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Natural Health Alternatives

We recently surveyed a selection of our i-Say Panelists about a variety of questions related to seeking treatment for health purposes, specifically natural health alternatives. Some of the survey results are presented below.

Americans are most comfortable going to a medical doctor when seeking treatment. The percentage increases with age (68% in the 18-24 age group versus 93% in the 65+ age group). Younger (14%) panelists are more likely to visit walk-in clinics compared to middle-aged (11%) or older (5%) panelists. Female (12%) panelists were more likely to prefer an alternative form of therapy (ex. acupuncture, naturopath, homeopath) compared to male (6%) panelists.

Acupuncture therapy is most frequently utilized in the North East and West regions of the country with 40 percent of panelists seeking this form of natural health practitioner.

• Massage Therapy is most frequently utilized in the South (54%) followed closely by the West (40%) and North East (34%) and then Mid West (30%).
• Mid West panelists are least likely to seek a naturopathic doctor with 7 percent utilizing this form of treatment compared to the South at 30 percent.

American panelists recognize the importance of exercise in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The chart above shows that Americans really enjoy walking and try to incorporate exercise into their regular day-to-day activities. Equal numbers of female (39%) and male (38%) take the stairs instead of the elevator. While more women keep busy with chores in the home (59%) than men (46%), the results show that the percentage is high with both genders. Male panelists (5%) are least likely to view shopping as a form of exercise compared to the female panelists (16%).

(Source: This survey was conducted among 1,654 i-Say panelists, representative of the American general population, between March 5 and 16, 2004).

Items of Note

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Quick Poll

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points located near or on the surface of the skin which have the ability to alter various biochemical and physiological conditions in order to achieve the desired effect.

The classical Eastern explanation for how acupuncture works is that channels of energy or “Qi” run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up, creating imbalance and pain.

A more scientific explanation of acupuncture is that the stimulation of certain trigger points on the body by acupuncture needles prompts the body to release certain hormones and chemicals that can reduce pain, regulate the endocrine system, and calm the nervous system.

Acupuncture points are areas of designated electrical sensitivity. Inserting needles at these points ultimately stimulate nerves that transmit impulses to the hypothalamic-pituitary system.

The hypothalamus-pituitary glands are responsible for releasing neurotransmitters and endorphins, the body's natural pain-killing hormones. It is estimated that endorphins are 200 times more potent than morphine.

The substances released as a result of acupuncture also regulate serotonin in the brain. This is why depression is often treated with acupuncture.

Some of the physiological effects observed throughout the body include increased circulation, decreased inflammation, relief from pain, relief of muscle spasms and increased T-cell count which stimulates the immune system.

SOURCE: ACUFINDER, INC.
All material provided on the Acufinder.com site is provided for informational or educational purposes only. Consult a physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your symptoms or medical condition.

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