The Medicine Wheel and Lymphedema's Impact on the Spirit
- Many Natives feel that they are spiritually out of balance because of the lymphedema
- Prayer helps many Natives heal and cope with the discomfort of the lymphedema
- Ceremonies need to be modified to avoid risk of infection
- Tell your traditional healer about the lymphedema and the limitations you must follow:
- No piercing or "rendering" of flesh from the swollen arm or leg
- No bindings of any type to the arms or legs
- No carrying of items heavier than 3 pounds (like a staff with beadwork and art objects)
- No kneeling on the ground if the legs are swollen
- No digging the holes in ground, or lifting poles for the lodge
- No vigorous dancing (like stomp dance ceremony all night long)
- No fasting (you need both food and water to help the lymphedema heal)
- No long walks to isolated places for meditation or vision quests
- No peyote or other Native American Church religious beverages while lymphedema symptoms are present
- No ointments or poultices packed onto the swollen arm or leg
- Allow other members of your family or your friends to do the ceremony in your honor
- You can pray with them but must keep the swollen arm or leg clean and free from cuts, lotions and avoid heavy lifting
- You can meditate at home or at the healer's home. But stay close to a phone and transportation if you need to get quick help while praying or doing ceremony
top of page