Medical Acupuncture
A Journal For Physicians By Physicians

Spring / Summer 2000- Volume 12 / Number 2
"Aurum Nostrum Non Est Aurum Vulgi"

EDITORIAL

Why Do Acupuncture Points Exist?

    All living cells have transmembrane electrical potentials that reflect a dynamic electrical kinetic state of the cell. These tiny electrical potentials ranging from plus or minus 10-3 to 10-9 volts are part of a complex communication system. The membrane is constantly in fluid flux with respect to certain thermodynamic states proper to its specific metabolism and interfacial environment. That these signals may have pathways other than our nervous system may not be at all surprising, and that these signals may depend on energy not necessarily electromagnetic to move and communicate with the body is certainly a feasible possibility. Mechanical disturbances of a needle at the acupuncture point ruptures cell membranes and causes cellular death. However, it appears that such a disturbance produces a beneficial clinical manifestation when a pathological state exists. It is certainly possible that the receptor effect at the damaged membrane site at an acupuncture point must have other initiation properties in addition to electrical. An electron moving through a medium generates a magnetic field. And the signature of an electron can be characterized by its magnetic field. The unknown energy moving through a meridian when stimulated at the acupuncture point may leave its signature in the same way by means of an electrical signature, but still does not tell us of its true nature.
    As our scientific technology continues to develop, our understanding of acupuncture points and mechanisms will be more readily understood. Nevertheless, we witness the effects of these points in their ability to modify pathological disease states. Through the benefit of clinical observations, we become humbled at the task that lies ahead of us to better understand the science and the art that we employ. Whether the end result is an explanation through quantum mechanics or some other yet undiscovered mechanism remains to be seen. The Medical Acupuncture journal is an extension of our immediate efforts to understand. This journal must also have its own rules and meet international requirements to exist in a manner that reflects the highest standards and qualities of you, the reader. Thus, in time, through the efforts of our journal that publishes your observations and insights, we may be better prepared to answer why acupuncture points exist.
    The Editor-in-Chief again thanks Roz Royal for all her hard work in keeping the journal on course, publication dates on target, and interacting with the membership to keep things rolling. Stacy Christiansen and Waine MacAllister have greatly supported this effort and receive my thanks and appreciation. Also, my gratitude to the Editorial Board for their efforts to assist in the further modification of "Instructions for Authors," and for a critical review of the journal as we prepare to submit the National Library of Medicine Indexing application.

- Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, PhD, MPH
Editor-in-Chief

EDITOR INFORMATION
Dr Richard Niemtzow is a Colonel in the United States Air Force (USAF), on loan to the U.S. Navy for a special acupuncture project. Dr Niemtzow is the first physician practicing acupuncture full-time at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California, with special interest in oncology.

Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, PhD, MPH
1835 E Main St
El Cajon, CA 92021-5255
Phone: 619-447-6806
Fax: 619-447-6881
E-mail: N5EV@aol.com

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