A study on alternative medical treatments has determined that in addition to chiropractic care, acupuncture and massage therapy are increasingly being utilized by auto injury insurance claimants. While chiropractic treatment remains the most utilized alternative treatment, the overall increase in these other alternative treatments means that they are showing up in as many as one out of every three auto injury insurance claims.

The results were published by the Insurance Research Council (IRC) in a report called, "Alternative Medical Treatment in Auto Injury Insurance Claims." Researchers looked at treatment utilization and cost data for more than 72,000 auto injury insurance claims closed with a payment in 2002. Thirty-two insurance companies participated in the study, which accounts for 58 percent of the private passenger auto insurance market.

The prevalence of alternative treatments, however, isn't reflected in equally in all states, a fact researchers found disturbing. Whether injuries took place in a tort-based state or a no-fault state, the alternative treatment percentages varied drastically, despite the fact that injuries were often very similar.