Editorial Staff  |  DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE

Original Publication: https://acupuncturetoday.com/article/39186-use-of-acupuncture-more-than-doubles

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Use of complementary health approaches (CHA) increased from 19.2% of the U.S. population in 2002 to well over a third (36.7 %) of the population in 2022 (approximately 122.3 million adults).
• Use of acupuncture specifically increased from 1% of adults in 2002 to 2.2% in 2022. That equates to over 7.3 million adult patients.
• Use of acupuncture for pain management also increased, from approximately 55% in 2002 to approximately 72% in 2022.

A research letter in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) provides early findings from the most recent (2022) survey on the use of complementary health approaches (CHA).¹ 

Seven forms of complementary care are included in the latest study: acupuncture, chiropractic, guided imagery, massage therapy, meditation, naturopathy, and yoga. The survey asks respondents about their use in the previous 12 months.

Use of any form of CHA increased from 19.2% of the U.S. population in 2002 to well over a third (36.7 %) of the population in 2022 (approximately 122.3 million adults). Use of acupuncture specifically increased from 1% of adults in 2002 to 2.2% in 2022. 

That is more than over 7.3 million adult patients.

With the use of any form of CHA almost doubling (91% increase) during the 20-year period and the use of acupuncture more than doubling, it is clear that the public is becoming more comfortable with an eastern medicine approach to care that is less invasive and not drug-dependent. 

This is especially true for pain relief. Based on these findings, the acupuncture profession is expanding efforts to educate legislators and consumers about the benefits of acupuncture and herbal medicine.

1. Nahin RL, Rhee A, Stussman B. Use of complementary health approaches overall and for pain management by US adults. JAMA; published online Jan. 25, 2024.