597: Leaves, needles and pills: syncretism and multicultural influence on pain management in Peru

Topic: Education, Societal Impact, and Others
Subtopic: History

Background and Aims: Peru’s medical landscape represents a syncretism of three eras: pre-Columbian, the introduction of Western medicine in the 16th century and Asian techniques like acupuncture via 19th century immigration (Barrie Fairley, 2007; Foster, 1988; Kelly, 1990; Rivera-Vargas, 2019; Palma, 2023). Despite Western medicine prevailing in hospital settings this historical convergence of cultures has created an environment of medical pluralism, which integrates herbal remedies and rituals, that persists to this day (Bohensky, 2011; Bussmann, 2013; Herrera, 2022).

We aim to map how pain management has evolved in this context and evaluate the impact on care and patient adherence.

Methods: We conducted an integrative review synthesizing historical chronicles, archeological and sociological studies, and contemporary clinical literature. Sources were gathered from international databases (PubMed, JSTOR, SciELO, LILACS) and repositories from local universities (UNMSM, PUCP, UPCH) using a bilingual search. Sources were then stratified by era and analyzed using a thematic framework. This analysis allows us to interpret the influence of the deeply-rooted pain conceptions on the current standards of care and patient adherence to treatment in a multicultural setting.

Results: The literature analysis reveals a robust pharmacopeia of Pre-Columbian herbal treatments in available chronicles, that is still in use today (Bussmann, 2013; Barrie-Farney, 2007; Bollaert, 1852). While specific studies on syncretism are scarcer (Greene, 1998), disseminated evidence reveals aspects of traditional medicine used in formal healthcare settings (Herrera, 2022).
Furthermore, Asian techniques like acupuncture have been integrated into the treatment of chronic pain (Rivera-Vargas, 2019), and biopharmacological studies have proven the effects on opioid receptors of traditional plans like Mansoa alliacea (Valle-Dorado, 2022). However, unguided practices remain the norm, with self-medication impacting patient safety and adherence (Oblitas, 2013; Viru-Loza, 2018)

Conclusions: Historical and current documents confirms that in large areas of the country, a convergence of traditional and western medicine remains the norm. This phenomenon is the result of deeply-rooted cultural traditions and influenced by systemic gaps in healthcare. While some drawbacks such as self-medication and adverse reactions exist, evidence supports the use of complementary and traditional medicine to improve pain management outcomes. Further large scale studies evaluating current impact should be conducted to promote evidence-based integration.

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Presenting Author: Alessandra Torres Yabar
Submitting Author: Alessandra Torres

Senior Author: Alessandra Torres Yabar

IASP 2026 Global Year theme of Neuropathic Pain: No