NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 325 ■ November 2018

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

Use of Yoga, Meditation, and Chiropractors Among 

U.S. Adults Aged 18 and Over

Tainya C. Clarke, Ph.D., M.P.H.; Patricia M. Barnes, M.A.; Lindsey I. Black, M.P.H.; 

Barbara J. Stussman, B.A.; and Richard L. Nahin, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Key findings

Data from the National 

Health Interview Survey, 

2012 and 2017

● Among adults aged 18 and 

over, increases were seen 

from 2012 to 2017 in the 

use of yoga, meditation, and 

chiropractors during the past 

12 months.

● Yoga was the most 

commonly used complementary 

health approach among U.S. 

adults in 2012 (9.5%) and 

2017 (14.3%). 

● In 2017, women were more 

likely to use yoga, meditation, 

and chiropractors in the past 

12 months compared with men. 

● Non-Hispanic white adults 

were more likely to use yoga, 

meditation, and chiropractors 

compared with Hispanic and 

non-Hispanic black adults.

Complementary health is the use of holistic or unconventional medicine with 

mainstream Western medicine for health and wellness (1,2). Past research has 

identified yoga, meditation, and seeing a chiropractor as some of the most 

commonly used approaches (3). This report examines changes over time in the 

percentage of adults who used yoga, meditation, and chiropractors in the past 

12 months, as well as variation by sex, age, and race and Hispanic origin. 

Did the use of yoga, meditation, and chiropractors change 

from 2012 to 2017? 

Increases were seen from 2012 to 2017 in the use of complementary health 

approaches in the past 12 months among U.S. adults for all modalities 

examined (Figure 1). The use of yoga increased from 9.5% to 14.3%, while 

the use of meditation increased more than threefold from 4.1% in 2012 to 

14.2% in 2017. The use of chiropractors increased from 9.1% to 10.3%.

Figure 1. Age-adjusted percentage of adults who used yoga, meditation, or a chiropractor during 

the past 12 months, by year: United States, 2012 and 2017

1

Significantly different from 2012 (p < 0.05).

NOTES: Estimates are age adjusted using the projected 2000 U.S. population as the standard population and three age groups: 

18–44, 45–64, and 65 and over. Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized 

population. Access data table for Figure 1 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db325_table-508.pdf#1. 

SOURCE: NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2012 and 2017.

2012 2017

9.5

4.1

9.1

1

14.3 1

14.2

1

10.3

0

5

10

15

Yoga Meditation Chiropractor

Percent
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 325 ■ November 2018

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Was there a difference in the use of yoga, meditation, and chiropractors by 

sex?

In 2017, women were more than twice as likely to use yoga in the past 12 months (19.8%) 

compared with men (8.6%) (Figure 2). Women were also more likely than men to use meditation 

(16.3% compared with 11.8%) and see a chiropractor (11.1% compared with 9.4%).

Figure 2. Age-adjusted percentage of adults who used yoga, meditation, or a chiropractor during the past 12 months, by 

sex: United States, 2017

1

Significantly different from men (p < 0.05).

NOTES: Estimates are age adjusted using the projected 2000 U.S. population as the standard population and three age groups: 18–44, 45–64, and 65 and over. 

Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. Access data table for Figure 2 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db325_table-508.pdf#2.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2017.

8.6

11.8

9.4

1

19.8

1

16.3

1

11.1

0

5

10

15

20

25

Yoga Meditation Chiropractor

Percent

Men Women
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 325 ■ November 2018

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Did the use of yoga, meditation, and chiropractors vary by age group?

The use of yoga in the past 12 months was highest among adults aged 18–44 (17.9%) and 

decreased with increasing age (Figure 3). The use of yoga among adults aged 18–44 was more 

than twice that of adults aged 65 and over (6.7%). The use of meditation was higher among adults 

aged 45–64 (15.9%) compared with those aged 18–44 and 65 and over (13.4% each). Similarly, 

the proportion of adults aged 45–64 who saw a chiropractor (11.4%) was greater than those aged 

18–44 (9.9%) and 65 and over (9.5%). 

Figure 3. Percentage of adults who used yoga, meditation, or a chiropractor during the past 12 months, by age: 

United States, 2017

1

Significantly different from age group 18–44 (p < 0.05). 2

Significantly different from age group 45–64 (p < 0.05). 3

Significant linear decrease with age.

NOTES: Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. Access data table for Figure 3 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db325_table-508.pdf#3.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2017.

17.9

13.4

9.9

1

12.2

1

15.9

1

11.4

1,2

6.7

2

13.4

2

9.5

0

5

10

15

20

Yoga3 Meditation Chiropractor

Percent

18–44 45–64 65 and over
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 325 ■ November 2018

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Did the use of yoga, meditation, and chiropractors vary by race and 

Hispanic origin?

In 2017, non-Hispanic white adults were more likely to use yoga (17.1%) and see a chiropractor 

(12.7%) in the past 12 months compared with Hispanic (8.0% and 6.6%, respectively) and 

non-Hispanic black (9.3% and 5.5%, respectively) adults (Figure 4). The use of meditation was 

higher among non-Hispanic white (15.2%) and non-Hispanic black (13.5%) adults compared with 

Hispanic (10.9%) adults. 

Figure 4. Age-adjusted percentage of adults who used yoga, meditation, or a chiropractor during the past 12 months, by 

race and Hispanic origin: United States, 2017

1

Significantly different from non-Hispanic white adults (p < 0.05). 2

Significantly different from non-Hispanic black adults (p < 0.05).

NOTES: Estimates are age adjusted using the projected 2000 U.S. population as the standard population and three age groups: 18–44, 45–64, and 65 and over. 

Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. Access data table for Figure 4 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db325_table-508.pdf#4.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2017.

1

8.0

1,210.9

1

6.6

17.1

15.2

12.7

1

9.3

13.5

1

5.5

0

5

10

15

20

Yoga Meditation Chiropractor

Percent

Non-Hispanic white Non-Hispanic black Hispanic
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 325 ■ November 2018

■  5  ■

Summary

The use of yoga, meditation, and chiropractors in the past 12 months among U.S. adults increased 

from 2012 to 2017. Of these, yoga and meditation had the largest percentage-point change. 

Women were more likely than men to use yoga, meditation, and chiropractors. Additionally, the 

use among non-Hispanic white adults was generally higher than among Hispanic and 

non-Hispanic black adults. The pattern of use by age varied for each approach.

Yoga was the most popular approach used in 2012 and 2017, with 9.5% (22.4 million) and 

14.3% (35.2 million) adult users, respectively. In 2012, seeing a chiropractor was as popular as 

yoga, followed by meditation; however, the popularity of meditation surpassed that of seeing a 

chiropractor to become the second most-used approach among those examined in 2017. In recent 

years, the practice of yoga and meditation has become more mainstream (4–7). Most adults who 

see a chiropractor have health insurance coverage for this approach (8). 

Definitions

Chiropractor: A person who performs hands-on therapy concerned with the diagnosis and 

treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, primarily the spine, and 

its function.

Meditation: The act of engaging in mental exercise to reach a heightened level of spiritual 

awareness or mindfulness. This report uses a composite measure based on responses to three 

questions regarding the use of: 1) mantra meditation, including transcendental meditation, 

relaxation response, and clinically standardized meditation; 2) mindfulness meditation, including 

vipassana, Zen Buddhist meditation, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and mindfulness-based 

cognitive therapy; and 3) spiritual meditation, including centering prayer and contemplative 

meditation.

Race and Hispanic origin: Based on responses to two questions that determine Hispanic or Latino 

origin and race. Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin may be of any race. Non-Hispanic white and 

non-Hispanic black refer to persons with a single race group indicated. Data for persons of other 

races or with more than one race group indicated are not shown in this report.

Yoga: A combination of breathing exercises, meditation, and physical postures, of Hindu origin, 

used to achieve a state of relaxation and balance of mind, body, and spirit.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 325 ■ November 2018

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Data source and methods

Data from the 2012 and 2017 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were used for this 

analysis. NHIS is a nationally representative, continuously fielded cross-sectional household 

interview survey from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), which produces annual 

estimates of the health of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. Interviews are 

conducted in respondents’ homes, with follow-ups to complete interviews conducted by telephone 

if needed. For further information about NHIS, including the questionnaire, visit the NHIS 

website: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/.

Information on the use of complementary health approaches was collected from a sample of 

adults aged 18 and over who participated in the 2012 (n = 34,525) and 2017 (n = 26,742) NHIS 

adult alternative medicine or complementary health supplements, respectively. The percentage 

of adults who saw a chiropractor in the past 12 months was obtained from the “Adult Access to 

Health Care and Utilization” section of the Sample Adult Core questionnaire for both years.

Analyses were conducted using SAS-callable SUDAAN version 11.0.3 (9), which accounts for 

the complex sample design of NHIS. All estimates for adults were weighted using the annual 

sample weights for adults. Data weighting procedures are described in more detail elsewhere 

(10). The Taylor series linearization method was chosen for estimation of standard errors. Trend 

in use of yoga by age was evaluated using the Joinpoint Regression Program (11). Differences 

between percentages were evaluated using two-sided significance tests at the 0.05 level with no 

adjustments made for multiple comparisons. All estimates in this report meet NCHS standards of 

reliability as specified in “National Center for Health Statistics Data Presentation Standards for 

Proportions” (12).

About the authors

Tainya C. Clarke and Lindsey I. Black are with the National Center for Health Statistics, Division 

of Health Interview Statistics; Patricia M. Barnes is with the National Center for Health Statistics, 

Division of Research and Methodology; and Barbara J. Stussman and Richard L. Nahin are with 

the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 325 ■ November 2018

■  7  ■

References

1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Complementary, alternative, 

or integrative health: What’s in a name? NCCIH Publication No. D347. 2018. Available from: 

https://nccih.nih.gov/health/integrative-health.

2. Bloom S. Holistic medicine vs. Western medicine. Livestrong: Holistic medicine. August 14, 

2017. Available from: https://www.livestrong.com/article/104735-holistic-medicine-vs.-westernmedicine/.

3. Clarke TC, Black LI, Stussman BJ, Barnes PM, Nahin RL. Trends in the use of 

complementary health approaches among adults: United States, 2002–2012. National Health 

Statistics Reports; no 79. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2015.

4. Wieczner J. Meditation has become a billion-dollar business. Fortune. March 12, 2016. 

Available from: http://fortune.com/2016/03/12/meditation-mindfulness-apps/.

5. Laurinavicius T. 10 hot mindfulness and meditation apps to watch. Forbes Technology. 

January 6, 2018.

6. Nag M. 8 meditation gadgets to begin the week on a fresh note. Gadget Flow: Product 

roundups. June 19, 2017. Available from: https://thegadgetflow.com/blog/8-meditation-gadgets/.

7. Lisi AJ, Brandt CA. Trends in the use and characteristics of chiropractic services in the 

Department of Veterans Affairs. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 39(5):381–6. 2016.

8. Nahin RL, Barnes PM, Stussman BJ. Insurance coverage for complementary health 

approaches among adult users: United States, 2002 and 2012. NCHS Data Brief, no 235. 

Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2016.

9. RTI International. SUDAAN (Release 11.0.3) [computer software]. 2018.

10. Parsons VL, Moriarity C, Jonas K, Moore TF, Davis KE, Tompkins L. Design and estimation 

for the National Health Interview Survey, 2006–2015. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital 

Health Stat 2(165). 2014. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_02/

sr02_165.pdf.

11. National Cancer Institute, Surveillance Research Program. Joinpoint Regression Program 

(Version 4.5.0.1) [computer software]. 2017.

12. Parker JD, Talih M, Malec DJ, Beresovsky V, Carroll M, Gonzalez JF Jr, et al. National 

Center for Health Statistics Data Presentation Standards for Proportions. National Center for 

Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 2(175). 2017.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 325 ■ November 2018

Keywords: complementary health • alternative health • National Health 

Interview Survey

Suggested citation

Clarke TC, Barnes PM, Black LI, Stussman 

BJ, Nahin RL. Use of yoga, meditation, and 

chiropractors among U.S. adults aged 18 and 

over. NCHS Data Brief, no 325. Hyattsville, 

MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 

2018.

Copyright information

All material appearing in this report is in 

the public domain and may be reproduced 

or copied without permission; citation as to 

source, however, is appreciated.

National Center for Health 

Statistics

Charles J. Rothwell, M.S., M.B.A., Director

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate Director for 

Science

Division of Health Interview Statistics

Stephen J. Blumberg, Ph.D., Director

Robin A. Cohen, Ph.D., Acting Associate Director 

for Science

Division of Research and Methodology

Jennifer D. Parker, Ph.D., Director

Donald J. Malec, Ph.D., Associate Director for 

Science

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