Introduction: Describing Three Non-traditional Healthcare Practices
The three cultures that will be examined in this study will consist of the Filipino, Chinese and Finnish cultures. These were chosen based on how their nontraditional health practices significantly diverged from one another and how their cultures also had considerable differences as well.
The Filipino nontraditional medical practice that will be explored is called “hilot.” This can be considered as being similar to a massage though different from mainstream massages such as Shiatsu. A “manghihilot” is term utilized to describe the masseuse who uses a combination of aromatherapy and massage oils to help the massage in achieving its desired effect. It’s supposed effects include, but are not limited to being able to relieve arthritis, obesity, heart ailments and other similar diseases.
The Chinese non-traditional practice that will be examined is acupuncture which has received a considerable amount of mainstream fame since it has been featured in many movies and TV shows. The method consists of inserting long thin needles into “meridians” that are located in several key areas on the body. These meridians supposedly govern a lot of different bodily functions and, as such, by manipulating them, you are supposedly able to improve the overall health of a person as well as help them when it comes to several types of chronic ailments.
The Finnish nontraditional healthcare practice that will be examined are their extensive use of saunas as a means of improving their health. It is believed by their culture that widespread use of saunas can help a person with a broad range of different ailments of the body due to the removal of toxins via sweat and the heating up of the body via the sauna. This non-traditional healthcare practice has achieved a considerable amount of mainstream acceptability in Sweden as a viable healthcare method despite people from most countries associating saunas as means to relax and sweat and not to cure any particular ailment.
It is the opinion of this paper that non-traditional healthcare options have their place in the culture and belief systems they originate from; however, they are not a replacement for actual medical practices.
How Do These Practices Affect Wellness and Prevention?
In the case of the Philippines, there is little in the way that the practice of hilot impedes wellness and the prevention of disease. It is widely acknowledged within the country that hilot is not a replacement for actual medical solutions and, as such, it is relegated into a means of helping people with chronic pains feel better. The same can be said about saunas and their connection to supposed health benefits in Finland. People within the country also acknowledge the fact that medical care from professionals in a hospital is better than merely going to a sauna.
The story is different in the case of China where acupuncture is considered as a “medical practice” and there are numerous “clinics” that advertise it as an actual medical procedure. Unfortunately, due to acupuncture having a long established “medical history” in China and the cultural attachment people have towards it, the practice continues to be popular in the country with thousands of people utilizing it on a yearly basis (Zylka, 2010). Its impact on the health of thousands of people within China has been criticized by authors such as Zylka (2010) who stated that the belief in these practices stymied rather than promoted the improvement of medical care within the country.
Non-traditional Healthcare Options in the Area
Within the area, the only non-traditional healthcare option that is nearby is the local GNC store that sells herbal medicine such as St. John’s Wort in pill form and other similar remedies. While there are some saunas in some of the more upscale gyms, they are not placed under the same level of importance as their counterparts in Finland. Overall, relatively few people in the local area utilize non-traditional healthcare options. Most of the people that do take them are usually naturalists or gym fanatics that are concerned about their health.
The low number of individuals receiving these alternative means of medication could be due to a relatively young population within the area. Since they are young, they are unlikely to have any chronic illnesses associated with old age. As such, the consumption of herbal supplements and the use of other means of non-traditional healthcare is unlikely to increase. It is interesting to note that the use of non-traditional healthcare is more prevalent in areas with aging populations rather than in young ones (Lott, 2014). This shows that age is a good indicator as to whether or not someone would be inclined towards their use.
Why Are the Number of People Using Non-traditional Healthcare Options Rising?
One of the more obvious reasons behind this trend is the increasing cost of modern day medicine. Simply put, some people cannot afford the sheer costs associated with the medications, medical procedures and other expenses related to going to a doctor or hospital. Since they cannot afford it, they turn to potential alternatives as a means of treatment since they do want to get better (Jordan & Delunas, 2001).
Another of the reasons behind this growing trend is connected to instances of chronic pain. For example, some people suffering from severe arthritis often complain that the medication that they are taking does not adequately address the pain that they are experiencing. Due to their deteriorating quality of life, they pursue other alternatives in desperation resulting in more people utilizing non-traditional healthcare options (Csupor, Boros & Hohmann, 2013).
The last reason behind the rise in non-traditional health care users is the increase in the number of “naturalists” who prefer a more “natural” and less artificial means of combating illness or disease. Naturalists often turn towards the use of herbal remedies to cure all manner of possible diseases. However, the problem with this way of thinking is that the methods and herbs naturalists utilize have been discounted as being utter medical nonsense. While the consumption of particular herbs does have health-boosting properties, they are in no way a means of combating several serious illnesses.
Conclusion
Based on what has been presented so far in this paper, it can be stated that while non-traditional healthcare options have their place in the culture and belief systems they originate from, they are not a replacement for actual medicine. There is nothing inherently wrong with utilizing practices like hilot, acupuncture or extended stays in saunas if you believe that it will contribute towards your improved health. However, these methods should not be considered as replacements for actual medical care when it comes to serious medical conditions. People should realize that non-traditional healthcare has its uses as a type of placebo effect, but they should always be considered as a second or even third option when it comes to dealing with any form of severe or chronic medical condition.
Reference List
Csupor, D., Boros, K., & Hohmann, J. (2013). Low Potency Homeopathic Remedies and Allopathic Herbal Medicines: Is There an Overlap?. Plos ONE, 8(9), 1-5.
Jordan, M. L., & Delunas, L. R. (2001). Quality of Life and Patterns of Nontraditional Therapy Use by Patients With Cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum, 28(7), 1107.
Lott, M. M. (2014). Herbal Remedy. Greenprints, (98), 50.
Zylka, M. J. (2010). Needling adenosine receptors for pain relief. Nature Neuroscience, 13(7), 783-784.