Use of traditional and complementary medicine for musculoskeletal diseases

Abstract

Background/aim: We aimed to determine the prevalence of traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) use among patients withmusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and to examine the methods used, frequency, and experienced benefits of therapies; the reasons forusing TCM; and the sources of information about therapies. We also compared demographic characteristics of users and nonusers ofTCM.Materials and methods: The descriptive study was conducted with 839 patients who attended the physical therapy and rehabilitationunits of 3 public hospitals between September 2014 and March 2015. A self-administered questionnaire including demographiccharacteristics, medical history, and details of TCM use was applied.Results: Of the 839 individuals in the study (592 female, 247 male; mean age 48.9 ± 13.0 years), 35.4% reported using TCM. Therewas no significant statistical difference between users and nonusers in terms of age, gender, body mass index, socioeconomic status,or educational level (P > 0.05). The disease duration of TCM users was significantly higher than that of nonusers (P < 0.05). The mostcommonly used TCM methods were balneotherapy (31%), herbal therapies (30%), wet cupping (22.2%), and massage-manipulationmethods (21.2%). Of TCM users, 75.1% were satisfied.Conclusion: The prevalence of TCM use and satisfaction levels are high in patients with MSDs. Physicians should be well informedabout TCM methods and raise the awareness of patients to prevent improper use of TCM.