Scrip Companies highlights rising popularity of alternative healthcare modalities and greater emphasis on preventing illness rather than simply treating symptoms

July 22, 2014 — Scrip Companies, a global distributor of equipment and supplies, serving complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) professionals, home health providers, and consumers, announces the release of its White Paper, “Healthcare Revolution: The Growing Popularity of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).” The paper explores the rise of CAM in response to cost trends in the U.S. healthcare system and the influence of the aging Baby Boomer generation.

“The widespread shift toward patient-centric care has triggered a growing demand for chiropractic, massage therapy, acupuncture, laser therapy, and other natural approaches to wellness,” said Kray Kibler, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Scrip. “CAM emphasizes the natural healing ability of the body versus the emphasis on technology for healing in conventional medicine.”

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study determined the most common complementary health approaches used by U.S. adults:

Non-vitamin, non-mineral dietary supplements (17.9 percent)
Practitioner-based chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation (8.5 percent)
Yoga with deep breathing or meditation (8.4 percent)
Massage therapy (6.8 percent)

In most cases, alternative treatments are more personal, less invasive, and often less costly than traditional healthcare options. Research published by TIME Magazine (2014) shows that:

18 million Americans receive massage therapy each year.
Chiropractors treat more than 30 million people annually.
Acupuncture relieves hot flashes as effectively as prescription medication, and with fewer side effects.

“With broader acceptance of CAM therapies, particularly among Boomers who remain active for a longer time period, it is likely that more Americans will seek healthcare services that emphasize non-surgical, non-drug options for maximizing mobility and independence,” Kibler added.