Originally published June 6 2005
University of Hawaii athletes use alternative medicine more often, study says
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
A survey by the University of Hawaii found that the student-athletes turned to alternative medicine such as acupuncture and massage more often than they used traditional medicine. The survey found that 56 percent of male athletes used alternative medicine at the school, while 67 percent of female athletes used it. Researchers found that the athletes generally did not tell their primary care physicians about their alternative medicine use.
University of Hawaii researchers are making news in sports medicine circles with the first study of college athletes and alternative medicine.
An earlier study had already determined people in Hawaii turn to alternative therapies more frequently than do people in the rest of the country.
Student Zach Lee-Ho, working out today in the University of Hawaii Student Fitness Center, thinks the study is on target.
In Moanalua, acupuncture therapist Michael Sinclair applies a razor thin needle to a patient's arm.
Letting the body heal itself with the help of a practitioner like Sinclair is the point of acupuncture, and other alternative therapies including massage and chiropractic.
"The use of complimentary alternatives medicine is actually higher in the student athlete population than it is in the general population," said Dr. Andrew Nichols.
Nichols, chief of the U.H. sports medicine division at the John Burns School of Medicine, notes that in Hawaii's population at large, nearly 50% of people report using alternative medicine.
Women athletes turn to alternative medicine even more often than the men do, according to the study.
Sixty seven percent of the women athletes turned to complimentary medicine.
The study also found that most student athletes weren't telling their primary care physicians -- their traditional doctors -- about the treatments, perhaps out of fear the doctor wouldn't approve.
Dr. Nichols believes the study shows athletes and regular doctors should communicate -- and consider cooperating -- in alternative care.
The sports medicine division and the medical school's department of complimentary medicine collaborated on the study, and presented their findings at the annual meeting in May of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml