𝐒𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 | 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝: 𝗜𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 “𝗣𝗮𝘀𝗺𝗮?”

Report by Mandie Asejo | Layout by Angel Chogyomon

“Don’t wash your hands after ironing, or you’ll get pasma!” Sound familiar? If you’re always ironing, you’ve likely heard this advice from your parents. Or perhaps you’ve been warned, “don’t bathe when tired” or “avoid cold water after exercise” to prevent pasma. But what exactly is pasma, and why do our elders treat it as if it’s the holy grail of health advice?

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝗺𝗮

Filipinos have a long-standing fascination with superstitions, a tradition that has endured since the time of our ancestors. Among these enduring beliefs is the concept of “pasma,” a condition supposedly unique to Filipino culture. The term “pasma” comes from the Spanish word “espasmo,” meaning spasm, and it is said to manifest through symptoms like sweaty palms, hand tremors, numbness, and pain in the hands.

𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁: 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱

However, the beliefs surrounding pasma are based purely on folklore and hearsay. Scientifically, there is no evidence to support the existence of pasma as a medical condition. It’s simply an idea passed down through generations, never questioned because it has been so deeply ingrained in our culture.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲?

From a medical perspective, the symptoms often attributed to pasma, such as hand tremors and muscle pain, are more likely the result of physiological conditions like muscle fatigue or electrolyte imbalance. When muscles are overworked or exposed to sudden changes in temperature, they can contract or spasm, leading to temporary discomfort. Cold water, for instance, can cause the blood vessels to constrict, which might aggravate muscle tension temporarily but is not a unique condition known as pasma.

So, the next time your hands tremble, it’s probably not a curse—just your body’s way of telling you to drink more water and maintain a balanced diet. Instead, these symptoms can be easily managed by resting, hydrating, and ensuring proper nutrition to maintain a balance of electrolytes in the body. Rather than worrying about pasma, focus on listening to your body’s real needs and taking care of your overall health.

We hold beliefs, be they superstitions or ingrained practices, often unquestioned due to our upbringing. While some beliefs benefit us, not all are worth accepting unconditionally; yet, we often swallow them despite their imposition.