How widely used are Complementary and Alternative Medicine remedies?
Over 130 unconventional modalities and >500 remedies to treat patients have been described. Previous studies indicated that 60% to 90% of patients with rheumatic diseases have used some form of CAM. Rheumatologic conditions are among the commonest disease conditions encountered by CAM practitioners. According to the 2007 National Health Institute Survey, 83 million US adults spent $33.9 billion out-of-pocket on visits to CAM practitioners and on purchases of CAM products, classes, and materials. In total, there were approximately 354 million visits to CAM practitioners and approximately 835 million purchases.
