Key Finding
Eighty-eight percent of surveyed sports medicine physicians prescribed at least one CAM therapy in the previous year, with chiropractic/osteopathic manipulation and acupuncture being the most commonly recommended modalities.
Sports medicine doctors are increasingly turning to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to help athletes recover from injuries. Researchers surveyed 257 sports medicine physicians who are members of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine to understand which CAM treatments they recommend and why.
The results showed that 88% of responding physicians had prescribed at least one type of CAM therapy in the previous year. These doctors identified 23 different CAM approaches they use with their patients. The most commonly recommended treatment was chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, followed by acupuncture and electroacupuncture, and yoga. Less frequently prescribed options included omega-3 fatty acids, riboflavin supplements, and meditation.
Physicians used these CAM therapies to treat a wide range of sports-related conditions, including injuries to ligaments, tendons, and muscles, as well as concussions and low back pain. Importantly, the survey participants reported believing that many of these CAM treatments were effective for their patients.
What this means for athletes: If you're working with a sports medicine physician, there's a good chance they may recommend complementary therapies like acupuncture as part of your recovery plan. The high usage rate among sports medicine specialists suggests these treatments are becoming mainstream options for athletic injuries. Acupuncture, in particular, ranked as the second most commonly prescribed CAM therapy, indicating growing acceptance within the sports medicine community. If you're considering acupuncture for a sports injury, work with a licensed acupuncturist who has experience treating athletes and sports-related conditions.
This cross-sectional survey examined CAM prescribing patterns among American Medical Society for Sports Medicine physician members. Of 257 respondents (11% response rate), 88% prescribed at least one CAM modality within the preceding year. Participants identified 23 distinct CAM interventions, with chiropractic/osteopathic manipulation being most prevalent, followed by acupuncture/electroacupuncture and yoga. Less common prescriptions included omega-3 fatty acids, riboflavin, and meditation. CAM therapies were utilized across common sports medicine pathologies including ligamentous, tendinous, and muscular injuries, concussion, and low back pain. Survey participants reported perceived efficacy for many prescribed modalities, though the study did not quantify specific effect sizes. Clinical takeaway: CAM utilization among sports medicine physicians is substantial, with acupuncture representing a frequently prescribed therapeutic option. The high adoption rate suggests integration of evidence-informed CAM modalities into contemporary sports medicine practice, though the low survey response rate limits generalizability of findings.
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