Complementary and alternative medicine and therapies have existed for centuries and continue to be practiced today. Treatments include a range of health practices and products from dietary supplements to acupuncture. Some people use these medicines and therapies to treat specific diseases and health conditions, and others use them for holistic or spiritual reasons. Although studies have shown that some complementary and alternative medicine and therapies are effective for certain indications, the effectiveness of most of these therapies has not yet been shown scientifically.

The top 6 complementary and alternative medicines and therapies among American adults in 2007 are:

1. Dietary supplements (17.7% of people): These include a range of herbs, botanicals, vitamins, and minerals such as fish oil, glucosamine, and Echinacea.


2. Deep breathing exercises (12.7%): These exercises involve slow and deep inhalation and exhalation. Deep breathing is believed to relieve stress and provide relaxation.


3. Meditation (9.4%): This ancient discipline has its origins in Eastern spiritual teachings. People are taught to focus their minds to achieve a heightened sense of awareness, tranquility, and balance.


4. Chiropractic treatment (8.6%): Chiropractors attempt to modify the spine and joints to help relieve pain and improve well-being. Common indications are for the back, headaches, and other injuries.


5. Massage (8.3%): Massage therapists knead muscles and tendons to improve function of connective tissues and to promote calmness and pain relief.


6. Yoga (6.1%: Many types of yoga involve controlled breathing, stretching, and meditation to achieve balance physically, mentally, and spiritually.

For additional information, join the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Support Group on Healia Communities


_{Source: CDC, National Health Statistics Reports, No. 12, based on data from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey conducted by the CDC; http://nccam.nih.gov/news/2008/nhsr12.pdf}

_{Photo: judepics, Flickr, Creative Commons}