Use of practitioner-led complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), such as acupuncture, massage, osteopathy and chiropractic treatment, rose from 12 percent of the population in 2005 to 16 percent of the population in 2015, according to a new survey. The survey asked adults about their CAM use in the last 12 months. Out of a representative sample of 4,862 respondents aged 15 and over, 766 (16%) said they had seen a CAM practitioner.

More women than men and more people in higher socioeconomic groups than in lower socioeconomic groups used CAM.

The majority of CAM users either paid for treatment themselves or had it paid for by friends or family (67%). Most CAM users, 70%, self-referred (either found the practitioners themselves or through a recommendation from a friend or family). A small proportion were referred by their GP (17 %) or other health professional (4%), and more of these were from lower socioeconomic groups.

The main reasons for CAM use were for musculoskeletal problems, particularly back pain (38%), and other musculoskeletal pain (neck pain, shoulder pain or knee pain—22%). Mental health accounted for 12% of CAM use, including for minor depression, anxiety or stress (7%) and sleep problems, tiredness or fatigue (4%).

Using chiropractic care for back pain makes a lot of sense. Chiropractors are specially trained to treat back pain, and do so without surgery or opioids. You are in good hands when a chiropractor is treating your back pain.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com.