OBJECTIVES: To analyse use of conventional and complementary and alternative (CAM) practitioners and self-prescribed CAM amongst mid-age Australian women with back pain. DESIGN: Self-completion postal surveys completed in 2004 and 2007, of the mid-age cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's health. Questions asked for written responses about the use of conventional practitioners, CAM practitioners and self-prescribed CAM for treatment of back pain. SETTING: Analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal survey data (n=9820), conducted as part of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH), which was designed to investigate multiple factors affecting the health and well being of women over a 20-year period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Women were asked if they had sought help for back pain in the previous twelve months. RESULTS: The prevalence of back pain was 54.8% (n=5383). The percentage of women who sought help for their back pain was 17.3% (n=1700). Of the women who sought help for back pain, 2% consulted with a CAM practitioner only, 35% consulted a conventional practitioner only and 63% with both a conventional and CAM practitioner. CONCLUSIONS: Back pain is prevalent amongst mid-age Australian women, although only one third sought help. Women who sought help for their back pack were high users of CAM (practitioners and self-prescribed) and conventional care providers, consulting a CAM practitioner in complement with conventional biomedical consultations rather than as an alternative. Further research is needed to explore the complex contemporary landscapes of back pain negotiation and management.
OBJECTIVES: To analyse use of conventional and complementary and alternative (CAM) practitioners and self-prescribed CAM amongst mid-age Australian women with back pain. DESIGN: Self-completion postal surveys completed in 2004 and 2007, of the mid-age cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's health. Questions asked for written responses about the use of conventional practitioners, CAM practitioners and self-prescribed CAM for treatment of back pain. SETTING: Analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal survey data (n=9820), conducted as part of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH), which was designed to investigate multiple factors affecting the health and well being of women over a 20-year period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Women were asked if they had sought help for back pain in the previous twelve months. RESULTS: The prevalence of back pain was 54.8% (n=5383). The percentage of women who sought help for their back pain was 17.3% (n=1700). Of the women who sought help for back pain, 2% consulted with a CAM practitioner only, 35% consulted a conventional practitioner only and 63% with both a conventional and CAM practitioner. CONCLUSIONS:Back pain is prevalent amongst mid-age Australian women, although only one third sought help. Women who sought help for their back pack were high users of CAM (practitioners and self-prescribed) and conventional care providers, consulting a CAM practitioner in complement with conventional biomedical consultations rather than as an alternative. Further research is needed to explore the complex contemporary landscapes of back pain negotiation and management.
Authors: Vijayendra Murthy; David Sibbritt; Jon Adams; Alex Broom; Emma Kirby; Kathryn M Refshauge Journal: Clin Rheumatol Date: 2013-08-15 Impact factor: 2.980
Authors: Alex F Broom; Emma R Kirby; David W Sibbritt; Jon Adams; Kathryn M Refshauge Journal: BMC Complement Altern Med Date: 2012-07-18 Impact factor: 3.659
Authors: Yan Zhang; Matthew J Leach; Helen Hall; Tobias Sundberg; Lesley Ward; David Sibbritt; Jon Adams Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2015-03-11 Impact factor: 2.629
Authors: Peter J H Beliveau; Jessica J Wong; Deborah A Sutton; Nir Ben Simon; André E Bussières; Silvano A Mior; Simon D French Journal: Chiropr Man Therap Date: 2017-11-22
Authors: Emma R Kirby; Alex F Broom; Jon Adams; David W Sibbritt; Kathryn M Refshauge Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2014-03-21 Impact factor: 2.655