Research in Shamanism

If you are a little freaked out by all the shamanism posts, you are not alone.  My husband has been asking me a lot of questions about my unusual/excessive interest in this traditional system of healing.  Is this a phase because of the class you are taking or are you really interested in pursuing a research program based on shamanism?  You want to be that lady?  You are not even out of the gate and already kicking up controversy?  He also says silly things to me like, "Don't squeeze the Shaman!"

1.  I am saddened that prior to taking this course (CHS M264 Latin American Medicine, Shamanism & Folk Illness - a graduate level and multi-disciplinary, not an "extension," course), I knew very little about Latin American Medicine.  This, despite the fact that my parents (and ancestors) were from Latin America!

2.  The readings -- with all their imagery, myths, symbolism, stories, and connections -- have fascinated me.  The information sticks to my brain, body and soul.  It is a healing tradition practiced the world over - Australia, Alaska, Siberia (originally), Asia, Korea, Africa, Medieval Europe, Latin America, and North America for thousands of years, with remarkable similarities despite great geographical distances.  It is practiced mostly by indigenous peoples who have experienced decimation of their population.  Those who survived suffered psychic murder.  The term, shaman, is viewed with ridicule, distrust, cynicism.  I guess I am a champion of the oppressed and those treated unfairly.  But really, despite the odds, the shamanistic complex has survived because it works. 

3.  I can't help but think that 30 years ago no one would have imagined a yoga studio on every corner in gentrified parts of town.  So if yoga - part of an ancient system of spiritual healing - can become mainstream, why can't shamanism or "shaman-like techniques"?

4.  My research and practice interests focus primarily on low-income ethnic minority urban youth and families.  I found a cool article that implemented a yoga intervention in schools with positive results.  Would a traditional system of healing that reflected the cultures of black and brown youth have an impact on multiple levels?  Some might point out that youth have about as much of a connection to African and Latin American ancestors as the average (white) American.  So among urban youth, there might be less cultural dissonance with yoga (it's mainstream American now) then there might be with shamanizing.  So sad!  No cultural resonance with your ancestors?  Is this tantamount to cultural soul loss? What if our youth knew that there are thousands upon thousands of ancestors who have got their back!!!!

5.  A couple of researchers (married couple) got together to conduct the first study examining the connection between mind and body.  Now there is a legitimate field called psychoneuroimmunology (mind-body) that brings together (hard-core) endocrinologists and immunologists in the same room with psychologists to look at assessments, interventions and outcomes of mutual interest.  Why not focus on Spirit in that Mind-Body puzzle?

Research Study
Okay, enough about my questions, connections and interests.  Kaiser sponsored a study, in Oregon, to examine the physical and psychological effects of shamanic treatment among women with temporomandibular joint disorders and several co-morbid physical/psychological disorders.  All of the subjects were white and so were the trained shamanic practitioners.  The shamanic treatments used in the study include:  soul retrieval, extraction (of negative intrusions), depossession, power animal retrieval, psychopomp, guided meditation, ritual or ceremony, soul remembering, body part retrieval, energy work/energy retrieval, curse unravel/cord cutting, spirit helper retrieved.  This small (n=20) pilot study showed statistically significant improvements in both physical and psychological symptoms.  It was the first clinical trial of shamanic healing, showed positive results and provided evidence for the feasibility, acceptability and safety of this type of treatment.

FEASIBILITY AND SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES OF A SHAMANIC TREATMENT FOR TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDERS
Nancy H. Vuckovic, PhD; Christina M. Gullion, PhD; Louise A. Williams, PhD; Michelle Ramirez, PhD; Jennifer Schneider, MPH
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, NOV/DEC 2007, VOL. 13, NO. 6