Trials Over Tradition: An Investigation into the Roles of Culture, Power, and Institutions in Western Sports Medicine

Abstract

Randomized controlled trials and quantified evidence have become the cultural standard of acceptable treatments in the practice of Western biomedicine. Yet, non-Western medicine, while often lacking this “evidence,” is backed by thousands of years of experience. Why does Western medicine eschew the application of so many of these practices? This thesis argues that the marginalization of many non-Western medicinal practices within Western sports medicine is due to a complex interplay of factors such as their framing rather than solely their efficacy. As evidence, I present original data from interviews with athletic trainers and student-athletes of NCAA division 1 Princeton University athletic teams. Results from my interviews reveal that trainers successfully apply non-western treatments to aid in the healing and performance of their athletes, while facing obstacles from institutional barriers and participating in cultural translation. While testing a full range of practices is encouraged, this thesis suggests that a deeper understanding of the cultural, social, and institutional factors influencing the acceptance of alternative therapies is crucial for fostering a more integrative and equitable sports medicine system.