As noted earlier, a significant number of Americans use complementary therapies. The majority of these persons use these therapies in conjunction with biomedical treatments (Evans, Gillcrist, & Minz, 1997). Numerous factors have been cited for the growth in the use of complementary therapies:

1. Believing that biomedical treatments do not take care of a problem
2. Wishing to avoid the effects of a medication or treatment that are perceived to be worse than the condition for which biomedical care was sought
3. Desiring a care provider who listens and is caring
4. Seeking to be treated in a holistic manner
5. Wanting input into the decision-making regarding their care (Astin, 1998; Jobst, 1998; Kaptchuk & Eisenberg, 1998; Mitzdorf et al., 1999)

Another factor that has increased the use of complementary therapies is the rise in immigrants from cultures that use a system of health care other than the Western biomedical system.

Biomedical discoveries have had a significant impact on the improvement of health through the control of infectious diseases and the effective treatment of many health problems. Weil (1995) noted Western biomedical therapies are the preferred mode of treatment for trauma and other emergency situations. However, he also noted that complementary therapies have an important place in the care of persons with chronic health conditions. Many persons with chronic health problems have voiced dissatisfaction with the treatment(s) prescribed by Western practitioners. Since a chronic condition affects the entirety of a person’s being, healing/care therapies must encompass the spiritual, social, and psychological realms as well as the physical problem. These have been largely ignored in our current health care system.

Prescription medications have revolutionized the treatment of many health conditions. However, patient adherence in taking medications remains a major health concern (Haynes, McKibbon, & Kanani, 1996). One reason persons may not adhere is that the side effects of numerous medications are deemed by patients to be intolerable (Mitzdorf et al., 1999). The absence or relatively fewer side effects of complementary adds to their appeal.

A frequent complaint heard from patients is that health professionals do not listen to them but hurriedly make an assessment and prescribe a treatment.

A frequent complaint heard from patients is that health professionals do not listen to them but hurriedly make an assessment and prescribe a treatment.

"Cost-effectiveness," a virtual mantra in the current health care system, may be a factor. However, the educational preparation of health professionals, particularly physicians, has often lacked content on interpersonal skills and a holistic approach to patients. Listening and presence, viewed by these authors as being key components of all complementary therapies, are valued by patients. After visiting a health professional who uses complementary therapies or a complementary therapist, many patients remark that the person took time to listen to their concerns and problems. Patients want to be treated as holistic beings (Jobst, 1998 ).

Immigrants to the United States come from all parts of the globe and for many, their health care has included therapies that we in the United States classify as complementary therapies. Americans have become familiar with therapies such as acupuncture, meditation, and herbal preparations. There is less familiarity with therapies such as Qi Gong, soul retrieval, Kampo medicine, curanderismo, psychic surgery, panchakarma, and Chinese Tui Na massage. Even herbal preparations typically used in the United States differ from those used in other cultures; the herbal preparations of Traditional Chinese Medicine are different from ones used in the United States and Europe. Not only are different therapies used across cultures, but conceptualizations of health and illness vary greatly. Thus, recent immigrants may use a therapy similar to one used in the United States, but the purpose for which the therapy is used may be significantly different. The book The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down (Fadiman, 1997 ) carries a poignant description of the understanding of therapies in two cultures.