Lian Gong in 18 therapies as a health promotion strategy

• Published in: Revista brasileira em promoção da saúde = Brazilian journal in health promotion Vol. 30; no. 4
• Main Authors: Randow, Raquel, Nayara Carolina Mendes, Luzia Toyoko Hanashiro Silva, Mery Natali Silva Abreu, Kátia Ferreira Costa Campos, de Almeida Guerra, Vanessa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Fortaleza Universidade de Fortaleza - Centro de Ciências da Saúde 01-10-2017
• Subjects: Health care; Health promotion; Health services; Pain; Primary care; Social factors; Statistical tests; Strategy
• ISSN: 1806-1222; 1806-1230
• DOI: 10.5020/18061230.2017.6365

Objective: To identify the main benefits obtained by practitioners of Lian Gong in 18 therapies, which is included in Primary Care as a Health Promotion strategy. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study carried out in the municipality of Belo Horizonte through the administration of 1,091 questionnaires to Lian Gong practitioners in 2014. Socioeconomic variables relating to pain, use of medication and need for health services were assessed. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and marginal homogeneity tests and Pearson’s Chi-squared test with significance level set at 5%. Results: Practitioners were predominantly women (89.55%; n=977), over 60 years old (61.90%; n=678), referred to Lian Gong by health professionals (66.50%; n=935); most participants practice twice a week (68.31%; n=735) and have been practicing for more than 7 months (75.87%; n=762). The main benefits provided by the practice were pain reduction, reduced use of medication (49.58%; n=297) and reduced demand for Primary Health Care services (78.49%; n=715). Conclusion: The practice of Lian Gong as a health promotion strategy included in Primary Health Care provides benefits to practitioners, such as body pain reduction, demedicalization and reduced demands for health services.