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HEALTH
The word health is derived from
the Old English term hal, meaning
sound, or whole.

A state of complete physical, mental

and social well-being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity"
(WHO, 1948)

MEDICAL DEFINITIONS

"A state characterized by anatomic,

physiologic and psychological integrity;
ability to perform personally valued family,
work and community roles; ability to deal
with physical, biologic, psychological and
social stress..."
(Stokes J. J Community Health
1982;8:33-41)

FITNESS VS HEALTH
To produce health benefits, the
intensity, duration, and frequency of
activity is less than that required to
produce improved fitness.
Improved fitness is measured by how
much exercise you can do.
Improved health is measured by
improved physiologic function of body
systems.

MEASURES OF POPULATION
HEALTH

Aggregate health status of

individuals (e.g., mortality, morbidity,
life expectancy, disease rates; health
behaviours)

Environmental indicators (e.g.,

pollution, social inequalities, political
stability)
Community infrastructure and
functioning (e.g., availability &
accessibility of health services)

MAJOR HEALTH PROBLEMS

o
o
o
o
o

Heart disease and stroke

Mental health and illnesses
Cancer
Injury
Respiratory diseases - asthma,
COPD
o Diabetes, liver disease
o Infectious diseases
o Perinatal conditions

OPTIMUM HEALTH
Balance of Physical, Mental and Social
health
POOR HEALTH
It may include physical ailments
causing acute or chronic disabilities
as well as mental health issues that
limit independent functioning.

DETERMINANTS OF
HEALTH
Healthy or
unhealthy
behaviors impact
an individuals
health more than
anything else.
Physical Activity
Nutrition
Tobacco/Alcohol/ Drugs
Stress Management

WELLNESS
"A process and not a measurable
concrete or static state of being:
Wellness . . . is a continuous
moving toward a greater
awareness of yourself and the
way in which your environment,
interpersonal relationships,
nutrition, fitness, stress, and
other factors influence you"
(Hafen et al., 1988, p. 2).

Dimensions of Wellness
Physical
Spiritual
Social
Psychological
Emotional
Intellectual
Occupational

INTELLECTUAL HEALTH
Encouragement of creative mental activity
Expansion of knowledge of self and world
Avoidance of idle thoughts and boredom

SOCIAL HEALTH
Encourages contribution to the welfare of the community
Meaningful relationships with others
Family life rich and fulfilling
Positive personal relationships

EMOTIONAL HEALTH

emphasis on awareness/acceptance of feelings

positive thinking about one's self and others
realistic assessment of abilities and limitations
maintenance of satisfying relationships with others

PHYSICAL HEALTH
complete fitness program including CV fitness, strength,
flexibility, & stamina
positive nutritional habits
positive health habits with drugs and alcohol
Safety and risk reduction behavior

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
work which is satisfying and meaningful
work which leads toward self actualization

(This dimension is also called

vocational health)

SPIRITUAL HEALTH
a sense of purpose and meaning to life
learning how to experience love, joy, and fulfillment
ones ethics, values, and code of living

* These things may or may not be

part of formal religion

PREDICTIONS OF HEALTH
CARE
The Doctor of the future will give
no medicine but will interest his
patient in the care of the human
frame, in diet, and in the cause
and prevention of disease.

HOLISTIC MEDICINE
Canadian Holistic Medical Association
emphasizes
The need to look at the whole person,
including analysis of physical,
nutritional, environmental, emotional,
social, spiritual and lifestyle values.
It encompasses all stated modalities of
diagnosis and treatment including
drugs and surgery, if no safe alternative
exists.
Holistic medicine focuses on education
and responsibility for personal efforts
to achieve balance and well being.

AMERICAN HOLISTIC
HEALTH ASSOCIATION
This expended perspective of
holistic health care considers

THE WHOLE PERSON AND THE

WHOLE SITUATION.

CONVENTIONAL
MEDICINE

Allopathic medicine; Western

medicine, orthodox medicine, and
regular medicine; and
biomedicine.
A system in which medical
doctors and other healthcare
professionals (such as nurses,
pharmacists, and therapists)
treat symptoms and diseases
using drugs, radiation, or
surgery.

CONVENTIONAL
MEDICINE

People who use conventional medicine

usually do not seek treatment until they
become ill; there is little emphasis on
preventive treatment.
The main causes of illness are
considered to be pathogens-bacteria or
viruses-or biochemical imbalances.
Scientific tests are often used in
diagnosis. Drugs, surgery, and
radiations are among the key tools for
dealing with the problems.

CONVENTIONAL
MEDICINE

Conventional treatments are

treatments of diseases, not of
people.
The side effects of these drugs are
a direct extension of their actions
and may be fatal.
A Harvard research team
concluded that 180,000 Americans
are killed in hospitals by their
doctors every year. Most of these
deaths occur because doctors
prescribe drugs without paying
attention to the special
characteristics of the person for
whom the drugs are prescribed.

CONVETIONAL VS HOLISTIC APPROACH

HOLISTIC

CONVENTIONAL

PHILOSOPHY

Based on Allopathic,
Osteopathic,Naturopathi
c medicine.

Based on allopathic
medicine.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

To promote optimal
health, to prevent or
treat disease.

To cure or reduce
pathology.

DIAGNOSIS

Medical history,
Medical history, physical
physical exam, Lab
exam, Lab data.
data, holistic health care
sheet.

PRIMARY CARE
METHOD

Empowers patient to
Eliminates sign and
heal themselves through symptoms.
health promotion &
lifestyle changes.

PRIMARY CARE

Diet,Exercise,

Medications and

HOLISTIC

CONVENTIONAL

SECONDARY CARE
TREATMENT
OPTIONS

Botanical medicine,
homeopathy,
acupuncture, manual
medicine, physical
therapy, medications &
surgery.

Diet, exercise, physical

therapy and stress
management.

WEAKNESSES

Shortage of holistic
physicians and training
programmes; timeintensive not a quick
fix.

Ineffective in preventing
and curing chronic
disease; expensive.

STRENGTHS

Teaches patient to take

responsibility for their
own health,so its cost
effective in treating
both acute and chronic
illnesess.therapeutic
in preventing& treating
chronic diseases &
essential in creating
optimal health,

Highly therapeutic in
treating both acute and
life threatening illness and
injuries.

Prevention Practice
Health care standard have shifted from
one emphasizing illness to.. one
stressing health, function, quality of life
and well being.
This shift in health care has resulted in
a surge in prevention practice designed
to reduce disease through helping
people modify their lifestyle behaviors
to optimize health.

THREE TYPES OF
PREVENTION PRACTICE
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Tertiary Prevention

PREVENTING CARE
PERFORMED BY PHYSICAL
THERAPISTS

Screening Activities

Identification of children with

possible developmental delay.
Scoliosis in school going
adolescents.
Detection of ergonomic risk
factors in work place.

Cont..
Prevention activities
Pre-partum and post-partum
exercises classes to improve
womans health.
Exercise classes for elders to
enhance Balance and flexibility.
Cardiovascular conditioning
activities for individuals who are
at risk for obesity.

Role of Physical Therapist

PT are expert in Evaluation, examination, motor
capabilities, goals, and functional limitations of
individuals with musculoskeletal, neurological,
cardiopulmonary, integumentary and other
systems.
PT Optimize health and manage illness through
customized exercises that enhance motor control, fitness
and address potential medical complication.
PT determines an individuals functional capabilities by
examining the requisite motor skills and behavior needed
to perform tasks relevant to that individuals role in
society. Athlete vs. older patient.
Personal sense of meaningful living.
Optimal quality of life.

Role of Physical Therapist

Traditionally: In the management of
Physical impairments and functional
limitation ,associated with an
individuals medical problem.
Currently: In prevention, identifying risk
factors, developing health promotion
strategies that affect health, fitness and
wellness.
PT apply their extensive knowledge for
improving or adapting & motor tasks for
more independent movements function.

BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

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Key role

Providing education, guidance, consultation,

direct intervention to maintain physical
activity for self care, mobility, leisure skills,
work and play.
PT restore, maintain and promote not only
optimal physical function, but optimal wellness
and fitness and optimal quality of life as it
relates to movement and health.