In the 2002 study, prayer took 3 of the top 10 spots, but the 2007 study uses a new definition of CAM that excludes prayer, considering it religious healing. This has bumped other therapies up the list, even though the same number of adults are using them:
1. Nonvitamin, Nonmineral Natural Products (17.7%)
This category refers to dietary supplements taken by mouth, including herbs, animal-based supplements like glucosamine and fish oil and "functional foods" such as garlic. In 2007, the most popular were fish oils/omega 3, glucosamine, echinacea, and flaxseed.
2. Deep Breathing Exercises (12.7%)
Deep breathing exercises are an effective way to relax, slow your heart and reduce stress. They can be used anytime, anywhere and combined with other techniques, like guided imagery and progressive relaxation. Adults using deep breathing exercises increased by 1.1 percentage points from 2002 to 2007.
3. Meditation (9.4%)
Meditation techniques vary, but in most you focus inward or on a single thought or object as you attempt to clear your mind. This study provides separate statistics for moving meditation styles Qi Gong, Tai Chi and Yoga. Use of meditation increased 1.8 percentage points from 2002.
4. Chiropractic or Osteopathic Manipulation (8.6%)
Both chiropractic and osteopathy are over 100 years old, and traditionalists in both disciplines consider them full-body systems for treating all medical conditions. Many clients use them exclusively for treating back pain, neck pain and headaches, though, and some chiropractors focus only on these symptoms.
5. Yoga (6.1%)
In this study, yoga means the practice of asanas (postures) for exercise as well as meditation. There are many styles of this moving meditation, from the original Hatha yoga developed in 15th century India to modern Bikram yoga, a set of 26 postures done in a heated room and copyrighted in 2002.
6. Massage (8.3%)
In 2007, massage use increased 3.3 percentage points from 2002, and The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine reported that massage was the most used CAM modality in hospitals. Massage consistently lowers heart rates, stress levels and pain.
7. Diet-Based Therapies (3.6%)
Vegetarian and Atkins diets remained most popular, although their use is down slightly since 2002. The South Beach diet was third most popular in 2007; it was not included in the 2002 study. Use of macrobiotic and Zone diets decreased slightly from 2002.
8. Progressive Relaxation (2.9%)
In progressive relaxation, you consciously relax each part of the body, usually working up from the toes. Progressive relaxation can be combined with deep breathing exercises and guided imagery. The reclassification of prayer moved progressive relaxation into the top 10 CAM techniques.
9. Guided Imagery (2.2%)
Guided imagery usually means detailed visualization of a peaceful place; stress, pain or a physical problem leaving the body; or a symbolic stressor being reduced or removed. Guided imagery can also be used to explore your subconscious mind and combined with progressive relaxation and deep breathing exercises.
10. Homeopathic Treatment (1.8%)
In homeopathy, a sick person’s symptoms are treated with a substance that causes those same symptoms in a healthy person. Highly diluted doses of the curative substances are consumed in order to trigger the body’s own healing processes. Developed in Germany, homeopathy came to the United States in 1825.
What about Reiki? Energy healing therapy, including Reiki, continues to be used by 0.5% of adults. Removing prayer and megavitamin therapy from the survey moved energy healing therapy up from 18th place in 2002 to 14th place in 2007. Clearly there's room for improvement, so tell your friends about Erik LaBelle, Reiki Master/Teacher. Ask them to call Erik at 312-504-7693 today!
Anna Schibrowsky
Chicago Healing Studio
*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. Available at http://nccam.nih.gov/news/camstats/2007/index.htm