Alternative Medicine Popular With Baby Boomers

“Health Isn’t a Goal, It’s a Way of Life.”

Health markets are a mecca for colorful produce, probiotic beverages, and a steady stream of baby boomer clientele. This generation has grown up on grandma’s chicken soup, and bathtubs filled with ice to remedy everything from the common cold to measles, so it’s no surprise many of these health-savvy folks are choosing a holistic approach to what ails them. According to a CNN article, close to a third of Americans seek alternatives to traditional medicine with many 55+ communities getting on board with on-site yoga studios, farm-to-table offerings, and massage services.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health showed an increase in the use of alternative supplements like Omega 3 fish oil, and more older adults are looking for herbal remedies to treat a variety of conditions from arthritis, to insomnia. Even more promising, many insurance plans not only cover complementary medicine such as a naturopath, or chiropractic services, but most require patients to try and fail conservative measures before authorizing more invasive treatments.

East meets west with more active adults seeking health care providers that integrate both a traditional and alternative approach. It’s become increasingly common to find clinics with in-house nutritionists, and those administering B12 shots in place of pharmaceuticals. Medicine without the side effects is what attracts seniors to healing treatments such as acupuncture, and massage therapy that help soothe arthritic joints, improve circulation and relieve chronic pain. Most retirement communities recognize the incredible benefits of whole-body health offering amenities like Tai Chi classes, or aquatic therapy, and community gardens where residents can source wholesome organic produce right outside their doorstep.

Approaching healthcare from a holistic perspective used to be considered old school, but baby boomers going au natural with their lifestyle is trending upward with modern medicine practitioners the following suit.