Curanderismo:

Traditional Mexican Folk Healing

Adam attended an intensive this summer at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. This university-sponsored course focused on Curanderismo, which is the practice of traditional Mexican folk healing techniques. This two-week long course included lectures, demonstrations, didactic work, hands on practice, and healing rituals. In addition to the university course, there were daily opportunities to take intensive workshops and participate in healing rituals with traditional healers from Mexico and the United States.

The following techniques come from an indigenous healing tradition of Mexico and the Borderlands. Adam recognizes, respects, and honors the long tradition of curanderismo and its indigenous roots, and he asked for and was granted permission to practice these techniques. He practices these techniques knowing he is walking the line between cultural appropriation and appreciation. Adam is honored to begin these learnings from teachers such as Tonita Gonzales, Tom Chavez, Rita Navarrete, Laurencio Nunez, Margarita Camarena, Cheo Torres, Alex Jackson, and many more.

We will begin offering these techniques learned from these classes:

Ventosas (Mexican Fire Cupping)

While this technique may be similar to Chinese fire cupping, a ventosa treatment is very different because it is much gentler. Instead of staying attached on the skin, the cups are removed shortly after they are applied. This technique of applying and removing the cups is used to warm the body and activate blood vessels. Once the body is warmed up, oil is applied and the cups are reattached and used to massage muscles. This technique can also be used on areas of the body that are not typical in Chinese cupping, such as the abdomen, arms, and legs. Ventosas can be used for muscle tension, stiff joints, reduced range of motion, digestive issues, and sprains.

Manteadas (Shawl Alignment)

A manteada uses strips of linen to gently massage the soft tissue and loosen and lubricate the joints. This technique is a full body treatment that is used on the arms, legs, neck, torso, and back. A manteada can be used for muscle tension, stiff joints, reduced range of motion, repositioning a breech baby, trauma, and post traumatic stress syndrome.

Limpias (Energetic Cleansing)

A limpia treatment is an energetic cleansing that is similar to a Reiki or Qigong treatment, the focus instead on breaking up and cleaning your overall energy. Two types of limpias will be offered. A limpia is good for someone who suffers from severe stress, anxiety, depression, pain, feeling disconnected from their body, or whose condition is not improving using other techniques.

Uptown Acupuncture is offering free 15-minute consultations to determine if one of these techniques may be right for you. Due to the one-on-one nature and the intensity of these techniques, the actual treatment will be scheduled for a later day and time. These techniques do not qualify to be billed to insurance, but we are offering a sliding scale and low-cost option for these services. Email us today to book a consultation and discover is one of these techniques is right for you.