M E D I C U S - Shoqata e Mjekëve Shqiptarë të Maqedonisë-Hipokrati

informed their doctor for use of alternative and complementary therapy and the rest 52
patients (38.8%) have not disclosed that information to their doctor (Table 4).
Table 4.
Disclosure of the information for use of alternative and complementary therapy to
the doctor
DISCUSSION
Disclosure of the information for use of
alternative and complementary therapy to the doctor
Users
Yes 82
No 52
Total 134
Our study showed that 134 patients (74.4%) of the patients interviewed used some
kind of alternative or complementary measure for treating existing musculoskeletal
disorders. Murray and Shephard (1993) [14] found that 43 percent of the patients sampled
had used manipulative treatment, including osteopathy, massage, chiropractic, and
acupuncture. Pain, specifically when it involves the back, is the most common condition
for which alternative medicine therapies were sought. In the study conducted by
Eisenberg DM et al, (1993) [15] , 20% of the patients used unconventional therapy for back
problems and 29% due to arthritis and sprains or strains. Furthermore, the study by
Moore J et al, (1985) [16] confirmed that the most common reason for use of alternative
therapy by patients in London is pain (45% of the interviewed), followed by stress,
depression and fatigue.
In general, studies show that the conditions for which people seek alternative care
seem to have one common denominator - they are chronic. It does not appear, however,
that patients are abandoning conventional medicine. In fact, many studies have shown
that patients who use alternative methods also continue to use traditional medicine [15] [17] .
The results of our study showed that massage, chiropractic, acupuncture and local
herbal therapy were most commonly used methods among patients suffering from
musculoskeletal disorders. The results of similar studies also showed that chiropractic,
herbal therapy and food supplements are among the most commonly used alternative
measures [11] [13] .
Although there are studies showing the therapeutic efficacy of alternative therapy,
there are risks and unwanted effects associated with their use. Most commonly, severe
unwanted effects occur as a result of spinal manipulations. There is a risk of transmitting
infection in cases where not sterile needles were used. The most problematic
contraindication of acupuncture is the presence of a cardiac pacemaker when electrical
stimulation on needles is indicated. There is a traditional contraindication to using
acupuncture in the first trimester of pregnancy and certain points to be avoided thereafter.
Some of the forbidden points are anatomically related to the uterus, and some are
powerful autonomic switches, so caution is reasonable [18] .