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September 27, 2004
More Doctors Embracing Complementary Medicine
In a 2002 survey of US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-third of American adults are using complementary or alternative therapies. Many US doctors are becoming more open to the use of complementary therapies even before some have completed clinical trials, such as glucosamine and chondroitin (currently in clinical trials) for joint repair.
Overall, the CDC survey showed that CAM use in the United States is highest among women, educated people, individuals who have recently been hospitalized and former smokers.
The most common conditions for which CAM is used include back problems, colds, neck problems, joint pain or stiffness, and anxiety or depression.
"I estimate that close to 80 percent of Americans are using something that until very recently would not be considered as a conventional approach to a disease or health condition," he said. "This includes dietary approaches, as well as vitamin and mineral supplements, massage and many other CAM practices that are becoming too widely used and integrated into mainstream practice to be considered 'alternative.' "
Posted by linda at September 27, 2004 11:17 AM
