Time to Talk
Tell Your Health Care Provider About Your Use of Complementary Health Practices
On this page
- Introduction
- What are complementary health practices?
- Why tell your health care providers?
- Tips for talking to your health care providers
- Resources from the National Institutes of Health
Introduction
Did you know that nearly 40 percent of Americans age 18 or older reported using some form of complementary health practice? People age 50 to 59 were among the most likely to report use. According to a 2010 survey* of people age 50 or older, 58 percent of those who reported using complementary health practices said that they had discussed them with a health care provider.
What are complementary health practices?
Complementary health practices are a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products whose origins come from outside of mainstream medicine. They include such products and practices as herbal supplements, meditation, chiropractic manipulation, and acupuncture.
Why tell your health care providers?
- Giving your health care providers a full picture of what you do to manage your health helps you stay in control.
- Some complementary health practices can have an effect on conventional medicine. Talking to your health care providers will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
- Talking to your providers helps them to be fully informed and your partners in health care.
Tips for talking to your health care providers
- When completing patient history forms, be sure to include all therapies and treatments you use. Make a list in advance.
- Tell your health care providers about all therapies or treatments—including over-the-counter and prescription medicines, as well as dietary and herbal supplements.
- Don’t wait for your providers to ask. Be proactive.
- If you are considering a new complementary health practice, ask your health care providers about its safety, effectiveness, and possible interactions with medications (both prescription and nonprescription).
Resources from the National Institutes of Health
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine:
nccam.nih.gov
Toll-free clearinghouse: 1-888-644-6226
Medline Plus:
medlineplus.gov
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements:
ods.od.nih.gov
NCI Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine:
cancer.gov/cam
This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.
* Note: PDF files require a viewer such as the free Adobe Reader.
