Most alternative medicine treatments focus on adults and ignore a very important part of the society, the children. Although some form of alternative medicine may look safe to use even in children, it is important to establish true facts concerning this. This is because most parents are not sure if such treatments are indeed safe for use by their children.

From a study conducted in 2007 by American Health Interview Survey, that had 9,000 respondents, about 12% of the children under 17 years had actually used CAM in 2006. Such children were of parents who were as well users of CAM. The study also revealed that such children had multiple health problems and it is assumed they had used conventional treatments without success. Another factor thought to have driven such parents to seek CAM treatment for their children was the high cost of conventional treatment, as alternative treatments are relatively cheap. Another survey that was conducted in 2001 indicated that about 87% of paediatricians had received enquiries from parents concerning CAM treatment.

The most common therapies being sought by parents today for their children include use of natural products, deep breathing exercises, yoga, message, meditation and relaxation. The common ailments presented by the children include chest coldness, back and neck pain, anxiety and insomnia.

Most parents on a visit to their physicians do not always indicate that their child is on CAM. It is always recommended to tell your physician any kind of medication you or your child may have used or is presently using. This enables the physician to determine the right medication to prescribe to avoid any drug counteraction that may occur and turn out fatal if he/she prescribes just any medicine.

Knowing your alternative medicine practitioner well is important. Try and find out the practitioner's training and experience. Has he/she dealt with children? Is there any coordination between the practitioner and other conventional practitioners? Is the practitioner licensed? Having this information enables you to be confident not only with the practitioner but with the treatment given as well.

The following points will be of great help in ensuring that your child gets all the benefits of an alternative treatment;

(a) Before you set out to seek the services of CAM practitioner, do ensure that your child has received a correct diagnosis from a qualified physician and that there is no conventional treatment available or such treatment is available but you cannot afford the cost, or you want the alternative treatment to compliment the conventional treatment.

(b) If your child is already on conventional treatment or therapy, do not substitute that with alternative treatment. Alternative treatment is not meant to replace conventional treatment in any way.

(c) If your child experiences undesirable side effects after using CAM, get in touch with the CAM practitioner immediately and follow that up with review by a conventional practitioner.

(d) Always ensure that storage of alternative medicine or any other medicine is safe as was instructed and out of reach of children.