As societies age, there are undoubtedly various things people can do to ensure they age healthily, whether that’s yoga, meditation, or massage therapy.

Whereas nearly all 50-80-year-olds reported finding such non-conventional options beneficial, a recent study from the University of Michigan finds that just 18% of respondents have discussed such strategies with their health care provider.

Integrative medicine

The researchers believe that the results clearly demonstrate the value clinicians could gain from discussing such integrative medicine strategies with patients. The findings also shed light on the insurance-related difficulties in accessing such strategies. Indeed, just 15% of people who used such strategies said they were covered by their health insurance.

This is clearly a missed opportunity, as 84% of respondents said they would willingly engage in such strategies if their insurance was more accommodating. This is especially so as the interventions not only benefited the physical health of respondents, but also their mental health.

“As research continues to show the importance of the mind-body connection in health, and as more rigorous studies are done to determine what effects integrative strategies can have on various conditions, it’s important for patients and providers to keep the lines of communication open,” the researchers explain.

“Educating physicians and encouraging patients to communicate about evidence-informed integrative modalities could lead to a larger tool box for treating and preventing illness and supporting health and wellness.”

Preventative actions

The respondents revealed that they are often using integrative strategies to prevent pain, manage stress, or improve mental health. Primary care service providers often also help with such issues via things like medication, specialty care, or lifestyle counseling, so it’s important that they’re aware what people are doing independently.

“Providers may want to acquaint themselves with the level of evidence surrounding the use of each approach for different conditions,” the authors explain.

“The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, part of the National Institutes of Health, funds research on such approaches, and offers overviews of the state of evidence for many approaches, including massage therapy, meditation and yoga.”

The Covid pandemic shed new light on the challenges we face when it comes to taking care of our physical and mental health, and this was nowhere more pertinent than for older people.

“The COVID-19 pandemic made it hard for all of us to take care of our mental and physical health, and this research shows that almost all older adults believe they are connected,” the authors conclude. “If you are currently using or are interested in using integrative treatments for your mental or physical health, it’s important to talk about them with your health care provider.”