Characterization of patients with referred pain due to osteomyarticular conditions treated with Natural and Traditional Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Currently in Cuba and the world the application of methods of natural and traditional medicine (NTM) is increasing in different osteomyoarticular pathologies. Objective: to characterize the patients with pain due to osteomyoarticular affections treated in the MNT consultation of the rehabilitation room of the polyclinic "Dr. Carlos Juan Finlay", from the Colón municipality in the Matanzas province, between the months of June to December of the year 2019. Method: an observational, descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective study from 675 patients diagnosed with osteomyoarticular conditions, of which 365 who suffered from pain were selected. Variables were studied: age, sex, osteomyoarticular affections diagnosed, NTM modality applied and clinical evolution according to number of treatment sessions. Results: Patients in the age range between 50 and 59 years (24.4%) and females (73.7%) predominated. The osteomyoarticular pain conditions with the highest incidence were low back pain (32.1%), and neck pain (30.9%). The most used NTM modality was pharmacopuncture (40.5%). Clinical improvement was observed in up to (88.8%) of the patients with 5 to 9 treatment sessions. Conclusions: The patients who most attended NTM therapy were mainly middle-aged, older adults, and female. The highest incidence corresponded to sacrolumbalgia. Pharmacopuncture was the most used procedure. These results are similar to those of other bibliographic sources consulted.