Medical Acupuncture
A Journal For Physicians By Physicians

Published by
The American Academy of
Medical Acupuncture

Fall / Winter 1998 / 1999 - Volume 10 / Number 2
"Aurum Nostrum Non Est Aurum Vulgi"

     
     
     
     

THE Qi
I
S FLOWING . . .

     Congratulations to the membership and your new journal's "facelift." The Qi is flowing! I have received a tidal wave of compliments: E-mails, phone calls, faxes, notes, and letters stating how pleased you are. I even received some songs you can sing! If that was not enough, pledges of articles abound. This issue is a result of outstanding cooperation with the reviewers and authors. What a fast turnaround!
     Is this a lasting relationship'? I believe so. What we are experiencing are quality improvements. Figuring good things happen in two's, I requested funds from the Board of Directors to print the journal cover in color, and presto, color it is. Now, the challenge: quality improvement in the published articles. This is a process that must remain user-friendly to the membership. Rather than reject articles with a polite thank-you note, I have vowed that we will work together with the author until the manuscript is acceptable not only from a medical and scientific point of view, but also, in good English. I do not expect this to happen overnight, but we will push hard to bring this about to achieve a first-class acupuncture journal. This journal will not be a dump-site for rejected articles from other journals. We will insist on the same rigorous, quality requirements without exceptions. Our readership must grow into this transition as the journal becomes of age.
     I have been asked my opinion whether our journal should merge with the British Medical Acupuncture Association, or whether we should stay independent. With this in mind, I have asked Dr. Russell Erickson, who has spearheaded this project, to discuss it further. Kindly read Dr. Erickson's article. As for me, I will support any endeavor with the AAMA as long as a timely publication is produced, the editing process is perfectly in a professional and expedient manner, and the process of soliciting and accepting articles remains mutually compatible.
     This current issue of the journal is rich in content. For the first time, we have many "Letters to the Editor," and more articles than we can publish. Keep it happening! And please follow "Instructions For Authors" to the letter.
     In this issue, Dr. John Chen discusses Herb-Drug Interactions. With the meeting of East and West medicine and the availability of over-the-counter drugs, physicians need to be astutely aware of untoward reactions involving multi-drug therapies with their patients. Dr. Capri-Mara Fillmore's use or a peak flow meter to measure acupuncture success in reactive airway disease may lead to other quantitative measurements to assess the immediate benefits from acupuncture to bolster subjective impressions. Dr. Bryan Frank and Dr. Nader Soliman discuss critical aspects of auricular therapy: Shen Men and changes of point locations, or Phases, due to illness progression. Dr. Allen McDaniels' article on "Continuing Medical Education (CME) and the Academy" addresses how the Academy is becoming a CME-sponsoring institution. Dr. Richard Niemtzow et al. writes about a larger group of obese patients treated with a high-protein regimen and auriculomedicine to ascertain changes in weight, triglycerides, cholesterol, heavy density lipids, and light density lipids. Dr. Lynnae Schwartz et al. explores the area of infant salivary cortisol as an indicator of stress, and its blunting by electroacupuncture. Dr. David Sniezek describes a case report dealing with a successful resolution of Bell's Palsy with acupuncture. Dr. Russ Erickson continues his line job of reviewing and presenting abstracts of current literature.
     Dr. Terry Oleson and Mr. Jim Shore are organizing an International Consensus Conference on Acupuncture, Auriculotherapy, and Auricular Medicine in Las Vegas, Nevada, August 12-15 this year. For details, Email: electro@ electrotherapy.com, or call (918) 663-0297. It appears to be a magnificent international effort to bring together the best-of-the-best world experts.
     Finally, my Air Force career necessitates that I will soon be leaving Edwards Air Force Base, California to be re-assigned. Commanders are only allowed an approximate two-year tour of duty. Happily, it is anticipated that I will be moving this summer to the United States Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California, to practice acupuncture full-time with oncology patients. This will be a wonderful and unique opportunity. Please continue to communicate with me at N5ev@aol.com, or visit my web site at http://www. N5ev.com. Furthermore, I wish to again thank Ms. Rosalyn Royal for her support and conscientious effort to bring forth a quality journal, which has certainly gone beyond the call of duty. Also, I would like to thank Mrs. Jody Gatewood for her efficient secre-tarial help with this issue.

Kindest wishes,
Richard Nierntzow, 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

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