• An OSU study found that 71 percent of older adults used some form of complementary and alternative healthcare in 2000. A study done in 2002, found about 62 percent of all adults use some form of complementary and alternative healthcare.

• Dr. James Gordon, director of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine and the chairperson of the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Policy, said "Almost half of all Americans implement some form of complementary and alternative medicine as part of their healthcare." He noted that 69 percent of cancer patients are using these therapies, and 74 percent of cancer patients are interested in learning more about them, He added that within five to 10 years, complementary therapies will be part of the care in every major hospital and clinic across the country.

• In 1990, 1/3 of the US population used some form of complementary and alternative healthcare approach to their health care, and by the year 2010 at least 2/3 of the population will.

• In a 2002 survey, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) found that 60% of Americans believe that massage combined with conventional medicine can help treat their condition. Another 33% say that a conventional medicine professional has recommended massage as part of their treatment.

• According to a 2006 survey by the American Massage Therapy Association, one out of every six Americans gets a massage each year. Among those surveyed, 40% said that they have had a massage to relieve pain.

• Over 1.6 million Americans use complementary alternative healthcare for insomnia or trouble sleeping according to scientists at NCCAM.

What is complementary & alternative medicine (CAM)?

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is the term for products and practices that are not part of standard care.

Standard care is what medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy and allied health professionals, such as registered nurses and physical therapists, practice.

Alternative medicine means treatments that you use instead of standard ones.

Complementary medicine means nonstandard practices that you use along with standard ones.

Examples of CAM therapies are acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medicines and energy medicine.

Basic philosophies of complementary and alternative medicine include:

• Your body heals itself. Complementary and alternative medicine practitioners see themselves as facilitators. To them your body does all the healing work, and you only need sessions that will encourage your natural healing processes.

• Prevention is important. Your complementary and alternative medicine practitioner may wish to see you before you get sick to make sure you're doing all you can to keep yourself healthy.

• Learning and healing go hand-in-hand. Your complementary and alternative medicine practitioner views himself or herself as a teacher and mentor who offers guidance. To the practitioner, you're the one who does the healing.