Use of Complementary and Alternative Treatment Methods in National Wrestlers: A Phenomenological Analysis

This study is complementary and alternative treatments of Turkey Wrestling National Team athletes and how it is perceived by Turkey Wrestling National Team athletes were made to determine what their perspectives on this method. Phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the study. The study group in Turkey Wrestling National Team athletes constitute four male athletes. A semi-structured interview form was used to collect data in the study. Content analysis method was used in the analysis of the collected data and it was interpreted using quotations within the framework of the questions determined before. According to the findings, which complementary and alternative treatment methods are used, which of these methods are known, by whom these methods are accessed and under what conditions they are used in 4 categories are given in tables. While it turns out that the most used complementary and alternative treatment method is acupuncture, we see that athletes are aware of these methods thanks to physiotherapists and their friends. In addition, it has been revealed that the treatments that athletes are most familiar with are medical leech therapy, ozone therapy and acupuncture. Athletes consider these treatments as a complement to medical treatments and continue these treatments in the presence of expert physiotherapists. One of the suggestions made as a result of the research is that athletes can be informed about complementary and alternative treatment methods by experts through seminars and conferences.