Abstracts In Press
The JABFM
ABFM News
abfm
American Board of Family Medicine
JABFM On Twitter
JABFM On YouTube
JABFM On Facebook
Research ArticleOriginal Research
Perceived Benefit of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Back Pain: A National Survey
Anup K. Kanodia, Anna T. R. Legedza, Roger B. Davis, David M. Eisenberg and Russell S. Phillips
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine May 2010, 23 (3) 354-362; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2010.03.080252
Anup K. Kanodia
Anna T. R. Legedza
Roger B. Davis
David M. Eisenberg
Russell S. Phillips
Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is commonly used to treat back pain, but little is known about factors associated with improvement.
Methods: We used data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey to examine the associations between the perceived helpfulness of various CAM therapies for back pain.
Results: Approximately 6% of the US population used CAM to treat their back pain in 2002. Sixty percent of respondents who used CAM for back pain perceived a "great deal" of benefit. Using multivariable logistic regression, the factor associated with perceived benefit from CAM modalities was reporting that a reason for using CAM was that "conventional medical treatment would not help" (odds ratio [OR], 1.46; 95% CI, 1.14–1.86). The 2 factors associated with less perceived benefit from CAM modalities were fair to poor self-reported health status (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.41–0.82) and referral by a conventional medical practitioner for CAM (OR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.54–0.92). Using chiropractic as a reference, massage (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.46–0.83), relaxation techniques (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.14–0.45), and herbal therapy (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.19–0.46) were all associated with less perceived benefit whereas those with similar perceived benefit included yoga/tai chi/qi gong (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.41–1.22) and acupuncture (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.37–1.38).
Conclusions: The majority of respondents who used CAM for back pain perceived benefit. Specific factors and therapies associated with perceived benefit warrant further investigation.
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on American Board of Family Medicine.
You are going to email the following Perceived Benefit of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Back Pain: A National Survey
Message Subject (Your Name) has sent you a message from American Board of Family Medicine
Message Body (Your Name) thought you would like to see the American Board of Family Medicine web site.
Anup K. Kanodia, Anna T. R. Legedza, Roger B. Davis, David M. Eisenberg, Russell S. Phillips
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine May 2010, 23 (3) 354-362; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2010.03.080252
Guest Family Physician Commentaries
Referrals to integrative medicine in a tertiary hospital: findings from electronic health record data and qualitative interviews
Policy and Financing in Family Medicine and the Medical Home
Community-Based Health Care Navigation's Impact on Access to Primary Care for Low-Income Latinos
Exploring the Relationship Between Community Program Location and Community Needs
Racial/Ethnic Representation Among American Board of Family Medicine Certification Candidates from 1970 to 2020
Show more Original Research
Info For Reviewers
Submit A Manuscript/Review
© 2022 American Board of Family Medicine