Research published in the journal Cephalalgia (2002;22:395-400), involved a survey of more than 70 adults attending a pain clinic in New York. About 85% of the group examined used alternative therapies to relieve their pain. Forty-nine therapies were mentioned in the survey, including acupuncture, biofeedback, meditation, chiropractic and massage. Of those who used alternative therapies, 60% of them believed the therapies were effective. A number of studies have found, however, that most patients using alternative methods don’t inform their physicians about it.
Those who did not try alternative therapies did not use them because of cost, lack of a referral from their primary doctor, lack of time or that the therapy was not covered by insurance. Their choice to not use alternative therapy was not because of lack of medical data.
Most of the respondents were familiar with the alternative therapies and believed in them. Because of this, the study authors called for more scientific research into these alternative methods.
