More and more children these days are turning towards yoga, fish oil supplements and other such alternative health treatments. Non-vitamin and natural products rank highest of them all. Other treatments include usage of echinacea, flaxseed oil, fish oil, herb pill, probiotics or prebiotics.
The survey, conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine concluded that almost three percent of children visit a chiropractor, or use the services of an osteopath for manipulation, whereas deep breathing exercises and yoga come in at 2.2 and 2.1 per cent respectively.
However, some critics and experts are of the strong opinion that though the reports are further substantiated by the fact that kids are healthier than their adult counterparts, the numbers are all wrong. They insist that the percentage of children with chronic health issues, opting for alternative treatments and techniques was higher than 50%.
Dr. Lawrence D. Rosen a pediatrician, practicing integrative medicine in Oradell N.J, who is doing extensive research on alternative remedies feels dietary supplements need further clinical testing. He opines that parents and pediatricians should have an open dialogue to discuss issues with respect to alternative therapies and dietary supplements. Surveys show a steady increase among adults using in alternative therapies and medicine. Alternative therapies are used in treatment of back and neck pain in adults and for treating chronic problems like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and acute illnesses like headache and colds in children.
Children are seen to be influenced to use alternative medicine and therapies in families where parents use it. Alternative medicine like yoga, massage, acupuncture, meditation, naturopathy and deep breathing exercises are found to be more popular among teens.
