For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is tracking the top complementary and alternative medicines and therapies for children. The CDC collects data on complementary and alternative medicine usage through the Adult and Child Complementary and Alternative Medicine questionnaire in the National Health Interview Survey. The most recent survey results are from 2007 and include questions answered by adults on behalf of children aged 0 to 17. The results show that children whose parents practiced complementary and alternative medicine were nearly twice as likely to use complementary and alternative medicines as other children.

The top 5 complementary and alternative medicines and therapies among American children in 2007 are:

1. Dietary supplements (3.9% of children): These include a range of herbs, botanicals, vitamins, and minerals such as fish oil, glucosamine, and Echinacea


2. Chiropractic treatment (2.8%): Chiropractors attempt to modify the spine and joints to help relieve pain and improve well-being. Common indications are back pain, headaches, and other injuries.


3. Deep breathing exercises (2.2%): These exercises involve slow and deep inhalation and exhalation. Deep breathing is believed to relieve stress and provide relaxation.


4. Yoga (2.1%): Many types of yoga involve controlled breathing, stretching, and meditation to achieve balance physically, mentally, and spiritually.


5. Homeopathic treatment (1.3%): homeopathy recommends that people treat symptoms using a diluted form of a substance that causes those same symptoms. Homeopathic medicines may include natural materials like plants and minerals.

Related blog post: The Top 6 Complementary and Alternative Medicines and Therapies among Adults

_{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: Autumm, FLickr, Creative Commons}