More Adults and Children Now Choose Mind-Body Practices

Mind-Body-Spirit News:

Mind-body practices are growing in popularity in the United States, according to a report released by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [CAM]. The overall percentage of American adults using CAM seems to have stabilized over the past 5 years—nudging up just two percentage points, from 36% in 2002 to 38% in 2007. However, the mind-body practices of deep breathing, meditation, massage therapy and yoga all show significant increases in adult participation:

deep breathing exercises: 12.7% in 2007, up from 12% in 2002
meditation: 9.4% in 2007, up from 8% in 2002
massage therapy: 8.3% in 2007, up from 5% in 2002
yoga: 6.1% in 2007, up from 5% in 2002

The report also sheds light on CAM use among children, whose behaviors were included in the survey for the first time. Twelve percent of American children, about 1 in 9, use some form of CAM. Children are five times more likely to use CAM therapies if their parents or other relatives use it. About 2.1% of children participated in yoga, while 2.2% practiced deep breathing exercises.

To read the full report (CDC National Health Statistics Report #12, “Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Adults and Children: United States, 2007,” released in December 2008), go to http://nccam.nih.gov/news/camstats.htm.