NAJOM Editorial March 2021
A Longer Year Than Usual
A year ago almost to the day, as our March 2020 issue came off the press, news of COVID broke. Maya Suzuki from Colorado US sparked an
“emergency issue” of NAJOM with the first of what would be dozens of articles written by our members and circulated around the world by email
– an immediate and bold response to a tiny virus threatening to bring even the most “advanced” of nations to its knees.
Acupuncturist Brenda Loew in Seattle US sent instructions on how to make a mask. Her suggestion seemed radical then, that we should all
wear masks. Her rationale for this simple defense was supported by considerable research, and a year later, her words still hold true
(www.najom.org/covid-19.html). Neurosurgeon Nagata Hiroshi of Wakayama Japan was equally uncomplicated and erudite in his “Urgent
Response.” Nasal rinsing, he said, with the easy instructions reprinted in this issue, could keep the coronavirus from getting into us. But if it
did – get into us, as Vancouver’s Mizutani Junji broadly hinted it may have gotten into him – we can minimize its impact by following the
methods outlined in the Shang Han Lun written 1,800 years ago (see NAJOM #79).
Imagine the world today if everyone, everywhere followed any or all of the above advice – advice that seems as apropos now as 12 months
ago. If we have learned anything from this pandemic, it’s that we must never underestimate the medicine we practice, for the sake of those
under our care, for the world, for ourselves.
Our NAJOM community has suffered the loss of lives and livelihoods, the grief of being oceans apart from loved ones, economic uncertainty,
and of course, concern for our patients.
Our Jenny Craig reports a dire situation for acupuncturists in Scotland. “Our Scottish government has not allowed us to work since the current
lockdown began December 28th.” Craig’s patients struggle even to get appointments with physicians. “I have heard of people pulling out their
own teeth in desperation because they couldn’t see a dentist.” As her patient told her, “We need you to work because it’s you we see to stay
well and do what the doctors can’t do.” Craig says, “I really hope the global solution will not become a continuous search for more and more
vaccines that we are persuaded to take every year, through fear.”
Acupuncturist Yaniv Richter in Israel says each day is a rollercoaster ride. Elderly patients miss appointments for fear of leaving home, others
show up with possible covid symptoms. Some are unsure about the consequences of having developed COVID. “Nonetheless, I’m optimistic
about our professional future,” he says. “More people will be looking to build physical immunity and mental resilience.”
Acupuncturist/shiatsu therapist Ted Thomas of Vancouver Canada went to Mexico last year to restore his own health and work part-time with a
community in need; travel restrictions mean he can’t return to Canada or meet his newborn grandson in Australia. He worries about his aging
Mexican clientele. “My 83-year-old patient who lives alone looks forward to a long hug before and after her treatment.”
A double tsunami struck Pamela Ferguson’s Austin Texas home – first, the pandemic, then February’s Arctic cold front. “I’ve experienced
Canadian, Swiss, British, New York and Boston winters, but nothing was like this because Texas neglected to winterize energy infrastructures.
Thousands have been without power, water, food. COVID vaccinations were put on hold. Housebound, I’ve spent my time researching the
long-term health effects of both COVID and the Arctic blast.”
Japan, home to many of our members, is also “homeland” for others worldwide now restricted from returning to care for aging or dying relatives.
Tokyo, the world’s largest city, remains in a state of emergency. At the Tokyo Medical College, Funamizu Takahiro says, “all classes except
practicums are online, and while the city’s case numbers have risen to over 500 a day, there have been none at the college.” Enomoto Hiroshi
of Sankei Tokyo writes that “Tokyo is becoming more serious about bringing numbers down so businesses can return to normal. The hope is
vaccinations will be a solution. A concern now is the Tokyo Olympics. Most people see it as a lost cause, but are afraid to admit it.” Are people
reaching a limit to their endurance? Honda Susumu says, “There has been an increase in patients at my clinic. It seems many people are
stressed and getting burnt out.”
Even in New Zealand, which enjoys greater freedoms than almost anywhere due to its low rate of COVID infections, there is frustration. Linda
Platt, librarian for the New Zealand College of Chinese Medicine in Auckland, says the capital has recently undergone a series of stringent
lockdowns. “But most of us continue to remember that NZ is in a very lucky position right now and will do all we can to keep us on track.” She
adds, “It is also very helpful during lockdowns to be able to refer library users to NAJOM’s PDF issues in our catalogue.”
Now, as winter eases into spring and yin to yang as it always does, we can hope for positive change. Our thanks to Bob Quinn for suggesting
this issue’s apt theme, to Merlin Young for tying everything together and giving us a roadmap, to Nagata Hiroshi for sharing brilliant methods we
can all use, and to Shudo Sensei for pointing to the sunlight filtering through the trees. Thanks to each of our contributors, translators, editors,
and technical helpers for creating this important and useful issue.
Please consider our next issue’s theme (deadline May 10): The treatment of issues that appear to be all in our head – stress, anxiety, fear,
depression, other effects of trauma. How do you navigate the boundaries between conscious, sub-conscious, or unconscious causes and
effects, between manifestations in the body and mind?
Finally, unavoidably, NAJOM’s membership and subscription fees, covering only production and mailing costs (no labour), are increasing this
year. By now, you will have received our email notice. We are extremely grateful for your contribution in this manner to our global effort. Also
please contact us to skip the paper and receive your issues in digital format only.
Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe,
Cheryl Coull, editor
A Longer Year Than Usual
A year ago almost to the day, as our March 2020 issue came off the press, news of COVID broke. Maya Suzuki from Colorado US sparked an
“emergency issue” of NAJOM with the first of what would be dozens of articles written by our members and circulated around the world by email
– an immediate and bold response to a tiny virus threatening to bring even the most “advanced” of nations to its knees.
Acupuncturist Brenda Loew in Seattle US sent instructions on how to make a mask. Her suggestion seemed radical then, that we should all
wear masks. Her rationale for this simple defense was supported by considerable research, and a year later, her words still hold true
(www.najom.org/covid-19.html). Neurosurgeon Nagata Hiroshi of Wakayama Japan was equally uncomplicated and erudite in his “Urgent
Response.” Nasal rinsing, he said, with the easy instructions reprinted in this issue, could keep the coronavirus from getting into us. But if it
did – get into us, as Vancouver’s Mizutani Junji broadly hinted it may have gotten into him – we can minimize its impact by following the
methods outlined in the Shang Han Lun written 1,800 years ago (see NAJOM #79).
Imagine the world today if everyone, everywhere followed any or all of the above advice – advice that seems as apropos now as 12 months
ago. If we have learned anything from this pandemic, it’s that we must never underestimate the medicine we practice, for the sake of those
under our care, for the world, for ourselves.
Our NAJOM community has suffered the loss of lives and livelihoods, the grief of being oceans apart from loved ones, economic uncertainty,
and of course, concern for our patients.
Our Jenny Craig reports a dire situation for acupuncturists in Scotland. “Our Scottish government has not allowed us to work since the current
lockdown began December 28th.” Craig’s patients struggle even to get appointments with physicians. “I have heard of people pulling out their
own teeth in desperation because they couldn’t see a dentist.” As her patient told her, “We need you to work because it’s you we see to stay
well and do what the doctors can’t do.” Craig says, “I really hope the global solution will not become a continuous search for more and more
vaccines that we are persuaded to take every year, through fear.”
Acupuncturist Yaniv Richter in Israel says each day is a rollercoaster ride. Elderly patients miss appointments for fear of leaving home, others
show up with possible covid symptoms. Some are unsure about the consequences of having developed COVID. “Nonetheless, I’m optimistic
about our professional future,” he says. “More people will be looking to build physical immunity and mental resilience.”
Acupuncturist/shiatsu therapist Ted Thomas of Vancouver Canada went to Mexico last year to restore his own health and work part-time with a
community in need; travel restrictions mean he can’t return to Canada or meet his newborn grandson in Australia. He worries about his aging
Mexican clientele. “My 83-year-old patient who lives alone looks forward to a long hug before and after her treatment.”
A double tsunami struck Pamela Ferguson’s Austin Texas home – first, the pandemic, then February’s Arctic cold front. “I’ve experienced
Canadian, Swiss, British, New York and Boston winters, but nothing was like this because Texas neglected to winterize energy infrastructures.
Thousands have been without power, water, food. COVID vaccinations were put on hold. Housebound, I’ve spent my time researching the
long-term health effects of both COVID and the Arctic blast.”
Japan, home to many of our members, is also “homeland” for others worldwide now restricted from returning to care for aging or dying relatives.
Tokyo, the world’s largest city, remains in a state of emergency. At the Tokyo Medical College, Funamizu Takahiro says, “all classes except
practicums are online, and while the city’s case numbers have risen to over 500 a day, there have been none at the college.” Enomoto Hiroshi
of Sankei Tokyo writes that “Tokyo is becoming more serious about bringing numbers down so businesses can return to normal. The hope is
vaccinations will be a solution. A concern now is the Tokyo Olympics. Most people see it as a lost cause, but are afraid to admit it.” Are people
reaching a limit to their endurance? Honda Susumu says, “There has been an increase in patients at my clinic. It seems many people are
stressed and getting burnt out.”
Even in New Zealand, which enjoys greater freedoms than almost anywhere due to its low rate of COVID infections, there is frustration. Linda
Platt, librarian for the New Zealand College of Chinese Medicine in Auckland, says the capital has recently undergone a series of stringent
lockdowns. “But most of us continue to remember that NZ is in a very lucky position right now and will do all we can to keep us on track.” She
adds, “It is also very helpful during lockdowns to be able to refer library users to NAJOM’s PDF issues in our catalogue.”
Now, as winter eases into spring and yin to yang as it always does, we can hope for positive change. Our thanks to Bob Quinn for suggesting
this issue’s apt theme, to Merlin Young for tying everything together and giving us a roadmap, to Nagata Hiroshi for sharing brilliant methods we
can all use, and to Shudo Sensei for pointing to the sunlight filtering through the trees. Thanks to each of our contributors, translators, editors,
and technical helpers for creating this important and useful issue.
Please consider our next issue’s theme (deadline May 10): The treatment of issues that appear to be all in our head – stress, anxiety, fear,
depression, other effects of trauma. How do you navigate the boundaries between conscious, sub-conscious, or unconscious causes and
effects, between manifestations in the body and mind?
Finally, unavoidably, NAJOM’s membership and subscription fees, covering only production and mailing costs (no labour), are increasing this
year. By now, you will have received our email notice. We are extremely grateful for your contribution in this manner to our global effort. Also
please contact us to skip the paper and receive your issues in digital format only.
Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe,
Cheryl Coull, editor
Information on COVID 19
Below are the official communications from the World Federation of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Societies (WFAS), in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO)
| guidelines_on_acupuncture_and_moxibustion_intervention_for_covid-19__second_edition_.pdf |
| recommandations_sur_lutilisation_de_lacupuncture_et_de_la_moxibustion_dans_le_traitement_du_covid-19.pdf |
| pautas_sobre_el_uso_de_acupuntura_y_moxibustión_para_tratar_el_covid-19.pdf |
| 新型冠状病毒肺炎诊疗方案试行第七版中医方案部分diagnosis_and_treatment_protocol_for_covid-19_chapter_of_tcm_.pdf |
| 新型冠状病毒肺炎针灸干预的指导意见（第二版）.pdf |
NAJOM’s Global Community Working Together
Here are some of the responses NAJOM members have sent in on dealing with the Coronavirus.
Here are some of the responses NAJOM members have sent in on dealing with the Coronavirus.
| Member_responses_handling_the_coronavirus.docx |
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