Use Of Alternative And Complementary Medicine Increasing In The US

A new survey show that 38% of U.S. adults and 12% of U.S. children use some form of alternative or complementary medicine declares a U.S. government survey. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) can include acupuncture, acupressure, chiropractic treatment, herbal supplements, meditation and other therapies and methods. Some studies have been done and show that certain alternative medicine practices are safe while there still remains to be studies for other alternative methods and treatments. Some methods and treatments have been found to be unsafe including products that contain high levels of heavy metals. The survey for the first time asked about children's usage of alternative medicine or complementary medicine and not just the usage of adults. The percentage of usage increased from 36% in 2007 to 38% in 2008 with techniques such as deep breathing; massage therapy, meditation and yoga increasing the most.

The study also found that supplement usage has increased especially for fish oil, omega 3, DHA, glucosamine, echinacea, flaxseed oil and ginseng. The most popular alternative techniques or procedures seem to be those of deep breathing, chiropractic services, osteopathic manipulation, massage and yoga.

The usage of alternative medicine or CAM was used more often to treat pain, including the pain of arthritis, back pain, joint pain, neck pain or musculoskeletal conditions that created pain.

The techniques such as acupuncture, massage and yoga are generally considered to be safe but herbal supplements can have an adverse reaction to certain prescription medications so consumers are urged to use caution when combining prescription medications with herbal therapy or supplements.

CAM is mostly used by older and wealthier adults and women use CAM more often than men.

The products found to be used more often by the children in the survey were fish oil, omega 3, DHA, herbal therapies, flaxseed oil, prebiotics or probiotics which are foods containing supplements and chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, deep breathing or the popular yoga, especially with the teens. Children received CAM treatments mostly for chest colds, head or neck pain, musculoskeletal problems, attention deficit or hyperactivity disorders, and anxiety or stress related disorders.

Individuals seem to be drawn to alternative medicine and complementary medicine because they are interested in improving health in a natural way without the use of surgery or drugs. Individuals are looking for alternatives that do not contain toxins or other health risks just to relieve pain. People want to feel a sense of self-empowerment when it comes to taking charge of their health. One reason the tide may be turning to alternative medicine and complementary medicine is that there are more reports in the media about health problems such as childhood obesity that are grabbing the attention of parents who then seek other ways than the traditional methods of medical approach to healthcare.