Chapter 2: Cultural Approaches to Health Flashcards
allopathy
conventional or Western medicine that treats disease by the use of remedies to produce effects different from those produced by the disease under disease
Ayurveda
ancient system of medicine focuses on the body, the sense organs, the mind and the soul. It originated in India approximately 4,000 years ago
complementary and alternative medicine
any non-Western approach to health and wellness. Most common CAMS include acupuncture and reiki
curanderismo
holistic system of healing practiced by Latin Americans and blending spirituality and Western approaches to health and healing
opiates
drugs such as morphine or codeine containing or derived from opium and tending to induce sleep or alleviate pain
qi
Chinese word to describe the natural energy of the universe. The main goal of Traditional Chinese Medicine is to balance the Qi of the body and to increase Qi if needed when one is ill. it also translates to “life force” or “air”.
reductionist
process of explaining something by breaking it down to its smallest part
Shamans
although a general term used for the practitioners of folk medicine, the word shaman originated in Eastern Europe and means “he (or she) who knows”. Shaman are also referred to as “medicine men” and use a range of herbs and rituals
Tao
major Chinese philosophical approach to life and the universe. Based on the Tao Te Ching written by Lao Tzu approximately 2,000 years ago, the Tao is translated to mean “way of life”, “order of the Universe” and can be also seen as a state of living
traditional Chinese medicine
form of medicine used to treat more people than other forms. Characterized by using Tao, Yin and Yang, Qi and meridians to treat the body as a whole
Western biomedicine
the most common approach to medicine; characterized by its heavy reliance to complex scientific methods, technology and reductionism
