The demand for alternative health care is rising, according to two recent surveys. Both surveys indicated a high number of Americans are using alternative health care treatments and would like to see such treatments covered by their health care plans.

Researchers at Kaiser Permanente, in northern California, found that 90% of the plan’s primary health care doctors had recommended or used alternative therapies during the past year for pain management. And, nearly 50% of the plan’s members had at least tried one type of alternative therapy.

The study showed the most common types of alternative therapy included Chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy and relaxation techniques. Members indicated they would like to see these treatments covered in health care benefits.

In a study conducted at the Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention, 69% of 1,000 participants had used some form of alternative therapy in the past year; 56% believed the health care plan should cover these treatments.

The studies also found that members who use Chiropractic, 64% did so in place of traditional medicine. And, 81% felt that Chiropractic cured or relieved symptoms significantly.

SOURCE: “Two more surveys show demand for alternative care is rising, American Chiropractic Association, www.amerchiro.org; February 2001.