Self-help alternatives rise

Self-help alternatives rise. Interest in alternative therapies like energy healing and relaxation has declined, while practices that have more scientific validity and that depend on practitioners who are licensed and regulated, such as acupuncture, are more popular, according to a new survey. Consumers' use of alternative and complementary self-care therapies has increased, while visits to complementary health-care professionals has decreased. The National Institutes of Health survey is the first in 10 years to assess Americans' interest in herbal and homeopathic treatments, energy healing, acupuncture, tai chi and other healing practices. Researchers surveyed more than 75,000 adults in 2007. About 38 percent said they had used some form of complementary medicine for preventive health purposes or to treat a disease or condition.

Complementary medicine makes up just 1.5 percent of U.S. health care expenditures, but it accounts for 11.2 percent of total out-of-pocket spending. Of the $33.9 billion spent out of pocket on complementary medicine, most was for self-care products, such as classes, products and materials. Los Angeles Times