Pelvic pain has a prevalence of >25% in women and >15% in men, and up to 50% of cases are undiagnosed, demonstrating that there is a definite need for pelvic care awareness among health care practitioners. As holistic practitioners, acupuncturists offer a safe space for clients and are often the practitioners clients seek out when nothing else has worked. Thus, acupuncturists are presented with an opportunity to serve an underserved population.
Acupuncture Poll
The Acupuncture Poll question for December 2004 was:
What percentage of your patients are referred to you from medical doctors or chiropractors?
Results:
These results are based upon 283 responses. As this is a voluntary, non-scientific survey, caution should be used in generalizing the results. Here is a sample of the comments made by those who took the survey and how they voted. Some comments have been edited for brevity.
0%-25%: In New Jersey, patients need a diagnosis or referral ... while all of my patients have a diagnosis, very, very few come to my office with a referral.
26%-50%: The percentage increases every year.
26%-50%: I find MDs and DCs are accepting of acupuncture, especially when allopathy has failed the patient.
To vote in the current Acupuncture Poll, or to review comments and responses to previous poll questions, visit www.acupuncturetoday.com/acupuncturepoll.