Over a third of Americans use CAM therapies

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According to a US government survey released this month, approximately 38% of US adults and 12% of US children used CAM therapies in 2007.

CAM use by U.S. adults and children: in 2002, 36% of adults used CAM. In 2007, that number increased to 38.3%, while 11.8% of children used it.This 2007 survey marks the first time the National Institutes of Health have collected statistics about CAM usage among children, 1 in 9 of whom use CAM therapies. It is a rich source of information about how Americans use CAM therapies and why they use them.

The 24-page report is available for download at:

Barnes PM, Bloom B, Nahin R. CDC National Health Statistics Report #12. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Adults and Children: United States, 2007. December 10, 2008.

While the 2007 report reveals that overall use of CAM therapies among adults is similar to the 2002 data, use of some specific CAM therapies (such as deep breathing, meditation, massage therapy, and yoga) has increased significantly.

Most adults used CAM therapies to alleviate musculoskeletal pain and stiffness, primarily in joints, the neck and shoulder area, and the back. Use of CAM for head and chest colds is down: 2.0% of 2007 respondents used CAM approaches, compared to 9.5% in 2002.

CAM usage was more prevalent:

  • among women (42.8% vs 33.5% for men)
  • among people between the ages of 30 and 70(30-39 years: 39.6%, 40-49 years: 40.1%, 50-59 years: 44.1& and 60-69 years: 41.0%)
  • among people with higher levels of education (Masters, doctorate or professional: 55.4%)
  • among the more affluent members of society (poor: 28.9%, near poor: 30.9%, not poor: 43.3%)
  • among ex-smokers (48.1%)

There are 10 therapies listed, the most common being natural products (used by 17.7%), followed by a group of therapies (deep breathing, meditation, chiropractic & osteopathy, massage) ranging from 12.7% to 8.3%, and the remainder (yoga, diet-based therapies, progressive relaxation, guided imagery, homeopathic treatment) from 6.1% to 1.8%.

The survey also examined which types of CAM therapies are most used by American adults and children.

  • Deep breathing (was 11.6% in 2002, is 12.7% in 2007); meditation (was 7.6%, is 9.4%); massage (was 5.0%, is 8.3%); yoga (was 5.1%, is 6.1%).Nonvitamin, nonmineral natural products (adults 17.7%, children 3.9%)Among adults, the most common were: fish oil/omega 3/DHA, glucosamine, echinacea, flaxseed oil or pills, and ginseng3. The most common for children were: echinacea, fish oil/omega 3/DHA, combination herb pill, flaxseed oil or pills, and prebiotics or probiotics.
  • Deep breathing exercises (adults 12.7%, children 2.2%)
  • Meditation (adults 9.4%)
  • Chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation (adults 8.6%, children 2.8%)
  • Massage (adults 8.3%)
  • Yoga (adults 6.1%, children 2.1%)

Do these findings fit with what you have observed in your practice? Do they reflect what you, your friends and your family do? What CAM experiences have the children in your life had?