A recent study published in JAMA shows a big shift in the use of complementary health approaches by American adults over the past two decades.
This analysis, utilizing data from the 2002, 2012, and 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), shos a growing trend towards alternative health practices, particularly in the realm of pain management.
The study focused on seven key complementary health approaches: yoga, meditation, massage therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, naturopathy, and guided imagery/progressive muscle relaxation.
The findings present a clear picture of changing health behaviors among Americans:
Increased Use of Complementary Approaches: The proportion of individuals using at least one of these approaches rose dramatically from 19.2% in 2002 to 36.7% in 2022.
Significant Growth in Specific Practices: Among these, yoga, meditation, and massage therapy saw the most notable increases.
Yoga usage climbed from 5% in 2002 to 15.8% in 2022, while meditation became the most popular approach in 2022, jumping from 7.5% to 17.3% over the two decades.
Acupuncture Gains Popularity: Acupuncture, increasingly recognized by insurance coverage, also experienced growth, from 1% in 2002 to 2.2% in 2022.
Complementary Approaches for Pain Management: The study observed a considerable rise in the use of these approaches for pain management.
In 2022, nearly half of the participants (49.2%) utilizing these methods reported doing so for pain management, up from 42.3% in 2002.
The study’s findings also reflect broader trends in healthcare, including the influence of higher-quality research validating the efficacy of these complementary approaches, their integration into clinical practice guidelines for pain management, and expanded insurance coverage for certain methods like acupuncture.
These factors have likely played a big role in increasing patient access and acceptance of these alternative health practices.
Overall, this study highlights a substantial shift in the healthcare landscape, with more Americans turning to complementary health approaches.
This change points towards a broader acceptance and integration of alternative health practices in the U.S., reflecting evolving perceptions and experiences of healthcare and wellness.
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