Evidence Based Oriental Medicine

What’s evidence-based medicine?

Evidence-based medicine is about the integrating of practitioner’s clinical expertise with external evidence for the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment. The external evidence means clinically relevant research, especially from patient centered clinical research. External clinical evidence also could update previously accepted diagnosis and treatments with new ones that are more accurate,
more efficacious, and safer.

What’s Oriental Medicine?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was derived from the ancient people’s fighting of diseases with any accessible tools, including sharp rock (origination of acupuncture) and a variety of plants (origination of herbal medicine). The summary of experience of that kind of practice for around 4,000 years, incorporated with early philosophy and science, has formed the techniques and theory of TCM. As the only medical service available until 19th century, TCM has saved/extended the life of millions of Chinese people.

Contemporary Chinese Medicine has been striving to integrate the knowledge and methods of modern biomedical sciences. With the diligent endeavor of millions of practitioners, scientists, and educators; currently Chinese Medicine is playing an almost equivalent role as Western Medicine for the health care of 1.4 billion Chinese. As a critical and essential part of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), Oriental medicine (mainly acupuncture and herbal medicine) has been spread to more than 100 countries including US. According a national survey of 75,764 Americans conducted by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC), 38.3% US adults used at least one type of CAM therapy in 2007.

In United States, Oriental medicine refers to a sophisticated form of medicine that is comprised of many systematic techniques and methods, including Chinese acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Therapeutic Message, Qigong/Taichi; with the theoretic guidance of meridians.

How does acupuncture feel?

At the time the needle is inserted, one may feel slight pain. While the needles remain inserted, for approximately 20 minutes, the patient may feel some numbness, heaviness, distention, tingling, or an electrical sensation either around the needle or traveling up or down the affected meridian, or energy pathway. In any case, if you experience any discomfort after the treatment, it is usually mild and short term. Because the purpose of acupuncture is to balance your body, there are no long-term negative side effects. On the contrary, relaxation and a sense of well-being often occur during and after treatment. Many patients fall asleep while the needles are inserted because of this sense of relaxation and balance.

How many acupuncture treatment will I need?

The number of treatments depends upon the duration, severity, and nature of your complaint. You may need only a single treatment for an acute condition or a series of five to ten treatments may resolve many chronic problems. Some conditions may require more treatments over time, as well as Chinese herbs and dietary changes.

What should I anticipate the cost of a visit to Evidence-based Oriental Medicine?

The charge at Evidence-based Oriental Medicine clinic is very reasonable and competitive. Please inquiry about more information during your visit.

Does my insurance cover services provided at Evidence-based Oriental Medicine?

There are several insurance plans in South Dakota that cover acupuncture (and/or related) service, but benefits policy vary from company to company. Although we will fill out insurance forms, the patient is personally responsible for payment of services rendered. We do accept insurance assignments but all insurance arrangements must be approved in advance.

Do you accept credit card for payment? 

Yes. We accept Master and Visa credit card, also we accept cash and check payment. Payment is due at the time of services.