Analysis of CAM and Acupuncture Usage

This page presents data from two distinct surveys, both highlighting the primary conditions for which alternative and traditional therapies are sought:

Adult CAM Usage by Condition (2002 vs 2007)

2002
2007

Note on Calculation: Percentages represent the proportional share of CAM usage for each category *within* that year's total reported uses. Each year's data is normalized to a 100% total to compare the *distribution* of usage, not the absolute number of users.

Grouping Criteria:

  • Musculoskeletal: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Joint Pain, Arthritis, Other Musculoskeletal, Recurring Pain
  • Respiratory: Head or Chest Cold
  • Mental/Neurological: Anxiety/Depression, Severe Headache or Migraine, Insomnia
  • Other: Cholesterol, Stomach Upset

Source: Fisher, C. (2009, December 8). The use of complementary and alternative medicine in the United States. BMED Report. https://www.bmedreport.com/archives/7687

Perceived Effectiveness of Acupuncture by Condition

Note on Calculation: The pie chart represents the distribution of total responses. Since respondents could select multiple conditions, the raw counts were summed (Total: 5,145) and each category's proportion of that total is shown.

Grouping Criteria:

  • Musculoskeletal (29.5%): "운동, 골 관절계 질환" (Movement, Musculoskeletal), "퇴행성 신경 질환" (Degenerative Neurological)
  • Digestive (18.4%): "소화기계" (Digestive)
  • Respiratory (12.9%): "호흡기계 질환" (Respiratory), "이비인후과 질환" (ENT)
  • Mental/Neurological (10.3%): "신경, 정신과 질환" (Neurological, Psychiatric)
  • Circulatory (6.0%): "순환기계 질환" (Circulatory)
  • Gynecological (5.6%): "부인과 질환" (Gynecological)
  • Other (17.3%): "신, 비뇨기과" (Kidney, Urological), "안과" (Ophthalmological), "내분비, 대사계" (Endocrine, Metabolic), "면역, 감염계" (Immune, Infectious), "혈액 조혈계" (Hematopoietic)

Source: Han Chang Hyun, 박지은, Sangwoo Ahn and SunMi Choi. (2005). A Survey about the recognition regarding the Korean acupuncture method and research direction. THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL HISTORY , 18(1), 89-101.

Key Finding & Future Consideration

A key finding is the overwhelming prominence of musculoskeletal disorders. Chart 1 (U.S. Consumer Survey) reveals this from the consumer's perspective, while Chart 2 (Korean Practitioner Survey) confirms the same finding from the practitioner's perspective.

Given this strong, consistent demand from both patients and practitioners, it is worth considering this area as a primary focus for future study and research.