Backache in Greek Immigrants to Sweden

Scandinavian medical methods for treating musculoskeletal pain have often proved unsuccessful with immigrant patients. This study examined the perception and meanings of back pain among Greek immigrants to Sweden to identify possible causes of this poor outcome. Fifteen Greek immigrant patients on long-term sick-leave because of backache and 21 strategi cally selected members of a Greek cultural association in Stockholm, Sweden, not on sick-leave received semi-structured interviews about backache. In addition to a content analysis, a cultural approach was used in the interpretation of the mate rial. On the whole, pain was considered as something dangerous, inevitably leading to permanent disability if the suf ferer should deliberately aggravate the pain. Persistent pain was also linked to the tendency to worry and obsess in a way that would eventually make one ill. There was little confidence in doctors' examinations and physiotherapy. The study provides a possible explanation as to why Scandinavian medical treat ment of backache is less successful in this immigrant group

Alternative medicine · Back pain · Immigration · Interpretation (philosophy · Musculoskeletal pain · Pain Perception · Perception · Physical therapy · Psychiatry · Sick leave · Worry · Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies · Health, psychology, and well-being · History · Medicine · Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation · Psychology

• Cultural poetics of illness and healing

  Open Access•L J Kirmayer•Transcultural Psychiatric…•2023

  Añadir item

• The Hippocratic Oath

  Open Access•S G Marketos, Athanasios Diamandopoulos et al.•The Lancet•1996

  Añadir item

• On being ethnic

  Open Access•Margaret Lock•Culture Medicine and Psychiatry•1990

  Añadir item

• Cultural variations in the response to psychiatric disorders and emotional distress

  Open Access•L J Kirmayer•Social Science & Medicine•1989

  Añadir item

• Mediterranean Back and Other Stereotypes

  Open Access•Annette T Rubinstein, Annette Rubinstein•Australian Journal of Social Issues•1982

  Añadir item

• Cultural Components in Responses to Pain 1

  Open Access•Mark Zborowski•Journal of Social Issues•1952

  Añadir item

• Nevra in a Greek village

  Mari H Clark•Health Care For Women International•1989

  Añadir item

• Culture and Symptoms--An Analysis of Patient's Presenting Complaints

  Irving Kenneth Zola•American Sociological Review•1966

  Añadir item

• Greek women and broken nerves in montreal

  Pamela Dunk•Medical Anthropology•1989

  Añadir item