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Table 4 Reasons for using and stopping CAM treatments.

From: The use of CAM and conventional treatments among primary care consulters with chronic musculoskeletal pain

Ways participants introduced to CAM

n (%)

Reasons for using CAM

n (%)

Reasons for stopping CAM

n (%)

Recommended by a friend or a relative.

55 (47)

I like to try anything that may work

62 (53)

I finished the treatment course

39 (27)

Prescribed, or referred to it, by a health professional

35 (30)

I was referred to it or it was prescribed for me

29 (25)

I don't think I need it anymore

13 (9)

Media (TV, radio, newspapers, Internet)

27 (23)

I find that it helps me in general not just for pain

23 (20)

Cannot afford it

6 (4)

Literature

10 (9)

I believe in it

22 (19)

It caused me problems or side effects

6 (4)

Practice it/involved with it

10 (9)

Other treatment caused me problems or side effects

2 (2)

I heard of a bad experience with it

1

    

Not available where I live

0

    

My doctor advised me against it

0

Other ways*

22 (19)

Other reasons*

19 (16)

Other reasons*

79 (55)

Found it in a shop

 

Brought in by a relative

 

Didn't help

40

Local advertisement

 

Compatible with birth sign

 

Only use it when I need it

31

Previous experience

 

Suggestion by others

 

Not practical

 

Family experience

 

Persuaded by evidence

 

Caused more pain

 

Experience at vet use

 

Natural product

 

Staining

 

Workshop

 

Carried on, don't know

   

Health farm

 

Family experience

   

Own initiative

 

Has no side effects

   

Practitioner is a friend

 

Previous experience

   

The gym

 

Heard its good

   

Social class

 

Recommended in a magazine

   
  

Thought it may work

   

Total

116

Total

116

Total

144

  1. *These other ways/reasons were not included in our lists and were offered freely by participants. Items are listed in a descending order according to how commonly they were mentioned.