Complementary medicine use, views, and experiences: a national survey in England
Moderate EvidenceIn Plain Language
In 2005,12% of the English population visited a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioner. To obtain up-to-date general population figures for practitioner-led CAM use in England, and to discover people's views and experiences regarding access. A face-to-face questionnaire survey was commissioned. A nationally representative adult quota sample (aged ≥15 years) was used. Ten questions were included within Ipsos MORI's weekly population-based survey. The questions explored 12-month practitioner-led CAM use, reasons for non-use, views on NHS-provided CAM, and willingness to pay. Of 4862 adults surveyed, 766 (16%) had seen a CAM practitioner. People most commonly visited CAM practitioners for manual therapies (massage, osteopathy, chiropractic) and acupuncture, as well as yoga, pilates, reflexology, and mindfulness or meditation. Women, people with higher socioeconomic status (SES) and those in south England were more likely to access CAM. Musculoskeletal conditions (mainly back pain) accounted for 68% of use, and mental health 12%. Most was through self-referral (70%) and self-financing. GPs (17%) or NHS professionals (4%) referred and/or recommended CAM to users. These CAM users were more often unemployed, with lower income and social grade, and receiving NHS-funded CAM. Responders were willing to pay varying amounts for CAM; 22% would not pay anything. Almost two in five responders felt NHS funding and GP referral and/or endorsement would increase their CAM use. CAM use in England is common for musculoskeletal and mental health problems, but varies by sex, geography, and SES. It is mainly self-referred and self-financed; some is GP-endorsed and/or referred, especially for individuals of lower SES. Researchers, patients, and commissioners should collaborate to research the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of CAM and consider its availability on the NHS.
Key Findings: what this cross-sectional study found
- ✓In 2005, 12% of the English population visited a complementary and alternative medicine practitioner, which increased to 16% by the time of this survey.
- ✓The most common reasons for visiting CAM practitioners were manual therapies (massage, osteopathy, chiropractic), acupuncture, yoga, pilates, reflexology, and mindfulness or meditation.
- ✓Women, people with higher socioeconomic status, and those living in south England were significantly more likely to access CAM practitioners.
What This Means for You
This survey shows reflexology is among the more popular complementary therapies in England, but evidence for its effectiveness comes mainly from this survey data rather than rigorous clinical trials.
What This Means for Practitioners
Most reflexology users self-refer and self-pay, but positioning your practice for NHS referral and emphasizing evidence-based outcomes could help attract the growing segment of patients seeking practitioner endorsement.
Study Design: how this cross-sectional study was run
Common questions about this study
What does this study mean in practice?
This survey shows reflexology is among the more popular complementary therapies in England, but evidence for its effectiveness comes mainly from this survey data rather than rigorous clinical trials.
What did this study find?
In 2005, 12% of the English population visited a complementary and alternative medicine practitioner, which increased to 16% by the time of this survey. The most common reasons for visiting CAM practitioners were manual therapies (massage, osteopathy, chiropractic), acupuncture, yoga, pilates, reflexology, and mindfulness or meditation. Women, people with higher socioeconomic status, and those living in south England were significantly more likely to access CAM practitioners.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a cross-sectional study and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 4,862 participants. It was published in BJGP open. This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.
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