Asthma sufferers find prayer works better than drugs
Young people with asthma are turning their backs on conventional treatments and instead are using complementary medicine and spiritual practices such as prayer to control their symptoms.
Up to 80 per cent of young asthmatics are using some alternative or complementary practice, say researchers from the University of Cincinnati. Children as young as 11 years are employing some ‘alternative’ method.
A survey of 151 adolescents revealed that they are using a wide range of alternatives that are helping them control the condition. Participants cited relaxation, prayer, guided imagery, relaxation, meditation, yoga, massage, herbs and dietary changes among the practices they were using.
(Source: Proceedings of the National Conference in Pediatric Psychology, San Antonio, April 14-16, 2011).