"That isn't evidence-based." Maybe you've heard it from a doctor, a news story, or an insurance letter. But what makes an answer meaningful in the first place?

This week on Truth in Motion, we begin laying the foundation. In this episode, Dr. Jocelyn Michel, D.Ac-CHM, explores why we ask questions at all, what researchers count as a meaningful answer, and why research is only one way of seeing the world. She takes an honest look at manifesting and the fear that naming a problem feeds it. She asks whether suffering can ever end. And she looks at what evidence-based medicine really is, how much of medicine actually rests on strong evidence, and when "not evidence-based" is used to deny care.

Every question we ask stands on answers we've already accepted. This week, we start learning to see them.

This week's practice: pick one belief you hold about your health and ask, "Where did I get this?" and "Is it true?"

References

Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST) Investigators. (1989). Preliminary report: Effect of encainide and flecainide on mortality in a randomized trial of arrhythmia suppression after myocardial infarction. New England Journal of Medicine, 321(6), 406–412. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM198908103210629

Ebell, M. H., Sokol, R., Lee, A., Simons, C., & Early, J. (2017). How good is the evidence to support primary care practice? Evidence-Based Medicine, 22(3), 88–92. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebmed-2017-110704

Fanaroff, A. C., Califf, R. M., Windecker, S., Smith, S. C., Jr., & Lopes, R. D. (2019). Levels of evidence supporting American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology guidelines, 2008–2018. JAMA, 321(11), 1069–1080. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2019.1122

Jaeschke, R., Singer, J., & Guyatt, G. H. (1989). Measurement of health status: Ascertaining the minimal clinically important difference. Controlled Clinical Trials, 10(4), 407–415. https://doi.org/10.1016/0197-2456(89)90005-6

Levy, B. R., Slade, M. D., Kunkel, S. R., & Kasl, S. V. (2002). Longevity increased by positive self-perceptions of aging. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 83(2), 261–270. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.83.2.261

Lo, J., Long, M., Wallace, R., Salaga, M., & Pestaina, K. (2025). Claims denials and appeals in ACA Marketplace plans in 2023. KFF. https://www.kff.org/private-insurance/claims-denials-and-appeals-in-aca-marketplace-plans-in-2023/

Marshall, B. J., Armstrong, J. A., McGechie, D. B., & Glancy, R. J. (1985). Attempt to fulfil Koch's postulates for pyloric Campylobacter. Medical Journal of Australia, 142(8), 436–439.

Prasad, V., Vandross, A., Toomey, C., Cheung, M., Rho, J., Quinn, S., Chacko, S. J., Borkar, D., Gall, V., Selvaraj, S., Ho, N., & Cifu, A. (2013). A decade of reversal: An analysis of 146 contradicted medical practices. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 88(8), 790–798. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2013.05.012

Ramakrishnan, K., & Salinas, R. C. (2007). Peptic ulcer disease. American Family Physician, 76(7), 1005–1012.

Sackett, D. L., Rosenberg, W. M. C., Gray, J. A. M., Haynes, R. B., & Richardson, W. S. (1996). Evidence based medicine: What it is and what it isn't. BMJ, 312(7023), 71–72. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.312.7023.71

Slawson, D. C., Shaughnessy, A. F., & Bennett, J. H. (1994). Becoming a medical information master: Feeling good about not knowing everything. Journal of Family Practice, 38(5), 505–513.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. (2022). Some Medicare Advantage organization denials of prior authorization requests raise concerns about beneficiary access to medically necessary care (OEI-09-18-00260).

This podcast is for education and inspiration and is not medical advice. Listening does not create a practitioner-patient relationship. Dr. Jocelyn Michel, D.Ac-CHM, is licensed as an acupuncturist in Wisconsin, USA. Please talk with your own healthcare provider before making changes to your care. Guest views are their own. Some links may be affiliate links.

Full disclaimer:

https://www.healingpathacupuncture.info/legal