Nearly 40% of older adults currently use at least one integrative medicine strategy to try to ease symptoms of a physical or mental health issue, or to help them relax, a new poll finds.

Whether they chose chiropractic care, massage therapy, meditation, yoga, or another non- conventional option, 38% found it very beneficial, and another 54% said it was somewhat beneficial. Women, and adults aged 50 to 64, were more likely to use such strategies than men, or those aged 65 to 80.

But only 18% of older adults who currently use, formerly used or are interested in using integrative health strategies have actually talked about it with a health care provider.

The new results from the University of Michigan National poll on healthy aging suggest that primary care clinicians should discuss with patients whether they’re using any integrative medicine strategies, which ones, and why.

The poll is based at the U-M Institute for healthcare policy and Innovation and supported by AARP and Michigan Medicine, the University of Michigan’s academic medical center.

The older adults in the poll who currently use, or used to use, integrative strategies said they did so in an effort to treat or prevent pain, insomnia, digestive issues, to relax or manage stress, to address an acute physical injury, and/or to improve mental health from conditions such as depression or anxiety.

Consider chiropractic: Chiropractors perform hands-on therapy concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, primarily the spine and its function, and also provide advice and guidance on managing pain, stress and anxiety.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com