Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 1998; 3: 194
In a recent study we found that substantial numbers of patients with inflammatory bowel disease use complementary therapies to manage their disease. Chiropractic treatment and herbal medicine were modalities these patients indicated to use. Therefore, we explored whether chiropractors and herbalists see these patients and what their opinions are about treatment for these patients.
A random sample of 100 chiropractors and all herbalists (n = 26) practising in Calgary (AB) were asked to respond to a questionnaire, which included questions based on two case scenarios (a patient with ulcerative colitis and one with Chrohn’s disease). During pretesting chiropractors indicated to prefer a mailed questionnaire. Personal interviews were done with herbalists.
66% of chiropractors and 62% of herbalists completed the questionnaire/interview. All chiropractors were licensed as compared to 25% of herbalists. Most respondents had seen patients with ulcerative colitis and at least 80% of each group would treat these patients. Almost all chiropractors used spinal manipulation, whereas herbalists used a wide range of different herbs. 85% of chiropractors would also refer these patients as compared to only 18% of herbalists. On a scale from 1 (very effective) to 5 (ineffective), spinal manipulation was rated as 2.7 and herbal treatment as 1.7. The results with respect to the second scenario (Chohn’s disease) were very similar.
While most respondents have seen IBD patients and would treat these patients, chiropractors are more consistent in their approach and more likely to engage in concomitant care.
