Table 1 Frequency of consultations with doctors, allied health practitioners and/or alternative practitioners for back pain
Health care practitioner | Frequency | Percent |
|---|---|---|
Medical doctors | ||
 General practitioner | 664 | 55.6 |
 Orthopaedic specialist | 94 | 7.9 |
 Rheumatologist | 75 | 6.3 |
 Neurologist | 47 | 3.9 |
 Other medical practitioner | 42 | 3.5 |
 Any medical doctor | 697 | 58.4 |
Allied health practitioners | ||
 Physiotherapist | 430 | 36.0 |
 Pharmacist | 243 | 20.4 |
 Nurse | 40 | 3.4 |
 Occupational therapist | 28 | 2.4 |
 Other allied health practitioner | 104 | 8.7 |
 Any allied health practitioner | 647 | 54.2 |
Alternative health practitioners | ||
 Massage therapist | 515 | 43.1 |
 Chiropractor | 441 | 36.9 |
 Acupuncturist | 154 | 12.9 |
 Herbalist/naturopath | 110 | 9.2 |
 Meditation/yoga therapist | 106 | 8.9 |
 Osteopath | 101 | 8.5 |
 Reiki therapist | 37 | 3.1 |
 Reflexologist | 35 | 2.9 |
 Traditional Chinese medicine therapist | 30 | 2.5 |
 Aromatherapist | 23 | 1.9 |
 Craniosacral therapist | 17 | 1.4 |
 Other alternative health practitioner | 196 | 16.4 |
 Any alternative health practitioner | 903 | 75.6 |