Table 3 Treatments used by study participants (n = 235) and perceived helpfulness
Strategy | Reported use* | Helpfulness** | Rated strategy > moderately helpful %*** | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Â | n | % | Mean | (SD) | Â |
Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) | 143 | 61 | 2.3 | (1.0) | 40 |
Regular exercise program (e.g., walking, swimming, lifting weights) | 136 | 58 | 2.5 | (1.0) | 43 |
Prayer or spiritual practice | 124 | 53 | 2.9 | (0.9) | 59 |
Heat or cold | 112 | 48 | 2.5 | (1.0) | 45 |
Glucosamine &/or chondroiton | 96 | 41 | 1.7 | (1.2) | 20 |
Physical therapy | 88 | 37 | 2.0 | (1.2) | 30 |
Creams or ointments (e.g., Icy Hot®, Tiger Balm®, capsaicin) | 73 | 31 | 1.9 | (0.9) | 21 |
NSAIDS (e.g., Motrin®, Celebrex®) | 60 | 26 | 2.4 | (1.0) | 48 |
Opioids (e.g., Vicodin®, Tylenol® #3, morphine) | 59 | 25 | 2.6 | (0.8) | 52 |
Relaxation techniques (e.g., meditation, relaxation response, progressive muscle relaxation) | 51 | 22 | 2.1 | (0.9) | 24 |
Injection of medication directly into joint (e.g., knee, hip) | 34 | 15 | 2.2 | (1.7) | 58 |
Massage therapies (e.g., Rolfing, Swedish, shiatsu) | 31 | 13 | 2.2 | (1.1) | 36 |
Antidepressants (e.g., nortriptyline, desipramine) | 27 | 12 | 2.2 | (1.1) | 42 |
Chiropractic care | 26 | 11 | 2.3 | (1.6) | 44 |
Anti-seizure medications (e.g., Neurontin®) | 25 | 11 | 2.1 | (1.5) | 36 |
High-dose or mega-vitamin therapies, not including a daily vitamin or vitamins prescribed by your physician | 20 | 9 | 1.4 | (1.3) | 18 |
Splints or braces | 19 | 8 | 2.3 | (0.9) | 42 |
Special diet programs (or losing or gaining weight, like the kind you have to pay for, but not including trying to lose or gain weight on your own) | 19 | 8 | 1.7 | (1.5) | 29 |
Spiritual or religious healing by others | 17 | 7 | 3.0 | (0.8) | 69 |
Acupuncture | 17 | 7 | 1.1 | (1.2) | 7 |
Energy healing (e.g., magnets, energy machines, the laying of hands, Reiki, Therapeutic Touch) | 16 | 7 | 1.5 | (1.0) | 13 |
Movement therapy (e.g., yoga, tai chi, feldenkrais) | 15 | 6 | 2.4 | (1.5) | 53 |
Foot reflexology | 14 | 6 | 1.7 | (1.2) | 23 |
Chronic illness or arthritis education classes | 10 | 4 | 2.0 | (0.8) | 25 |
Herbal therapies (e.g., arnica, evening primrose) | 10 | 4 | 2.0 | (1.5) | 33 |
TENS unit | 9 | 4 | 1.4 | (1.6) | 22 |
A lifestyle diet like vegetarianism or macrobiotics | 8 | 3 | 2.5 | (1.2) | 63 |
Special jewelry (e.g., copper bracelet) | 8 | 3 | 0.4 | (0.8) | 0 |
A self-help group, other than this study | 7 | 3 | 2.4 | (1.1) | 57 |
Imagery techniques (e.g., guided imagery) | 7 | 3 | 1.6 | (1.1) | 14 |
Homeopathy | 6 | 3 | 1.5 | (1.8) | 33 |
Lidoderm patch | 6 | 3 | 2.4 | (1.8) | 60 |
Infusion of pain medication directly into spine using a pump | 4 | 2 | 2.3 | (2.1) | 50 |
Spinal cord stimulator | 4 | 2 | 2.5 | (1.3) | 50 |
Folk remedy | 3 | 1 | 3.0 | (1.0) | 67 |
Naturopathy | 3 | 1 | 1.3 | (1.2) | 0 |
Osteopathy | 3 | 1 | 4.0 | (0.0) | 100 |
Psychotherapy/counselling | 3 | 1 | 2.3 | (1.5) | 33 |
Aromatherapy | 3 | 1 | 1.5 | (0.7) | 0 |
Biofeedback | 2 | 1 | 1.0 | (1.4) | 0 |
Hypnosis | 2 | 1 | 3.0 | (1.4) | 50 |
Nerve blocks | 2 | 1 | 3.5 | (0.7) | 100 |