Davina Merowit

April 4,2018
COMM 3115-001
Professor Hanson

My Health Interest
A common cause of low back pain can include nerve and muscular problem. Recently,

over the past few months, I have been having severe lower back pain. but finally gone to the

doctor, I found out that I have a pinched nerve. The Voice of Lifeworld stood out to me when

picking my condition because the purpose of The Voice of Lifeworld is being “concerned with

health and illness as they relate to everyday experiences” (p.81). Since my job consist of being

at a desk for hours and having to sit for long periods, this has caused me having to call out of

work.

This concept helped me understand my health beliefs, because whenever feeling pain it

prevents me from going to work or other daily activities. The Voice of Lifeworld is also

concerned with feelings and context, therefore I put my feelings first when it comes to my

health. Reason being, I know what my body can and can not handle. My back pain can

unbearable to where I can not sit down without having to sit up straight the entire time and

that can be uncomfortable. When seeing my physician, I explain my emotions that the pain is

causing. For example, “The pain keeps me up at night and I can not sit straight at work and it is

frustrating not getting any sleep because the pain is preventing me from my daily activities.” I

also explained the different approaches that I have tried. For example; sleeping straight on the

floor, taking Ibuprofen, and going to a chiropractor.

The Holistic approach that I chose was; Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) focuses on “achieving health and wellbeing through
the cultivation of harmony.” Acupuncture is different and something that did not exactly align

with my health beliefs because for one, even though I do not mind needles, I just do not like the

feeling of having needles stuck in my skin for a period of time. However, if I had the time then I

would attempt to try this approach. I have heard from friends who have tried acupuncture that

one can barely feel the needles and it will feel as a form of relaxation and take away any pain or

stress. The Voice of Lifeworld explains further, on page 82 in the textbook, on how “patients

trust feelings, rather caregivers trust evidence” and as said before, I will trust my feelings. Yet, I

also have a side of me that will trust an evidence based approach.

Another concept that stood out was Health as Organic. This approach emphasizes on

scientific knowledge and for me to try treatments, I sometimes like to go off of statistics and off

of studies that have been proven. Acupuncture does not align with the organic model because

it is all about evidence-based medicine that believe in scientific studies. For my beliefs I do not

typically believe that acupuncture is an accurate or even safe way of treatment. Reading how

acupuncture works within the body and how it can be an unusual along with the side effects

that patients may experience scares me and prevents me from wanting to try it. I do not like

having an unusual feeling; such a tingly feeling or chills running through my body. The way

acupuncture visits work is by sessions and sometimes it can cost from $75-95 which is not bad

for a session. It just depends on the person as to if it would be worth it. To me, finding the time

and persuading myself in order to try this method would be the only way to get me to try it. I

think it would be a different approach to try and if I feel that the method has reduced my pain

in some way after the first session, then I would typically go back and continue the process.