Table 3

Use of CAM: 1998 versus 2005


Respondents Reporting CAM
Use
n (%)
P-value*
Visits to Practitioners
1998
N = 411
2005
N = 527


Chiropractor
120 (29.2)
180 (34.2)
0.11
Body work practitioners†
94 (22.9)
228 (43.3)
>0.01
Acupuncturist/TCM practitioner±
28 (6.8)
69 (13.0)
>0.01
Herbalist
28 (6.8)
25 (4.7)
0.17
Naturopathic practitioner
24 (5.8)
40 (7.6)
0.29
Reflexologist
24 (5.8)
46 (8.7)
0.09
Homeopathic practitioner
17 (4.1)
41 (7.7)
0.02
Physician offering CAM therapies±
17 (4.1)
N/A
N/A
Spiritual/faith healer
16 (3.9)
N/A
N/A
Other visits(1)§
7 (1.7)
36 (6.8)
>0.01
Colon irrigation
4 (1.0)
N/A
N/A
Ayurvedic practitioner
N/A
4 (0.8)
N/A
Craniosacral therapist
N/A
10 (1.9)
N/A
Dietician/Nutritionist
N/A
104 (19.7)
N/A




Use of Products
1998
N = 411
2005
N = 527

Vitamins/Minerals(1) #
204 (49.6)
269 (51.0)‡
0.67
Herbal Remedies(2) #
101 (24.6)
194 (36.8)*
>0.01
Green tea
71 (17.3)
145 (27.5)
>0.01
Special foods/diet
63 (15.3)
140 (26.6)
>0.01
Essiac
61 (14.8)
39 (7.4)
>0.01
Meditation
42 (10.2)
60 (11.4)
0.57
Shark cartilage
22 (5.4)
16 (3.0)
0.07
Other therapies(2) §
22 (5.4)
39 (7.4)
0.21
Homeopathy
16 (3.9)
34 (6.4)
0.08
Faith healing
14 (3.4)
N/A
N/A
TCM remedy
7 (1.7)
18 (3.4)
0.11
Natural Supplements(3) #
N/A
198 (37.6)†
N/A
Soy
N/A
58 (11.0)
N/A

* Z-value for two independent proportions (two-sided) looking at change in product or practitioner use through time

†Body Work includes: reiki practitioner, massage therapist, therapeutic touch therapist, shiatsu practitioner, and pranic healer

± TCM = Traditional Chinese Medicine, CAM = complementary and alternative medicine

§(1)Others visits include: aboriginal sweat & healing, brain respiration, cancer consultant, doctor of biomolecular medicine, exercise, iridologist, lymph clinic, muscle therapy, music and art therapy, occupational/physiotherapist, osteopath, (2) Glucosamine/chondrotin, yoga, chelation therapy, music/art therapy, noni juice/rain tree products, visualization, relaxation therapy, aboriginal medicine, exercise, flower essence, progesterone

# (1) Vitamins/minerals (other than a multi-vitamin) include beta carotene and vitamins C and E; (2) Herbal remedies include garlic, ginger, and Hoxsey formula (or tea), Essiac, aloe, ginseng, green tea/extract : and (3) Natural supplements include acidophilus (or probiotics), CoQ10, fish oil, flax seed, immune support (e.g. MGN3 or Coriolus) and melatonin

Boon et al. BMC Women's Health 2007 7:4   doi:10.1186/1472-6874-7-4