Perception of health and illness in different

culture and socities

objectives

At the end of this lecture the student will be able to

 Define health, illness and perception.
 Discuss Perception of health and illness in society.
 Discuss Hindu and Muslim perception.
 Manipulative and Body-based Therapies.
 Biologically Based Therapies.
 Energy – Based Therapies.
Health

 DEFINITIONS OF HEALTH “Health is a state of complete

physical, mental, social well-being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity.”
Illness

 Illness is a subjective state of the person who feels aware of

not being well
Disease

 The term disease literally means “without ease” (uneasiness),

when something is wrong with bodily function
 Disease is a physiological/psychological dysfunction.
Perception

 Perception is the sensory experience of the world .it involves

both recognizing environmental stimuli and actions in
response to these stimuli .
 It is not only creates our experience of the world around us ;it
allows us to act with in our environment.
Perception of health in society

 Every society has its own traditional beliefs and practices

related to health care.
 Beliefs in supernatural powers, i.e. God, beliefs in holy
rituals ,offerings and sacrifices are applied
at different stages of life from birth to death.
Perception of illness in society
 Illness/diseases are caused by wrath of the god/goddess
 STDs are caused due to illicit sexual intercourse
 HIV/AIDS caused among poor socio economic people
 Children are most susceptible to the effect of'evil eye'
 Illness can be prevented by eating certain types of foods.
 Foods such as meat, egg, fish are considered to generate heat.

 HIV/AIDS caused among poor socio economic people 49.3 30.7 14.7 5.3
 Leprosy and tuberculosis caused due to their past sins 29.3 26.7 36 8
 Children are most susceptible to the effect of 'evil eye' 20 34.7 36 9.3
 Childhood diseases are attributed to the anger of god. 40 36 22.7 1.3
 Hysteria or epilepsy (fits) are due to ghost intrusion 40 48 10.7 1.3
 Illness can be traced by enemies 38.7 36 22.7 2.7
 Illness can be prevented by eating certain types of foods. 14.7 45.3 30.7 9.3
 Foods such as meat, egg, fish are considered to generate heat 14.7 20 37.3 28
 Foods such as curds, milk, vegetables are believed to cool the body. 8 20 21.3 50.7
 Fasting leads to nutritional deficiency disorder
Muslims perceptions

 Muslim patients believe illness suffering pain and dying as a

test from god and perceive illness as a trial by which one's sins
are removed
 Islam attaches significant importance to health, so taking care
of one's health is religious duty
Hindus perception

 Hindus believe that all illness whether physical or mental have

a biological and psychological and spiritual elements
 Treatment which do not address all three causes may not be
considered effective by a Hindu patient
Healing system

1) Allopathic
2) Systems of Health Care
 Traditional Chinese Medicine
 Native American medicine
 Homeopathy
3) Mind-Body Therapies
 Journaling
 Imagery
 Meditation
4) Manipulative Therapies
 Massage
 Tai Chi
Cont.….

5)Biologic Based Therapies

 Aromatherapy
 Herbal preparations
6)Energy Therapies
 Healing touch
 Therapeutic touch
 Reiki
Mind-Body

Meditation
 Stress relief/ reduce anxiety
 Relaxation
 Reduced levels of lactic acid
 Decreased oxygen consumption
 Slowed heart rate
 Decreased blood pressure
 Improved function of immune system
 Reduce pain
 Relieve symptoms of psoriasis
 Improve health
Relaxation

Relaxation techniques
 To reduce anxiety, tension & emotional tension which can
exacerbate pain
Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR)
 Promoting sleep
 Reduction of pain & stress.
Spirituality

 Life force beliefs found in most cultures.

 Faith healing
 Prayer
 Most Widely Used
 For Self
 For Others
 Healing Prayer Services
 Prayer Groups
Manipulative and body-based methods

Movement & exercise

 Strengthens circulatory & respiratory function
 Helps regulate metabolism
 Enhances Immune system
Manipulative and Body-based Therapies

Yoga
 “life forces in correct balance and flow
 Concentration, strength, flexibility, symbolic movements
 Breathing, movement & posture
Tai Chi
 Promotes the flow of qi or energy throughout the body
 Used in cardiac rehabilitation programs, can lower BP
Massage

 Muscles & Soft Tissues relaxation

Energy – Based Therapies

A form of complementary and alternative medicine based on the

belief that a vital energy flows through the human body. The goal of
energy therapy is to balance the energy flow in the patient. It is used
to reduce stress and anxiety and promote well-being.
 Therapeutic massage
 Therapeutic touch
 Healing touch
 Reiki
 Acupressure
 Reflexology
Energy – Based Therapies

TT (Therapeutic Touch)
 Integral to assessment
 Bonding
 Communication
 Soothing, calming, comfort
Reiki

 Reiki is a Japanese form of alternative medicine called energy

healing. Reiki practitioners use a technique called palm
healing or hands-on healing through which a "universal
energy" is said to be transferred through the palms of the
practitioner to the patient in order to encourage emotional or
physical healing.
Cont..
Acupressure
 Acupressure is an ancient healing art that's based on the traditional
Chinese medicine practice of acupuncture. With acupressure, you put
pressure on specific places on your body. These places are called
acupoints. Pressing these points can help release muscle tension and
promote blood circulation.
 Acupressure practitioners use their fingers, palms, elbows or feet, or
special devices i.e. needles etc. to apply pressure to acupoints on the
body.
e.g.
Migraine headache
Pain and Anesthesia
Cont..
Biologically Based Therapies

Biological based therapies (BBT) is an important type of CAM

and is defined as the use of substances found in nature, such as
herbs, foods, and vitamins. BBT is the second most commonly
utilized CAM, with the first being prayer therapy.
 Dietary Therapies
 Herbs
 Vitamins
 Aromatherapy
Garlic

 Lowers Cholesterol, Lowers BP, Natural Antibiotic,

 Natural Anti-platelet Agent
 BUT Causes BLEEDING with other Anti-platelet Drugs
 Potentiates Anti-diabetic Drugs
 Avoid before Surgery
Aromatherapy

 Essences from oils extracted from plants & flowers.

 Conditions responsive to aromatherapy:
 Stress and anxiety
 Muscular and rheumatic pains
 Digestive disorders
 Skin conditions