The term psychosomatic is derived by combining two Greek roots, psyche (“mind”) and soma (“body”). Psychosomatic medicine refers both to a scientific paradigm and medical institutions (journals, textbooks, learned societies, medical schools) that are premised on the inextricable physiological relationship between mind and body. The psychosomatic approach to research, education, and treatment acknowledges the potential
The term medicine man is derived from (a) the French Jesuit observance of certain individuals with healing roles among Canadian Indian groups (medicine) or (b) the Inuit angakoq or medicine person. The term is usually considered an anachronism in contemporary anthropological literature, with the Siberian Tungus word shaman preferred in most cases. However, among contemporary
Alternative Medicine Careers Background The United States has been involved in an escalating health care crisis since the 1980s. Alternative health care (also called alternative medicine) plays an increasingly important role both in stirring the conflict and in contributing to potential solutions. What is the health care crisis? There is a growing feeling of alienation
Nuclear medicine technologists prepare and administer chemicals known as radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive drugs) used in the diagnosis and treatment of certain diseases. These drugs are administered to a patient and absorbed by specific locations in the patient’s body, thus allowing technologists to use diagnostic equipment to image and analyze their concentration in certain tissues or organs.
Oriental medicine practitioners, or OM practitioners, are health care professionals who practice a variety of health care therapies that are part of the ancient healing system of Oriental medicine. Oriental medicine is a comprehensive system of health care. It includes several major modalities: acupuncture, Chinese herbology, Oriental bodywork or massage, exercise, and dietary therapy. Each
The Banyang people of Cameroon, West Africa, have a strong physical connection to the physical world and the underworld. The Banyang are not exactly animistic; they do not ascribe sentience to natural phenomena. But they believe that natural phenomena are the abode of spirits. Lakes and rivers, hills and forests are inhabited by spirits that
This article explores the pivotal role of behavioral medicine approaches in cancer care within the field of health psychology. The introduction sets the stage by defining behavioral medicine and elucidating its application in the context of cancer treatment. The significance of integrating psychosocial, cognitive-behavioral, and mindfulness-based interventions into conventional cancer care is underscored in three
Maternal and fetal medicine (MFM) is the subspecialty within the field of obstetrics and gynecology that deals with the complications of pregnancy. The problems are varied but can fit into one of several categories: Maternal disease: either the disease or the treatment may affect the fetus or pregnancy (e.g., diabetes and hypertension). Disease arising as
This article explores the paradigm of personalized medicine in mental health within the framework of health psychology. The introduction elucidates the definition and historical evolution of personalized medicine, highlighting its pivotal role in tailoring mental health interventions to individual needs. The first section delves into the biological underpinnings, emphasizing genetic, neurobiological, and epigenetic factors that