DAVID MARKS, MD: Let's talk about acupuncture to start. Does it work?
IFEOMA OKORONKWO, MD: Yes it does. Every day I'm increasingly surprised as to how well it works, particularly to address pain issues and arthritis pain.
As you may or may not know, acupuncture is a very old tradition, over 2,500 years old. It's roots lay in a philosophy based on Taoism. Taoism says, briefly, that we are one with nature. As one, as a unit, when there is a pathology or pathologic factor inside us or even outside of us, grief, trauma, this can translate into imbalance in that unity. Acupuncture seeks to diagnose the imbalance, and through stimulation of various points in the body, heals that imbalance.
DAVID MARKS, MD: A lot of people, I think, may have the impression that acupuncture hurts because they are being stuck with needles.
IFEOMA OKORONKWO, MD: I do have some tools here. I will say that no it doesn't hurt, but you do feel it. There is a sensation that we call "chi" that upon insertion of a needle into an acu-point, you feel the initial little prick. It's negligible for most. But then you feel a sensation, and that sensation can range anywhere from a warmth, an electricity, even an achy-ness. But ultimately, people feel this almost elation, and somewhat of a surprise based on the stimulation of that point, particularly important points to the Chinese diagnosis.
