness of acupuncture in cardiovascular disease, and the dilemma of its clinical evaluation. Dr. Michael Buffington and embryologist Hobart Bell integrate Myers-Briggs continued on next page... typology and the Five Phases Paradigm. Most importantly, they demonstrate a useful clinical model to better understand our patients, their disease complex, and possible therapeutic options. Dr. Amelia Lynn Dolson leads us through the development of the human embryo to reform many different paradigms of acupuncture into a unified model. Dr. William Lee briefly discusses his clinical experience of treating 262 migraine and chronic headache patients with acupuncture. Dr. Russell Erickson continues his faithful efforts to review the literature. Lastly, many of the poster presentations from the Tenth Annual Symposium of the American Academy of Acupuncture (April 2-5, 1998, in San Diego) are detailed in this issue.

    Again, I wish to acknowledge and thank Ms. Rosalyn Royal and Mrs. Leta Wilson for their assistance, They wrestled with all the problems of preparing the manuscripts for publications. Without them, there would be no Journal.

    Kindest regards,

    Richard C. Niemtzow, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.

    AUTHOR INFORMATION
    Dr. Richard Niemtzow is a Colonel in the United States Air Force Medical Corps, stationed at Edwards Air Force Base, California. He is serving as the 95th Medical Operations Squadron Commander. Dr. Niemtzow directs a daily acupuncture clinic, and maintains a full patient load.

Colonel Richard C. Niemtzow, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.
United States Air Force, MC, FS
Commander, 95th Medical Operations Squadron
30 Hospital Road, Edwards AFB, CA 93524-1730
Phone: 805-277-2183
Or
21282 Hwy. 14, Sierra Trails RV Park, Mojave, CA 93501
Phone: 760-373-1051 - Fax: 760-373-2430 - Email: N5EV@aol.com

IMPORTANT NOTICE

NOW ACCEPTING ARTICLES FOR THE NEXT
MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE JOURNAL

REVIEWERS ALSO NEEDED FOR JOURNAL!
To send articles for consideration, or to offer your services as a reviewer for
the Medical Acupuncture journal, please contact:
Dr. Richard C. Niemtzow, M.D.
21282 Highway 14, Sierra Trails RV Park, Mojave, Cailfornia 93501
Phone: 760-373-1051 - Fax: 760-373-2430 - Email: N5EV@aol.com

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