Complementary and alternative medicine use among veterans with chronic noncancer pain

• DOI: 10.1682/jrrd.2010.12.0243
• Publication Date: 2012-01-09T15:15:52Z
• Authors: Lauren M. Denneson; Kathryn Corson; Steven K. Dobscha
• Keywords: Veterans Affairs; Integrative Medicine

We describe prior use and willingness to try complementary alternative medicine (CAM) among 401 veterans experiencing chronic noncancer pain explore differences between CAM users nonusers. Participants in a randomized controlled trial of collaborative intervention for from five Department Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care clinics self-reported chiropractic care, massage therapy, herbal medicines, acupuncture. Prior were compared with nonusers on demographic characteristics, pain-related clinical disease burden, treatment satisfaction. A majority ( n = 327, 82%) reported at least one modality, nearly all (n 399, 99%) willing pain. Chiropractic was the preferred option, whereas therapy most (75% 96%, respectively). less likely have service-connection disabilities (54% vs 68%; chi square 4.64, p 0.03) having spent larger percentage their lives (26% 20%; Z 1.40, 0.04) than detected few who had tried those not, suggesting that may broad appeal Implications VA policy practice clinicians treating are discussed.