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Kenaitze Indian Tribe

Kahtnuht’ana Dena’ina

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Sticking to Health

July 13, 2016

Dena’ina Wellness Center uses special tape to ease pain, increase mobility

Alexandra "Sasha" Lindgren visits with Physical Therapist Paul Carlson as he affixes strips of Kinesio tape to her left leg at the Dena'ina Wellness Center. Lindgren said the tape has helped her move without pain.

Alexandra “Sasha” Lindgren visits with Physical Therapist Paul Carlson as he affixes strips of Kinesio tape to her left leg at the Dena’ina Wellness Center. Lindgren said the tape has helped her move without pain.

When Alexandra “Sasha” Lindgren went to the hospital because of lower-body pain so severe she couldn’t walk, she faced the possibility of needing a wheelchair.

A torn left meniscus and lymphedema growth under the same knee, plus anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) issues, had left her nearly immobilized.

Compounding those difficulties, Lindgren admits she is overweight.

“You can’t lose weight if you can’t exercise, and you can’t exercise if you can’t walk,” said Lindgren, a tribal Elder.

But today Lindgren is upright, mobile and – compared to that day in the hospital – feeling much better.

And she attributes the turnaround to something simple.

The tape is composed of cotton on one side and adhesive on the other.

The tape is composed of cotton on one side and adhesive on the other.

Kinesio tape.

Staff members at the Dena’ina Wellness Center use the tape to help un’ina – those who come to us –gain strength, increase mobility, reduce pain and swelling, and more. Lindgren was introduced to the tape in December after Paul Carlson, physical therapist at the center, applied it to the problem areas on her body.

It didn’t take long for Lindgren, a cancer survivor, to see results.

“It’s just been really good for me,” she said.

The tape is made of cotton and medical-grade adhesive. It is light, stretchable and waterproof, allowing those who use it to shower, bathe and swim. It is applied over and around areas of discomfort, providing support while protecting muscles and joints.

Carlson recommends getting re-taped about every three to five days. Taking breaks between tapings can be beneficial as well.

What makes the tape appealing to many people, Lindgren included, is that it’s comfortable. Unlike traditional athletic tape, which is rigid and designed to be tightly wrapped and restrict movement, Kinesio tape allows range of motion to the applied areas.

“It allows you normal movement with protection, which is different than being strapped in and immobilized,” Carlson said. “What we are trying to do is help people return to function and heal and be able to move around in their real life because that’s what they need.”

Kendra Ahlers talks about how Kinesio tape is helping her recover from burns to one side of her body. She said that the tape has helped relieve pain that has affected her for about two years.

Kendra Ahlers talks about how Kinesio tape is helping her recover from burns to one side of her body. She said that the tape has helped relieve pain that has affected her for about two years.

Some people’s skin may react poorly to the tape, Carlson added, in which case they should gently take it off. But for Lindgren, the benefits have been profound.

She estimated that, on any given day, she walks five to six times more than she did prior to using the tape. And now her shoes are two sizes too big because the swelling in her feet has substantially subsided.

Although she occasionally takes Tylenol for pain relief, Lindgren credits the tape for giving her an alternative to prescribed main medication.

“I would be sitting here getting fatter, older and hazier because I’d just be taking pain pills,” she said.

Carlson said some staff members in the primary care area are trained to use the tape as well, supporting the tribe’s integrated and holistic approach to care.

The tribe also recently hosted a two-day workshop for Dena’ina Wellness staff and members of the surrounding medical community on how to use the tape. Similar sessions will be planned so coaches, parents and community members can learn how to appropriately use the tape.

In the meantime, Carlson looks forward to utilizing it to help un’ina on their path to wellness.

“Get stronger, get healthier, lose weight – those are all thing we are trying to help people with,” Carlson said.

Filed Under: Stories

Kenaitze Indian Tribe

Locations

Kenaitze Administration • (907) 335-7200
Dena'ina Wellness Center • (907) 335-7500
Early Childhood Center • (907) 335-7260
Yaghanen Youth Programs • (907) 335-7290
Tyotkas Elder Services • (907) 335-7280
Na’ini Family and Social Services • (907) 335-7600
Kenaitze Tribal Court • (907) 335-7219

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Heidi King, NCAC II, CDCS

Recovery Support Manager/Counselor
Heidi has eight years of experience in the chemical dependency field. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a minor in Women’s Studies, from the University of Alaska. She is a nationally accredited Chemical Dependency Clinician, and a state accredited Chemical Dependency Clinical Supervisor.

Heidi has a background in providing residential chemical dependency counseling. She is certified as a Conflict Resolution and Relapse Prevention Trainer with the National Association of Addiction Counselors. She is also a certified Peer Supports Trainer and Supervisor through the Alaska Commission of Behavioral Health Certification.

When she’s not serving un’ina, Heidi teaches yoga as a certified and registered instructor. She also enjoys hiking, fishing, and spending time with her child, spouse, and numerous pets, camping all over Alaska.

Heidi provides chemical dependency counseling services in group settings and individual sessions.

Heidi can personally relate to chemical dependency and is passionate about helping those seeking recovery supports. For Heidi, healing is community, and community is an important part of connection with one’s self. She sees the positive ripple effect that healing can provide throughout the community.

Fridrik Rafn Gudmundsson, MSW, LCSW

Recovery Support Manager
Fridrik has earned his master’s degree in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He studied massage therapy in Iceland, and became fascinated with the mind-body connection. He completed his undergraduate degree in philosophy with a psychology minor.

Fridrik has had the opportunity to live in four countries and to travel to many others. He counts finding and marrying the love of his life and adopting his son among his greatest accomplishments. He is grateful to be able to live in this beautiful and sacred part of the world and to serve the Tribe and un’ina, “those who come to us.”

When he’s not serving un’ina, Fridrik loves spending time with his family, hiking, kayaking, camping, fishing, traveling, and having fun. He enjoys learning, listening to music, and taking time for spiritual practice.

Fridrik provides assessments and individual, family and group psychotherapy at Chuq’eya Qenq’a, Birch Tree House.

For Fridrik, coming to the Kenaitze Indian Tribe felt like coming home. The more he learned about the Tribe and its history, as well as the history of the Alaska Native people, the more he knew he had found a place to be of service.

Teresa A. Ford, MSW, LMSW

Behavioral Health Clinician
Teresa earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Limestone University in South Carolina, and her master’s degree in Social Work from Campbellsville University in Kentucky. Teresa’s experience includes serving homeless and other disadvantaged populations, as well as work in outpatient rehabilitation, hospice, chemical dependency, adult and adolescent counseling, and prevention.

Teresa appreciates the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s traditional values. She sees them as a driving force in how we treat ourselves and others, and how we serve those in need of help.

When not serving un’ina, “those who come to us,” Teresa spends her time bonding with her family, creating and traveling. She also enjoys learning about Alaska Native culture, exploring new hobbies, and gardening.

Teresa provides individual, family, and group therapy services. Teresa takes a variety of approaches to therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

Teresa has always been a helper at heart. Being able to overcome the things she experienced growing up in South Carolina empowered and inspired her to help others navigate through their life journeys.