Hmong, Tibetan, and Western Biomedical Healers and Healing Practices.
In the ancient times before the advent of the modern diagnosis and treatment methods, each culture had its own way of diagnosing, treating, and explaining diseases and illnesses. Today, there are complex scientific methods that are designed to identify and manage anomalies in the human body through rational explanations. However, some of the effective ancient methods are still in use while others are gaining acceptance. Such methods are usually referred to as Alternative Medicine. Any method that does not fall within the category of the conventional medicine and encompasses cultural and ancient practices is referred to as alternative medicine.
The Tibetan and Hmong medical practices are some of the ancient practices that have persisted and continue to thrive in the era of modern conventional medicine. However, in all medical systems, there are certain aspects that are common. The healing systems relate the body to the cosmos, have explanations for causes of illnesses, have diagnostic tools and methods, have healers and helpers, and they have preventive and curative measures. This article will focus on these aspects (universals) in the context of the Tibetan and Hmong systems and compare them with the western biomedical model.
Relation of the Body and the Cosmos
Cosmos relates to a harmonious balanced system. The Hmong and Tibetan medical systems hold that the body, the soul, and the spirits exist in a harmonious system. The Hmong believe that the human world and the spirit world exist in balance and the good relationship is maintained by ceremonies and sacrifices to please the spirits. They also believe that the ancestors who are now part of the spirit world determine a persons health and wealth (Lecture 8 notes).
On the other hand, the modern western biomedical system has a one dimensional view. It holds a naturalistic view that only the material world exists and that everything operates within the natural laws (Lecture 2 notes).
Causes of Illnesses
The Tibetan and Hmong systems hold that illnesses occur when there is a disturbance of the cosmos balance. To the Tibetan and Hmong, an illness is a punishment by the spirit world due to transgressions or violations against the spirit world or the social world (Lecture 7 notes). Mandel notes that among the Tibetan, illnesses are embraced and not pushed away (30910) as they represent an imbalance.
The modern biomedical system holds that an illness is caused by changes in the body as a result of an imbalance in natural body elements or functions. An illness is a manifestation of the imbalance (Lecture 7 notes).
Diagnostic Methods and Tools
Among the Tibetan and the Hmong, diagnosis of an illness is done through divination. Divination involves communication with the spirits and interpretation of their demands to correct the transgressions against the spirits and the society. The tools used in diagnosis in these systems include Tarot cards, palmistry, and casting of stones and may be accompanied by ceremonies (Lecture 7 notes).
The biomedical relies on scientific instruments and procedures for bodily examination to explain the symptoms and hence identify the illness. The biomedical system examines the symptoms and then uses scientific machinery and procedures to identify the imbalances within the body that are causing the illness. The methods and tools are usually less intrusive (Lecture 7 notes).
Healers and Helpers
In the Tibetan and Hmong systems, a shaman plays the role of the healer of the body, mind, and soul. The shaman acts as a mediator who is able to connect the spirit world and the human world. The spirits then communicate their desires to the shaman who then relays the information to the human world. The shaman goes into a trance whereby his spirit leaves the body and travels to the spirit world (Lecture 9 notes). The shamans are usually assisted by their apprentices.
In the biomedical system, the healers are persons who have been highly trained and some attaining a high degree of specialization. The healers use scientific based methods to deal with the illnesses. The helpers of the healers are also highly trained in dealing with the illnesses.
Preventive and Curative Measures
One of the causes of illnesses under the Tibetan and Hmong systems is by the individuals allowing themselves to be vulnerable to spirit intervention or by allowing one to be vulnerable to witchcraft. Measures such as protecting oneself from witchcraft can be used as preventive measure. Items such as talismans are used to ward off evil spirits and curses. Curative measures may include sacrificial offerings, herbal remedies, or a request (Lecture 9 notes). Mandel discussed in class that among the Tibetan, sound bowls are used for better health and well being (30910).
In biomedical systems, vaccinations and risk reduction measures are used as preventive measures. Curative measures involve the elimination of the elements causing the imbalances. The treatment measures are mostly chemical or lifestyle based.
The Tibetan and Hmong medical practices are some of the ancient practices that have persisted and continue to thrive in the era of modern conventional medicine. However, in all medical systems, there are certain aspects that are common. The healing systems relate the body to the cosmos, have explanations for causes of illnesses, have diagnostic tools and methods, have healers and helpers, and they have preventive and curative measures. This article will focus on these aspects (universals) in the context of the Tibetan and Hmong systems and compare them with the western biomedical model.
Relation of the Body and the Cosmos
Cosmos relates to a harmonious balanced system. The Hmong and Tibetan medical systems hold that the body, the soul, and the spirits exist in a harmonious system. The Hmong believe that the human world and the spirit world exist in balance and the good relationship is maintained by ceremonies and sacrifices to please the spirits. They also believe that the ancestors who are now part of the spirit world determine a persons health and wealth (Lecture 8 notes).
On the other hand, the modern western biomedical system has a one dimensional view. It holds a naturalistic view that only the material world exists and that everything operates within the natural laws (Lecture 2 notes).
Causes of Illnesses
The Tibetan and Hmong systems hold that illnesses occur when there is a disturbance of the cosmos balance. To the Tibetan and Hmong, an illness is a punishment by the spirit world due to transgressions or violations against the spirit world or the social world (Lecture 7 notes). Mandel notes that among the Tibetan, illnesses are embraced and not pushed away (30910) as they represent an imbalance.
The modern biomedical system holds that an illness is caused by changes in the body as a result of an imbalance in natural body elements or functions. An illness is a manifestation of the imbalance (Lecture 7 notes).
Diagnostic Methods and Tools
Among the Tibetan and the Hmong, diagnosis of an illness is done through divination. Divination involves communication with the spirits and interpretation of their demands to correct the transgressions against the spirits and the society. The tools used in diagnosis in these systems include Tarot cards, palmistry, and casting of stones and may be accompanied by ceremonies (Lecture 7 notes).
The biomedical relies on scientific instruments and procedures for bodily examination to explain the symptoms and hence identify the illness. The biomedical system examines the symptoms and then uses scientific machinery and procedures to identify the imbalances within the body that are causing the illness. The methods and tools are usually less intrusive (Lecture 7 notes).
Healers and Helpers
In the Tibetan and Hmong systems, a shaman plays the role of the healer of the body, mind, and soul. The shaman acts as a mediator who is able to connect the spirit world and the human world. The spirits then communicate their desires to the shaman who then relays the information to the human world. The shaman goes into a trance whereby his spirit leaves the body and travels to the spirit world (Lecture 9 notes). The shamans are usually assisted by their apprentices.
In the biomedical system, the healers are persons who have been highly trained and some attaining a high degree of specialization. The healers use scientific based methods to deal with the illnesses. The helpers of the healers are also highly trained in dealing with the illnesses.
Preventive and Curative Measures
One of the causes of illnesses under the Tibetan and Hmong systems is by the individuals allowing themselves to be vulnerable to spirit intervention or by allowing one to be vulnerable to witchcraft. Measures such as protecting oneself from witchcraft can be used as preventive measure. Items such as talismans are used to ward off evil spirits and curses. Curative measures may include sacrificial offerings, herbal remedies, or a request (Lecture 9 notes). Mandel discussed in class that among the Tibetan, sound bowls are used for better health and well being (30910).
In biomedical systems, vaccinations and risk reduction measures are used as preventive measures. Curative measures involve the elimination of the elements causing the imbalances. The treatment measures are mostly chemical or lifestyle based.
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