Native American Healing: 8 Rituals Still Making an Impact

Healing is more than fixing the body—it’s finding harmony within and around us. Native American traditions, passed down for generations, blend spirituality, community, and nature into powerful wellness practices.

Here are eight time-honored techniques still used today, each offering a path to balance and renewal.

1. Healing Hands (Therapeutic Massage)

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Healing hands, often seen as a form of therapeutic massage, is an ancient Native American practice. It’s used to help relieve tension, reduce stress, and heal the body.

The healing touch can involve gentle pressure on specific areas to release blockages and promote better energy flow. 

You might experience this practice in spas, wellness centers, or even during ceremonies where healing is needed. Many people use it today to help with physical pain or emotional distress.

2. Prayer (Group or Individual)

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Prayer is a powerful part of Native American healing traditions. It’s used both in groups and individually to connect with a higher power, ask for guidance, and find inner peace.

When people pray, they seek healing not just for the body but for the spirit. This can be done quietly in personal moments or in group ceremonies. 

It’s a practice that allows you to center your mind and soul, asking for strength, health, and peace. Even today, many Native American communities continue to gather for prayers, especially in times of illness or need.

3. Energy Healing

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Energy healing is an ancient practice used in Native American traditions, where it’s believed that everything—people, animals, plants, and even the earth—is connected by a flow of energy.

When this energy becomes blocked or unbalanced, it can lead to physical or emotional problems. Native American healers use various techniques to restore the natural flow of energy in the body. 

Energy healing is also connected to practices like Reiki or Therapeutic Touch (TT), where the healer uses their hands (without touching) to channel healing energy into the person’s body. While the approach might vary, the goal is the same: helping you feel more balanced and in tune with your body and spirit. 

4. Smudging (Cleansing with Sacred Smoke)

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Smudging, or cleansing with sacred smoke, involves burning plants like sage, sweetgrass, or cedar and allowing the smoke to purify the person or space. The smoke is believed to clear away negative energy and invite positive, healing energy in.

Smudging is still a common ritual in Native American communities and spiritual practices. People use it to cleanse their homes, workplaces, or even themselves before important events or ceremonies. 

It’s also used in healing sessions to restore balance and remove any emotional or spiritual blockages. Many people today also practice smudging on their own as a way to relax, meditate, or cleanse their surroundings of negative energy.

5. Sweat Lodges (Purification Ceremonies)

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Sweat lodges are traditional purification ceremonies that involve sitting in a small, enclosed space, often built from wood and covered with blankets, where hot stones are placed in a central fire pit. Water is then poured over the stones to create steam, and the heat helps cleanse both the body and spirit. 

The ritual is seen as a way to release toxins, both physically and emotionally. Sweat lodge ceremonies are still conducted in many Native American communities, often as part of larger spiritual gatherings or personal healing journeys. 

A pilot study on the sweat lodge ceremony showed that it improved participants’ spiritual and emotional well-being. (ref) Many wellness centers also offer similar experiences inspired by this tradition.

6. Drumming Circles

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Song and dance have long been used as healing tools in Native American traditions, connecting with spiritual energy and promoting healing.

Drumming circles, where participants drum together in unison, are especially powerful. The rhythm of the drums is thought to help balance the body’s energy and create a sense of unity. 

A study shows that Native singing and drumming help boost positive emotions during sweat lodge ceremonies. (ref) You may find these events in Native American communities or even in wellness retreats.

7. Culturally Sensitive Counseling (Talking Circles)

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The talking circle is often credited to the Woodland tribes in the Midwest of North America, who used it as a way to hold discussions. (ref) In a talking circle, people sit in a circle and take turns speaking about their feelings, challenges, or experiences, and everyone is encouraged to listen without judgment. 

This practice is still used today in both personal therapy sessions and group counseling. It’s especially helpful in group settings, where people come together to support each other.

Many people today use talking circles as a way to build trust, resolve conflicts, or heal emotionally, especially in communities or therapy sessions focused on Native American traditions.

8. The Four Sacred Medicines (Tobacco, Cedar, Sage, Sweetgrass)

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The Four Sacred Medicines—tobacco, cedar, sage, and sweetgrass—are plants that have been used for centuries in Native American healing practices. (ref) Each one holds spiritual significance and is used in specific ways to heal the body, mind, and spirit. 

Tobacco, for example, is used in offerings and prayers, while cedar is burned for protection and purification. Sage is often used in smudging rituals to clear away negative energy, and sweetgrass is burned for its calming and soothing properties. 

Today, these sacred plants are still used in ceremonies and healing rituals. You might see them used in spiritual practices, healing circles, or personal wellness routines. Many herbalists and healers still incorporate them into their practices today.

These healing practices are still alive today because they offer a holistic approach to well-being, connecting the mind, body, and spirit. Whether you are seeking emotional support, physical healing, or spiritual guidance, these traditions can offer deep wisdom and peace.

Source:

  1. International Journal of Disability Development and Education
Martha A. Lavallie
Martha A. Lavallie
Author & Editor | + posts

Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.