Women Who Glows in the Dark

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1. Describe at least two fundamental differences between the practice of Curanderismo and conventional western biomedicine (the predominant medical model in the United States). Include a reference from the book that supports your position. While reading “Woman Who Glows In The Dark” I have learned the meaning and belief of curanderismo, as well as the meaning of conventional western biomedicine. Curanderismo “is an earthy, natural, grounded health-care system that seeks to keep all of the elements of our being in balance”. Curanderismo comes from the Spanish word cura, which means “to heal” or “to be a priest” According to the narrator of the book she stresses, “one of the most important aspects of curanderismo is that it does not separate the soul and spirit from the body” (Avila, pg. 16). She explains that it is medicine and spirituality practiced simultaneously. In contrast to curanderismo, which is the belief of always incorporating things that are useful and available into its treatments, conventional western biomedicine is more focused on going through a procedural manual and focusing on the development of drugs, advanced medical technologies and believing that science can heal us. When comparing the two different medical practices it is evident that Curanderismo is more focused on using herbs, counseling, soul retrieval, psychodrama, rituals, and spiritual cleansings as a way of healing, its much more of a therapeutic medical practice, whereas conventional western biomedicine is more concentrated and highly based on previous knowledge and scientific research. Avila, Elena, and Joy Parker. Woman Who Glows in the Dark: A Curandera Reveals Traditional Aztec Secrets of Physical and Spiritual Health. New York: J.P. Tarcher/Putnam, 1999. Print. DP #2 Elena speaks of an integrative healing system where conventional (Western, biomedical) practitioners

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