COMPLEMENTARY-ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE USED BY PATIENTS WITH DISC HERNIATION

Objectives: the study aimed at determining the extent of use of complementary-alternative medicine (cam) various cam methods used, and factors influencing cam application by patients with disc herniation. methodology: the subjects of this descriptive study consisted of 134 patients with disc herniation attending the physical therapy and rehabilitation outpatient clinic of a hospital in erzurum, turkey, between january and june 2008. the data were analyzed using chi-square test based on mean and percentages calculated. results: while most patients preferred cam use (71.6%) for treatment of disc herniation disease, some did not (28.4%). types of cam used by the patients varied: 67.7%, herbal medicine; 63.5%, wool belt; 34.4%, hot application; 20.8%, plaster; 14.6%, turkish baths and/ or hot springs; 13.5%, fish and/or fish oil; 9.4%, spinal manipulation; 6.3%, cupping therapy; 6.3 %, salt; 5.3%, massage; 3.1%, corset; 2.1%, plastic bag and soap treatment. no differences were identified between the socio–demographic and disease characteristics of both groups of patients regardless of cam use (p>0.05). conclusions: study showed that patients with disc herniation had higher rates of cam use (71.6%). no differences were determined between the socio–demographic and disease characteristics of both groups of patients regardless of cam use. thus, nurse professionals should train patients about effective and appropriate application of cam.