USE OF HERBAL PRODUCTS IN MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM PAIN

Abstract

Objectives: Musculoskeletal disorders are a group of disorders that affect the joints, bones, and muscles, causing long-term disability. The aim of the present study was to examine the usefulness of herbal products in musculoskeletal system pain.Materials and Methods: This descriptive sectional study included 98 individuals who applied to Outpatient Clinic with chronic musculoskeletal system pain, who were 18 years old and over, who had reported using herbal products for more than a week and who were willing to participate in the study. The individuals were subjected to a 26-item questionnaire form which was prepared by the authors and which questioned sociodemographic characteristics of the participants and their use of herbal products.Results: It was found that 7.09% of the individuals with musculoskeletal system pain used herbal products. The most common six products used by the individuals in decreasing order were horse chestnut gel (19.38%), olive oil (15.30%), okra seed (13.26%), plane tree leaves (10.20%), juniper oil (8.16%) and black cumin oil (7.14%). Of all individuals, 57.14% of them (n = 56) reported that they did not need to notify physicians about their herbal product use.Conclusion: It is clear that patients resort to the use of herbal products in musculoskeletal system pain. In order to have better outcomes with the herbal products used in therapy, patients should be informed about the proper dose, duration, indication and time, and side effects and drug interactions of herbal products. Patients should be encouraged about informing their physicians and healthcare providers about their use of herbal products.