Recognizing the role of the physical body in palliative care

A goal ofhospice care is to help the terminally ill live most fully while dying. Health care professionals must appreciate the role ofthephysical body inpalliative care. This article identifies reasons we may hold mixed views about the body's worth and discusses relationships between the body and the human symbols of earth, air, fire, and water. These relationships suggest interventions which support the mind! body/spirit integrationwhich is beneficialfor dying persons.