Table 4.

Commonest reasons given for using the 5 most popular CAMs

Type of CAM	Specific reasons stated for using CAM	% (n)	95% C.I*
Massage (n = 106)	Musculo-skeletal problems	47% (50)	37% to 57%
	Recommended by friend	7% (7)	3% to 13%
	Neurological problems	5% (5)	2% to 11%
Vitamins (n = 85)	Musculo-skeletal problems	19% (16)	11% to 29%
	General wellbeing	14% (12)	8% to 23%
	To get better	9% (8)	4% to 18%
Health food/dietary supplement (n = 56)	Musculo-skeletal problems	21% (12)	12% to 34%
	General wellbeing	16% (9)	8% to 28%
	To get better	13% (7)	5% to 24%
Acupressure (n = 51)	Musculo-skeletal problems	35% (18)	22% to 50%
	Recommended by friend	10% (5)	3% to 21%
	General wellbeing	6% (3)	1% to 16%
Kampo (n = 46)	Musculo-skeletal problems	15% (7)	6% to 29%
	Gynaecological problems	13% (6)	5% to 26%
	Lack of perceived side effects	11% (5)	4% to 24%

*C.I = Confidence Interval