Tau mai te wairua, tau mai te hauora: Navigating hauora in osteopathy
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Authors
Thomas, Juli Dewi
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Master of Osteopathy
Grantor
Unitec, Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
Date
2023
Supervisors
Heta-Lensen, Yo
Palfreyman, Sue
Toki, Lynda
Palfreyman, Sue
Toki, Lynda
Type
Masters Thesis
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
Aotearoa
New Zealand
osteopathic medicine
Māori knowledge systems
osteopaths
holistic
spirituality
clinical practice
Māori values and protocols
New Zealand
osteopathic medicine
Māori knowledge systems
osteopaths
holistic
spirituality
clinical practice
Māori values and protocols
Citation
Thomas, J. D. (2023). Tau mai te wairua, tau mai te hauora: Navigating hauora in osteopathy (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Osteopathy). Unitec, Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology https://hdl.handle.net/10652/6098
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION
How can Māori approaches to working with the body support my work as a Māori osteopath in clinical practice and inform osteopathy in Aotearoa?
ABSTRACT
This thesis aims to highlight the positive impact of incorporating holistic approaches to hauora Māori (Māori health and wellbeing) informed by tikanga Māori (customs, protocols, values, practices, and beliefs) into the clinical practice of osteopathy, contributing to improved health outcomes for Māori. Through exploring the alignment between Māori perspectives on hauora and osteopathic models, gathering insights from three kaimahi hauora Māori (Māori health practitioners), and proposing a practice model for tikanga incorporation, this research aims to examine the potential impact of Māori approaches to hauora and osteopathic practice in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
The study used a qualitative interpretive description approach, drawing on Kaupapa Māori research methodologies. Data was gathered through individual semi-structured interviews over Zoom with three kaimahi hauora Māori. The interview process was guided by the kaitiaki rangahau (cultural research supervisor) drawing on a pōwhiri framework, ensuring appropriate tikanga and whanaungatanga were applied. Data was analysed using thematic analysis, supported with a thematic framework approach underpinned by Kaupapa Māori principles.
Three key themes emerged from the interpretation of the findings presented in a narrative style. Theme one highlighted the intrinsic link between Māori onto-epistemological perspectives, tikanga Māori and Māori perceptions of hauora. Theme two identified the importance of caring for personal wellbeing as kaimahi hauora. Theme three, illuminated the potential benefits of integrating and reclaiming tikanga for Māori osteopathic practitioners and tangata whaiora Māori (Māori patients) in osteopathic clinical practice.
This research found that Māori approaches can reinforce osteopathic practitioners' holistic perspectives, contribute to the ethical practice of patient-centred care, and improve cultural care for Māori. Limitations of this study include a small sample size, potential researcher bias, and challenges in conducting culturally responsive research. Future research recommendations include developing a pōwhiri osteopathic framework, supporting emerging Māori researchers through mentorship programs and cultural competency training, and investigating a more inclusive incorporation of spiritual components in osteopathic clinical practice.
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