Tacan Ahpiwicayapi (Healing the Body) -Acupuncture and massage for Native Americans includes:
This service has provided disaster related mental health crisis counseling through contracts with the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) for reservation areas included in federal disaster declarations.
This program has assisted with three disasters to date: flooding in Sisseton, flooding and weather damage in Ft. Thompson and Lower Brule, and a tornado disaster in Oglala.
NAAP remains prepared to offer future crisis counseling services should such situations occur. In addition, auricular acupuncture treatments are offered by NAAP certified staff and NAAP also sells herbal teas for stress/detoxification and sleep that has been effective and welcomed by disaster victims and others interested in overall health improvement. NAAP also offers supportive counseling and stress management services for communities and agencies.
Alternative Healing Services
Auricular Acupuncture treatments and chair, neck massages are also offered by NAAP certified staff for stress management.
Auricular Acupuncture
Auricular acupuncture was developed by the ancient Chinese and was also used by the Northern Plains tribes using porcupine quills. It consists of stimulating designated points on the skin by the insertion of needles a specific points related to internal body functions. NAAP utilizes the five-point protocol developed by the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) for intensive stress management, chemical dependency, pain management and overall wellness. Auricular acupuncture relaxes and reduces stress, decreases pain, increases energy and immunity, and normalizes sleep. Mentally and emotionally it helps you feel clear, alert, calm and focused. The staff of NAAP has been trained in the five point protocol of auricular acupuncture and offers this service free to all service recipients and to the public for a nominal fee.
Some potential benefits of auricular acupuncture are help with headaches, body aches, and sweats, sleep disturbances, tremors, anxiety, depression, mental clarity decreases anger and reduces cravings for alcohol and other drugs. It stimulates the body to heal itself.
Auricular Acupuncture Brochure Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is one of the most natural healing techniques you can use. The nurturing touch is simple and more powerful than can be imagined. Whether you are seeking relief for a medical condition, searching for a method to help you deal with the stress of everyday life, or you just want to stay healthy, more and more people are turning to therapeutic massage.
Massage therapy doesn't just feel good, it helps the body recover from injury, relax from tension and stress and promotes relaxation. Research shows that the heart rate is reduced, blood pressure is lowered, blood circulation and lymph flow is increased, muscles are relaxed, range of motion is improved, and endorphins, the body's natural painkillers are increased. Therapeutic massage may enhance medical treatment and help people feel less anxious and stressed, relaxed yet more alert.
Massage therapy provides soothing relaxation and relief from specific chronic problems. Certified massage therapists receive over 500 hours of training in various modalities of massage as well as anatomy and physiology.
There are whole ranges of benefits with massage therapy. Apart from the deep relaxation participant’s experience, massage also assists: Healthy Tissue: Massage increases the blood flow, carrying nutrients to painful oxygen-starved tissues and flushes out toxins and wastes. Healthy Muscle: Massage provides a passive stretch for muscles and allows for a greater range of mobility and increased strength. Scar Tissue: Massage aids in breaking up painful scar tissue from surgery or accidents. Fluid Circulation: Massage helps to drain lymphatic fluids that can collect around knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingers.
In addition, massage therapy is the perfect answer to many modern day ills such as tension headaches, TMJ, insomnia, elevated blood pressure, digestive problems, stress and other associated health problems, sports injuries, and more. Massage Therapy Brochure
Staff
Marla C. Bull Bear M.A. Executive Director
execdir@nativeamericanadvocacy.org
Shizue LaPointe-Dutt Office Manager
officemgr@nativeamericanadvocacy.org
Megan L. Garcia Prevention Specialist
Prevspec1@nativeamericanadvocacy.org