Table 3

Reported main reasons for using acupuncture, chiropractic and osteopathy

Rationale of use*
Percentage using therapy for specified purpose



Acupuncture (n = 101)
Chiropractic (n = 176)
Osteopathy (n = 51)

1. Treatment of a specific medical condition
92.0
68.6
75.9
Five most common complaints:



     Back pain/related problem
20.7
65.7
48.4
     Shoulder pain/related problem
15.5
5.3
22.9
     Arthritis
8.5
...
...
     Injury
7.0
...
5.2
     Knee problem
5.1
...
...
     Neck pain/related problem
...
20.7
10.7
     Headache and migraine
...
9.3
...
     Non-specific musculoskeletal problem
...
14.9
35.2
2. General health and well-being
22.1
32.3
40.6
3. Improving ability to undertake daily activity
Not asked
36.2
41.9
4. Improve sporting performance
Not asked
9.4
17.1

*Users permitted to report multiple reasons of use

Xue et al. BMC Public Health 2008 8:105   doi:10.1186/1471-2458-8-105