Table 4

Commonest reasons given for using the 5 most popular CAMs

Type of CAM
Specific reasons stated for using CAM
% (n)
95% C.I*

Massage (n = 106)
Musculo-skeletal problems
47% (50)
37% to 57%

Recommended by friend
7% (7)
3% to 13%

Neurological problems
5% (5)
2% to 11%




Vitamins (n = 85)
Musculo-skeletal problems
19% (16)
11% to 29%

General wellbeing
14% (12)
8% to 23%

To get better
9% (8)
4% to 18%




Health food/dietary supplement (n = 56)
Musculo-skeletal problems
21% (12)
12% to 34%

General wellbeing
16% (9)
8% to 28%

To get better
13% (7)
5% to 24%




Acupressure (n = 51)
Musculo-skeletal problems
35% (18)
22% to 50%

Recommended by friend
10% (5)
3% to 21%

General wellbeing
6% (3)
1% to 16%




Kampo (n = 46)
Musculo-skeletal problems
15% (7)
6% to 29%

Gynaecological problems
13% (6)
5% to 26%

Lack of perceived side effects
11% (5)
4% to 24%

*C.I = Confidence Interval

Hori et al. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2008 8:14   doi:10.1186/1472-6882-8-14