We are thrilled to bring you this issue of the Journal of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (JAIM), formerly the California Journal of Oriental Medicine (CJOM).
As acupuncture finds its way into more hospitals and integrative medical settings, patient-focused care is no longer an ideal, but a new – and refreshing – reality. Patients are beginning to rely not just on their doctor, but on a healthcare team, which may include a nutritionist, therapist, acupuncturist, chiropractor, and naturopath, just to name a few.
Last Fall, our editorial team sat down to decide how we would bring this expanded thinking to CJOM. The answers were clear: First, to introduce more integrative medical content, thereby drawing in readers from across all medical professions. Second, we would give CJOM a fresh look and feel that was modern yet medical, while acknowledging our 20+ years in publication. Third, we would choose a name that reflects the move towards integration.
As you know, our country is facing an epidemic of mass proportion: the over-use, over-prescription, and overdosing of opioids. We have devoted this issue to answering the question of how acupuncture and herbal medicine can address pain management and the opioid crisis. The authors contained herein have written incredible articles detailing both their research and their experiences. We hope you learn from them and can apply what you learn to your own practices.
Acupuncture medicine has such a rich, detailed history and the best way to continue that history is to share our knowledge freely and willingly!
In health,
Dr. Jordan Wheeler, L.Ac. & Jessica Wakeman Co-Editors-in-Chief
