Introduction
As a nurse, one must know how culture influences patients’ values, beliefs, and worldviews. This is called cultural sensitivity. Using this approach, nurses will be more prepared to deal with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. Cultural competency is the set of abilities and information needed to have successful cross-cultural interactions after adopting this mindset and respecting the other culture. Nurses can provide better pain treatment and competency-based care by learning about cultural practices. According to Hastie and Riley (2005), Caucasians are twice as likely as African Americans and almost one and a half times as likely as Hispanics to utilize “self-care” for pain-alleviation. Caucasians made up the majority of those with health insurance, making this more plausible since they are more inclined to seek medical treatment for their suffering (Hastie & Riley, 2005).
There is also the possibility that persons with more significant salaries are more afraid of pain and loss (Hastie & Riley, 2005). Because of the fear of losing what one has, this is the reason. Cultures with a higher stake in the outcome are more fearful. Those who have more to lose, such as families, income, and lifestyles, are afraid of death and suffering. As a result, Asian culture may be compared to Hispanic, Caucasian, and African cultures because they emphasize stoicism than expressiveness (Hastie & Riley, 2005). This paper aims to explore the effects of the Chinese culture on pain perception, responses, and management.
Pain Perception, Management, and the Chinese Culture
Because of their religious and philosophical beliefs, Chinese patients have a unique perspective on pain and its treatment. For a thorough evaluation of a patient’s pain complaint, it is crucial to look at the patient’s perceptions of pain’s significance in their life and the causative explanations the patient provides for it. Before implementing a pain management program and an education program, it is necessary to address with the patient their philosophical approach to whether pain should be treated (Linton, 2015). Nurses must avoid generalization to grasp their patient’s perspectives on their discomfort (Linton, 2015). Acupuncture, Thai Chi, and Chinese herbal medicine are just a few of the pain-management techniques used by the Chinese people.
Thai chi
Thai chi blends slow motions with focused breathing and mental concentration as an ancient martial technique to produce powerful results (Tung & Li, 2015). A low-impact stretching routine keeps your muscles and joints moving steadily from one posture to another. As a result, it is safe for most individuals, regardless of age or degree of fitness, since it has a mild effect on muscles and joints. Additionally, Tai chi is popular since it requires no specific equipment and may be done in various settings – inside or out, alone or in a group (Tung & Li, 2015). Tai chi may be practiced in a variety of ways. Some focus on health and wellness, while others on martial arts.
Acupuncture
When you get acupuncture, needles are inserted into particular spots on your body. For centuries, acupuncture has been an essential part of traditional Chinese medicine (Tung & Li, 2015). Asthma, menstrual difficulties, gynecological issues, digestive issues, and even anxiety and depression are all treated with this medication. As a prophylactic measure, acupuncture is also effective. More and more people are turning to it to improve their entire health, including their ability to cope with stress. According to traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is a method of restoring harmony to the body’s energy or life force, referred to as chi or qi (chee) (Tung & Li, 2015). When needles are inserted into specific locations along these meridians, acupuncturists think your energy flow will be restored. On the other hand, many Western practitioners see acupuncture needles as areas where nerves, muscles, and connective tissues may be stimulated. Some people think that stimulating your nervous system increases your body’s painkilling abilities.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
One of traditional Chinese medicine’s essential aspects is herbs (TCM). It is not just based on the patient’s present symptoms that herbs are recommended holistically (Tung & Li, 2015). Herbal remedies restore the body’s natural equilibrium and control the body’s biological processes. Herbs may be used orally or externally in tinctures, powders, tablets, or balms. Since ancient times, Chinese herbal therapy has treated and prevented many health issues, including many common colds and flues (Tung & Li, 2015). They can also be safely used with a wide range of conventional treatments. Patients are interviewed, physical traits are examined, and ancient tongue and pulse diagnosis techniques are used to arrive at a diagnosis.
Conclusion
It is essential to understand the influence of culture on the pain felt by patients. Nurses can provide better treatment if they know the nature of the pain. “Know thy enemy, know yourself” (Sun Tzu); nurses can better combat this adversary and save their patients from suffering if they thoroughly understand the pain and how different cultures perceive it. Stoicism, philosophy, and the history of opioids affect Chinese perceptions of pain. It is essential to be culturally competent since their culture significantly influences evaluation and pain treatment. Nurses must better grasp how Chinese patients think and behave to provide the best possible care to patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. They tend to keep the discomfort under wraps and avoid expressing their anxiety. Because of their culture, people are more likely to seek therapy that they deem acceptable and favorable. Acupuncture, tai chi, and certain herbal medications are examples of traditional treatments that may be appropriate for this population.
References
Hastie, B. A., Riley, J. L., & Fillingim, R. B. (2005). Ethnic differences and responses to pain in healthy young adults. Pain Medicine, 6(1), 61-71.
Linton, A. D. (2015). Introduction to medical-surgical nursing. Elsevier Health Sciences. https://books.google.co.ke/books?
Tung, W. C., & Li, Z. (2015). Pain beliefs and behaviors among Chinese. Home Health Care Management & Practice, 27(2), 95-97. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1084822314547962
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