Medical treatments that date back as far as 5,000 years are finding a place in Houston’s modern practices.

“Houston is starting to open its mind to it. You still have to educate in Houston,” says Sheri Davidson, a licensed acupuncturist who practices oriental medicine at Element 5 OM, located in Suite 120 at 2503 Robinhood in Rice Village.

Davidson, who received a master’s degree from the Academy of Oriental Medicine in Austin, practices acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine as well as cupping, Zen, Shiatsu and healthy lifestyles consulting.

Oriental medicine takes a holistic approach and is useful to treat a whole host of ailments, including pain and sports-related injuries, fertility issues, digestive disorders, even allergies, Davidson said.

“It’s good medicine — we just have to show the world,” she said.

A native of the Humble and the Atascosita area (she graduated from Humble High School), Davidson received a bachelor of fine arts degree from University of Houston and spent four years as a corporate interior designer before a martial arts instructor got her interested in Eastern philosophy and medicine.

Her scholarship included a six-week internship at Cheng Du University in China. She also worked at a herbal pharmacy in Austin.

Davidson is aware of the limitations of her practice and said she is honest with her patients about what can be accomplished with oriental medicince. But, she said, about 80 percent of patients get good results. Treatments for pain and fertility issues is covered by some insurance policies, she added.

Davidson is currently trying to connect with traditional medical doctors “because I want to take on an integrated approach as well.”

Written By: Robin Foster (Houston Chronicle)