Using an ethnomedical approach of anthropology, this is the way in which we understand a disease as well as depict what the illness actually is. This approach surrounds a cultural identity with relation to the ways that different cultures use biomedicine or the lack thereof. There are many systems that are included in ethnomedical approach such as the most common form of healing used in western societies, biomedicine which refers to the use of technological aid and sophisticated medical practices. This type of healing is the most common among the American population, however healing practices differ greatly across cultures as there are many social factors that contribute to other cultures healing practices. While there are also many forms of healing that target different areas than just physical states such as psychological health, the most widely used practices for CHD seem to be some of the most advanced areas of biomedicine. These involve intricate procedures with years of practice in order to be successful and not have fatal outcomes. In this picture, a coronary artery bypass is shown as the cholesterol build-up is limiting the ability of the artery to transfer blood (1). This limitation means that a biomedical procedure is necessary to keep the heart from stopping blood flow, so another artery from the body is grafted to bypass the artery with build-up. Although this type of healing is well recognized and denies fatal outcomes, there is a great cost for saving a life especially where such specialty training is needed for the healing procedures. Health care is one of the greatest problems we face today both in western societies and globally. There are health care systems that show much respect for ethnomedical systems as they keep our bodies healthier as opposed to being reactive to symptoms of illness and disease.
Here is another example of healing through a different cultural sense with the use of shamanic practice (2). Though it may not seem to be doing anything from a biomedical perspective, the psychological factors can be quite beneficial. Through a sort of meditation and deep sense of relaxation, stress can be relieved, which could ultimately lower blood pressure in some individuals and also repress feelings of anxiety or nervousness. With practices such as these and other shaman techniques, our readings have also concluded that these practices can especially be helpful among children with chronic and fatal illnesses and diseases, where it may be quite difficult to find emotional and psychological comfort.
Citations:
1."Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Symptoms, Causes, Treatments." Picture. Accessed August 13, 2013, http://www.medicinenet.com/coronary_artery_bypass_graft/page4.htm
2."Reiki and Shamanic Healing Practioners." YouTube video, 4:21. Posted by "bayofnaples1." October 5, 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huB0XCpz2Hc
1."Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Symptoms, Causes, Treatments." Picture. Accessed August 13, 2013, http://www.medicinenet.com/coronary_artery_bypass_graft/page4.htm
2."Reiki and Shamanic Healing Practioners." YouTube video, 4:21. Posted by "bayofnaples1." October 5, 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huB0XCpz2Hc