Alternative Medicine Increasing by the Numbers

With the cost of conventional health care rising not to mention increasing negative effects from medications more Americans are opting for alternative medicine practices.

A new study has revealed between the years 2002 and 2007, alternative therapies (CAM) have been on the up rise. The numbers have indicated increases of 18.1% among Caucasians, 17.2 among Asians, 6.6% among African American and one percent among Hispanics.

Alternative medicine is home to numerous therapies including yoga, herbal, Bio feed back, Bach Flower remedies, Tai Chi and many more.

The study had suggested these therapies had been sought out when their conventional medical care was restricted however, other reasons have included conventional medical care was not met or their was a delay in receiving care.

Researcher Dejun Su, director of the South Texas Border Health Disparities Center at the University of Texas, Pan-American stated over the course of time we are witnessing an increase in health care costs in America. A lot of people cannot afford the raising costs of health care, so people may turn to alternative medicine.

Researchers analyzed from 2002 and 2007, National Health Interview Survey. The survey is a national model questionnaire which gathers information on health behaviors, access and usage of health care.

In 2007, around one third of Caucasians had used at least one alternative therapy, along with 31.8% of Asian Americans, 20% African Americans and 16.9% Hispanic Americans. Prayer was not included as a therapy by researchers.

The use of alternative medicine was associated to medical care needs not being met and delayed medical care due to cost.

Other explanations for the up rising trend have been increased knowledge of therapies along with the fact more and more states are now licensing these therapies.

There has been sound evidence in the treatment of alternative medicine in treating a variety of conditions and diseases.

Such notations on alternative treatments have included briefly the following:

Chiropractic

Chiropractic has been found to be cost effective for treating chronic back pain. Could aide children with learning disorders and more parents use it to control their children's asthma.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been found to help children with lazy eye, can increase success rates for women to become pregnant that undergone fertility treatments, and can reduce hot flashes.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy has been noted to aide children in pain with Sickle Cell disease, aides in improving mood and decreases pain in advanced cancer patients and has aided with osteoarthritis patients.

There are dozens of case sites showing the benefits of alternative medicine.

When choosing an alternative practitioner make sure you feel you can communicate with them just the same as a conventional practitioner so your concerns are answered and your needs are met. Sources:

My Health News Daily

Web MD

Medical News Today