The question should almost be—who isn’t? Anyone who takes herbs or dietary supplements, goes to a chiropractor, or tries various relaxation techniques to reduce stress is using complementary therapies.

According to a 2002 government survey, 36 percent of U.S. adults use some form of CAM. When prayer specifically for health reasons is included in the definition of CAM, the number rises to 62 percent.

Even as far back as 1997, Americans made more visits to complementary and alternative practitioners than to primary care physicians (629 million complementary visits compared to 386 million primary care visits.) (Eisenberg and al, 1998.)

What complementary therapies are most popular?

When prayer is included as a complementary therapy, mind-body therapies and practices are the most commonly used at 53%. Then comes biologically-based therapies (botanical medicines) at 22% and manipulative and body-based therapies (for example massage) at 11%.

So don’t feel alone as you explore complementary therapies—there are lots of people to talk to and lots of resources to explore!

References

2002 government survey on CAM usage at http://nccam.nih.gov/news/camstats.htm [0]

Eisenberg, D. M., Davis, R. B., Ettner, S. L., Appel, S., Wilkey, S., Van Rompay, M., & Kessler, R. C. (1998). Trends in alternative medicine use in the United States, 1990-1997: results of a follow-up national survey. Jama, 280(18), 1569-1575.

Expert contributor: Mary Jo Kreitzer, Ph.D., R.N. [0]
Created: March 2006

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