It’s a Panacea
We’ve all heard the word panacea thousands of times — “that’s a panacea for this or that,” meaning all-healing, the total solution. Perhaps an ointment, treatment, or even a good thought. Often used in the negative, something may be said to not be a panacea. And we’ve been told to keep good hygiene to stay healthy (and presentable!). But where do these words come from? The Greeks! I was looking for background on a research project I’m working on relating to gait and pulled ACSM’s Advanced Exercise Physiology off the shelf at the Dana Medical Library at UVM. The first chapter was entitled Historical Perspective: Origin to Recognition. As interesting as any novel I’ve recently read, this chapter presents where concepts and words we use freely today come from, especially as it pertains to health and science. Over time, what constitutes health, how it is maintained and reasons for illness and poor health, has been posited in different contexts. Healers in ancient India and China promoted exercise and health to prevent sickness, not to improve performance, though warriors were provided with good nutrition, quarters, and encouraged to get adequate sleep. However, what we consider modern medicine and exercise science has … Continue reading