Traditional Healing Practices in Curanderismo

Traditional healing practices such as Curanderismo, are rooted in an Indigenous worldview of healing in which it is understood that the mind and body do not operate outside of the spirit rather all are intertwined in their relation to well-being and health (e.g. Maduro, 1983). Indigenous epistemology suggests that one must be in harmony with nature, the sacred, and in good relation with others in order to stay well. Whereas illness falls on a person when there is a break from harmonious relationships and when the Curandera/o is needed (Arias, 2004). As the world continues to advance in technology and information and knowledge is shared across time and space, Indigenous healing practices are sought after by people everywhere; however, it is with caution that we proceed because Western practitioners are not advised to take on Indigenous practices rather work collaboratively with Indigenous practitioners in a holistic treatment approach. However, there are many cases in which mental and physical health professionals seek after experiences that enhance their own spiritual growth, and hence they have entered spaces in which Indigenous healers, medicine men, shamans, curandero/as, begin to share their knowledge about healing (Serpent and the Sun: Tales of an Aztec Apprentice, 2009).