Increase In Integrative Medicine

By Casey Wonnenberg, Keloland TV

When you're dealing with pain, nasal congestion or stomach problems, you likely turn to medication for help. But a growing number of area people are seeking relief through integrative medicine.

Sixty-five-year-old David Swenson is uses acupuncture to help battle his pain and increase his strength.

"Sometimes my gait and walking and my grip are diminished," Swenson said.

The Beaver Creek man is not alone. More people are coming to Avera's Integrative Medicine Center. In fact, Avera just recently hired a full-time doctor, Dr. Sally Williams, to just help patients with alternative medicine.

"It looks at the person as a whole and addresses mind, body and spirit rather than just focusing on a specific disease or condition," Williams said.

Acupuncture is just one of the services offered at Avera Integrative Medicine. Others include aromatherapy, relaxation classes and massages.

"A lot of therapies that are found through integrative medicine have little side effects and people are interested in things they can do to help themselves get better," Williams said.

Williams says another reason more people are turning to services like this is because they're all natural. While some are skeptical of integrative medicine, Williams says she's seen the results first-hand.

"On a daily basis I'm always amazed at how people are getting better and feeling better and it's a really neat part of my job," Williams said.

"The one that improves the fastest is when she puts the needles in my sinuses. That's almost an instant relief from the swelling," Swenson said.

Swenson says when he walks out of an acupuncture session, he feels the results for almost a week.

"I can walk longer and stronger than I did when I first started treatment," Swenson said.

Avera’s Integrative Medicine program is at the Prairie Center in Sioux Falls.

Acupuncture costs approximately $60 per session. Your insurance could cover the cost.

Massages range from $45 to $65 and retail aromatherapy oils cost anywhere from $5.95 per bottle to $12.95 per bottle. Herbs and supplements are also available.

You can also take part in relaxation classes, which cost $30 for a six-punch punch card or $50 for 12 classes.

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