Making Decisions About Parkinsons

decision making

All of us confront the challenge of making decisions moment by moment. How do you go about making decisions about Parkinsons treatments and therapies?

Do you make an appointment with the neurologist this week? Do you visit Parkinsons Recovery to get information? Do you take a vacation from our symptoms and have a piece of chocolate cake?

There is no way around it. Life is all about decision making moment to moment.

How do you go about making decisions about Parkinsons?  How do you go about deciding which therapies or treatments to pursue? There are so many choices. So little time. Money is also a challenge for most.

Here is an awesome suggestion which was offered by Hans who is from Holland. Hans told us he uses the following strategy to make big decisions. The example he shared with us involved making a decision about whether he needed to start taking prescription medications for Parkinson’s.

Here is Hans suggestion for how to go about making decisions about Parkinsons.

Day One:

Take the position

“Yes, I need to take medications now.”

Everyone you talk with this day including yourself,  offer all the reasons and arguments why it will be a great idea for you to start taking medications. No criticism is allowed. All discussion throughout the day with anyone you talk with is about the advantages of taking medications.

Day Two

Reverse the position. Devote the entire day talking about the negatives with your friends and loved ones and yourself (This is not your only work this day. It just focuses the discussions you have with your friends and family).  Everything that comes out of your mouth is about the negatives. Talk about all the reasons why it will be a stupid idea to start taking medications.

Day Three:

Talk only about the positives. Listen to yourself as you talk with others. Is your body excited? Are you excited? Are you losing energy? Are you gaining energy? How does it feel. Do you speak with confidence and enthusiasm? Listen to yourself.

Day Four :

Talk only about the negatives. Listen to yourself as you talk with others. Is your body excited? Are you excited? Are you losing energy? Are you gaining energy? How does it feel?Do you speak with confidence and enthusiasm? Listen to yourself.

You can do the routine for two more days, or it may be clear by now. You body may have given you a clear signal about which decision is best for you now.

I believe this is an eloquent way of helping yourself listen to the wisdom of your own body. Your body knows what is best. The idea is to listen to yourself babble on and on.  If your are confronting a tough decision, why not give Han’s decision making method a trial spin.  It works for him like a charm.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
www.parkinsonsrecovery.com

© Parkinsons Recovery

Parkinsons Freezing

freezing, medications

I have had Parkinsons freezing for 18 or more years. My problem is locking up, can’t move.

Example: If I’m keying in on an object, trying to carry something, I will lock up and have to struggle to move. Once moving I’m better until I stop. Then, I struggle all over again. Is this a side effect of medication I take?  Jack

It is certainly the case that medications for Parkinsons have many side effects. You are wondering whether the side effects of the medications you are currently taking might be causing the freezing.

By way of investigating this issue, I recommend that you ask your pharmacist for the drug sheets on all medications that you currently take. Drug companies are actually quite good about reporting all the possible side effects. It is their legal obligation. If you see freezing listed as a side effect on the drug sheet disclosure, then you have the answer to the question you are asking here.

I would speculate that even if medication is contributing to the Parkinsons freezing that you are currently experiencing it is probably not the sole factor at play here.

Changing positions seems to always help people get unstuck. If you move from side to side after freezing it helps get you moving again.  If you focus on your destination, it also helps.

The reason for freezing is that the energy required for fluid movement gets totally blocked because of how you are standing and holding your body. Another way of saying this is that the center of balance gets shifted too far forward.

When you think about the challenge of freezing as a center of gravity issue it is much easier to address. You can do something about being stuck in the moment. If you believe freezing is caused by medications you take, then you may be less likely consider timely shifts in your balance that can help tremendously.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery
www.Parkinsonsrecovery.com

Creativity is a Symptom of Parkinsons

Creativity and Parkinsons

Like the title? Creativity is a symptom
of Parkinsons. Most people think of
symptoms as unwanted. This one
is a welcome symptom for many.

If you happen to have the symptoms
of Parkinson’s today, there is a near
perfect chance that you have already
been very successful with whatever you
chose to do with your life. I validate
this truth over and over, week after
week in my conversations with people
who have Parkinson’s.

I have a very strong suspicion
that when the symptoms of Parkinson’s
creep into your daily life, many people
become significantly more creative.
They begin doing things they have never
done before in new and innovative ways.
Their creativity skyrockets (and it was
already off the scales to begin with).

Something happens – perhaps to the
soul of the brain – that is magical.
Here is what I heard today from a
man who has the symptoms of
Parkinsons.

“Although I have always been
creative when it comes to ideas,
I had never written poetry before
nor children’s books and after
I was diagnosed, I started doing
both. It also seemed very easy
for me to do so. When I sat down
and started writing, the words
flowed very quickly.”

For reasons unknown to me, I have
observed that people who experience
symptoms of Parkinsons disease
expand their horizons, make choices
they never imagined taking
and do things they had never
planned on doing. The world
is a better place because of it.

I want to document the truth of the
observation that the creativity of
people with Parkinson’s is enriched
and nourished.

Send me your story about how your
own creativity has soared after being
diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I will
collect these stories and post
them in this blog, in the newsletter
and in the book for all to read.

Lets document how creativity is a
symptom of Parkinsons. E mail me
your story (a sentence,paragraph or more):
robert@parkinsonsrecovery.com
Please indicate how you want me
to attribute your story. I can
make it anonymous or put your
first name only,

Call 1-877-526-4646 if you prefer
and leave a message. I will return
the call and record your story.

We all know it. Parkinson’s is a gift in disguise.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

© Parkinsons Recovery

Parkinson’s and Creativity

Creativity and Parkinsons

if there is a connection between
Parkinson’s and creativity? I have
experienced the same enhanced creativity
as others. After being diagnosed 10 years ago. I
was laid off from my job after 9/11. It was during
this time I began to use my father’s tools he left
me and started building things out of wood. I am
wondering 

So far I’ve built two blanket chests, one for
my daughter, another for my wife, a toy chest
for my niece, an outdoor barbecue table and
a kitchen center island. In addition, I completely
tore down our old deck and rebuilt it with
composite boards, added all new vinyl railings
and topped it off with deck lights.

These things never entered my mind before being
diagnosed. It seems my mind is always dreaming up
things to build. Why is that?

What a fascinating and very exciting report.
You are not the only person who has a curiosity
about a Parkinson’s and creativity connection.
Here is what I suspect might be happening.

I believe everyone has an inherent passion
to create whether it is a new idea, furniture,
art, comedy – the list is endless.

If I have been unable to create something
new for even a day, I begin to have an empty
feeling deep inside. It is a familiar feeling, a
sense of sorts that I am wasting my life.

When I can write as I am now, my juices
flow. My energy expands. My steam for
living bursts at the seams.

For many of us, there is too little opportunity for
creativity to have a place in our lives. Jobs,
family or other commitments have a way of
commanding our energy.

The body will find a way to insist on finding ways
and time to be creative. If we do not allocate the
time and space for our own creativity to surface,
our body will give us a reason to make it so.

What does our body do? It sends us a
clear signal to slow down, change our
habits and do things differently out
of necessity. If the choice were up to
us we would not change but our bodies
demand to be heard.

The symptoms of Parkinsons slow
down the time spent on effort that does not
feed our creative addiction, making it possible
for the creative juices to ferment.

This in no way implies that we were uncreative
previously, but the focus of the creative activity
shifts.Let me explain.

Innovation versus Creativity

Why exactly is there a connection between
Parkinson’s and creativity?

One form of creativity is to be innovative which
involves generating creative ideas and applying
them to a specific context. With innovation the
problem is clearly defined and the solution set is
clearly bounded.

This form of creativity takes a given problem
or challenge and solves it. For example, how
do I invent a car that runs on water? Or,
how do I motivate my secretary to come to
work on time? Or, how do I fix my clothes
washing machine that is so old the part I
need is out of stock?

When lives are busy and demanding, a
second form of creativity lies dormant just below
the surface of our consciousness. It waits
for a chance – any chance – to pop out and
claim its birth right to be heard.

This is the form of raw creativity where something
entirely new pops out of our brains for no
reason whatsoever. There is no pre-defined
problem to solve. There is no deadline to
meet.

Instead there resides a massive body
of creative urges and ideas deep inside
each of us that are patiently waiting
time to be acknowledged.

My answer to your question is yes. There is
a strong connection between Parkinson’s
and creativity

The Process of Creativity

What is the process that makes this
happen? Control does not work. If you try
to order the creative ideas to reveal
themselves they will drill a hole even
deeper into your sub conscious and
cuddle up for the long haul.

Using brute force to dislodge creative
thoughts does not work. You will have
just as much luck trying to break
through the walls of Fort Knox with a
jack hammer. Setting a schedule
for creative ideas to be revealed
does not work. Creativity does not
obey a time schedule.

Enough. How do thoughts that seemingly
have no origin or history find their way
out of our own consciousness? How will
we know them when we confront them?

They are revealed in their own time and
place as we quiet down the mind babble
that controls our lives. They pop out in the
most unexpected ways during the moments
of living when we are at peace with ourselves.

We become creative when we quiet the chatter
of our minds and allow the part of us we
have stuffed for too many years to emerge.
It is the ultimate calling to become whole again.

For many people this opportunity comes because
our bodies make us slow down the quick pace of
activity and force us to take in the mysteries
of the world. We appreciate our friends and
spouses in new ways. We see life differently.

Once the feverish activity of our minds
slows to a snail’s pace the creative juices
begin to percolate. At long last we recognize
a good idea when it pops out of our minds
because we can feel the surge of energy
that bubbles up from inside.

The same creative ideas may have peeked
around the corner to be noticed by us before,
but we were too busy to notice. The faucet
of adrenaline was wide open and all of the
associated hormones were being manufactured
by our body 24-7. No rest for the restless.

To summarize, a reason for the connection between
Parkinson’s and creativity is the condition slows
down the frantic pace of life. An opening is
created for the creative juices to flow and the
fresh ideas to be noticed. We begin to do
things we have always wanted to do in
our lives, but did not know it until now.
We stuffed the creative urges before because
there was no time. But now, with a little
more space for new things to happen,
we become whole again.

I am Like My Father

There is a second part of your story that I also
want to acknowledge. Whether your father is
still living or not, his presence and energy is
embodied in the tools you are using. They
were his tools. Now they are your tools.

As his son, you are connecting with him in the
most profound way. His hands guide your work
and keep you safe. After all, you are his son.
He gave you life. All of his wisdom lives through
you. You carry on the tradition of all the
fathers in the family.

As men we all need to feel the support of
our fathers. When we genuinely receive
and accept that support, we come into
our full creative power. We are able to
manifest our dreams.

When we take in the support of our father,
we are also receiving the support of all the
fathers who came before him – all our
grandfathers, great grandfathers, great
great grandfathers that go back in time
generation after generation.

I have personally noticed a profound
shift in my own energy and attitude
toward life after I fully took in the
support from my own father. I had
resisted his support for years, having
convinced myself I could do everything
on my own. I distanced myself from
him. It is much easier and more truthful
to acknowledge and honor the truth
that I am just like him.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

© Parkinsons Recovery

Excessive Sweating

excessive sweating

I have been doing sort of OK with my Parkinson’s except that
excessive sweating is driving me crazy. I sweat five or six times
a day – then sweat all night and wake up every morning soaking
from head to toe. I’ve done some research but cannot find
anything but talk about surgery.

Do you know of any nutritional or herbal treatment. Even if it is
not a cure but offers some relief?

I would appreciate some suggestions.

Thank you Robert

ML

Thanks so much for sending in your question.
Here is my spin on sweating from working with
individuals with the symptoms of Parkinsons
who have this problem. Rest assured you are not
alone in being driven crazy by this symptom.

Here is what I see is happening with excessive sweating.
Your body is sending you a strong signal. What is
the message? I sense the message is that your lymph
system is clogged and not functioning at present.

Why is it clogged? You have an overabundance of toxins.
(Please do not be offended. First, my guess may be
wrong. Second, everyone has this problem who lives
in a toxic world today and that is everyone!).

When the body is attempting to do its work of eliminating toxins
(which is one of its jobs) and there are too many toxins
for the body to eliminate in a normal fashion (through kidneys, liver, etc)
the body will use whatever means available to release
the toxins. If the lymph system is clogged, the sweat glands are
a good alternative outlet. Looked at from this perspective,
sweating may be critical for the organs in your body to
continue functioning. In other words, it is actually a good thing
to sweat though it is making you miserable.

What do you do about excessive sweating?

First, you can evaluate everything
you put on your body, everything you eat and everything you
touch. It is possible you are contaminating yourself in a most
innocent way (like the shaving lotion you use or the laundry
soap you use or …). It may be the furniture you sit on has toxins.
Consider all possibilities and eliminate any and all sources
of toxins. Make it a project for the month. The source of the problem
may lie in a most strange place, one that you never thought about
before.

Second, you can purchase a small trampoline and jump on it
for 4 or 5 minutes a day (unless balance is an issue for you).
Jumping on a trampoline every day helps to clear out the toxins
and clear your lymph system.

Third, you can contact a naturopath or MD type doctor who knows
how to help you detox gently (or go to your health food store and
discuss detox options with them). There are many other natural
options that can help you detox (infrared saunas, sweat lodges,
steam rooms, homeopathic treatments, etc.)

I frequently interview naturopaths on Parkinsons Recovery Radio who have great ideas
for detoxing. I recently interviewed Dr. Ivy Faber, ND, who does a test
that will tell you what toxins are problematic for you (or if the guess
is wrong about toxins, what might be the true source of your sweating
problem).

You also probably need to be especially careful to hydrate your body.
You may have the thought that you do not want to drink water because
it will make the sweating worse. Without adequate hydration, you
cannot detox your body and your lymph system will remain clogged.
There is a homeopathic treatment that is specifically designed to help
you hydrate your body. There is a marvelous therapy that
was designed to hydrate the body called the Aquas which is recommended
by Naturopath john Coleman,

Now – as you search around for herbal treatments, I recommend that
you consider the herbs that will help clear out your lymph system and
help you detox your body. I interviewed an amazing herbalist in
Pioneers of Recovery (http://pioneersofrecovery.com) Andrew Bentley.
He is the kind of person I would approach to get the best advice on
herbs to try.

The bottom line is I would direct your focus in consultations with
your doctors to detoxing your body of harmful substances. Once
the toxins are cleared to a manageable state, your lymph system
will begin to function normally and the symptom of sweating should
subside.

All the best,

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
www.parkinsonsrecovery.com

Nausea and Dizziness

dizziness

Heat seems to bother me. The sun shining on my back/neck
or a hair dryer creates a feeling of crawling or shrinking on my
neck and head and gives me a slight sensation of nausea and
dizziness. Have you heard of this being a problem with Parkinsons or
others with neurological problems?

My mouth, throat, and lungs feel dry, dehydrated, and have a
burning sensation and when I breathe deep I have a dry cough.
Is this a problem related to Parkinsons or do I have a problem
on top of a problem? I am in the Californian desert for the winter
and the problem seems to be exacerbated.

Nausea and Dizziness

I have not heard reports from people with Parkinson’s that are
specific to the nausea and dizziness symptoms you describe. The
range of symptoms that are associated with Parkinson’s is very
wide indeed. Recent research has focused on digestive issues as a
primary cause of symptoms. You may need to devote some tender
loving care to heal imbalances in your digestive system with close
attention to your food intake.

Sunshine is a key mechanism that helps the body manufacture
Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 provides foundational support for balancing
all other hormones in the body.

I might suggest that with this symptom, your body is giving you a
big clue about the source of hormonal imbalances in your body. You
might put on your detective hat and launch a search for the
underlying cause of the symptom.

Excessive salivation is the more common symptom that is
associated with Parkinsons. By your own description, it sounds
to me like you are seriously dehydrated. It would be worthwhile to
hear an interview I did with Dr. Jaroslav Boublik who specializes
in issues associated with dehydration. He is a researcher, not a
medical doctor, and explains what happens when the body becomes
dehydrated. You can listen to his interview here.

He explains that as we get older, our thirst reflect becomes
compromised, so we simply do not drink when our body needs
water as was the case when we were young.

Of the two nettlesome symptoms you list, I would make the
dry cough the highest priority. By far, the most common cause of
death for persons with Parkinson’s is pneumonia, so addressing
any issues with the pulmonary function will avert more serious
problems down the line.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

© 2024 Parkinsons Recovery

Pain Remedies

pain

I am regularly following your website and very good
information about alternative approaches to combat Parkinson’s.
My questions for you center on pain remedies you would recommend. 

I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about 3 years ago. 
the beneficial effects of L-dopa medications have diminished so that now
it sometimes doesn’t help at all and when it does, only for
a very short period of time.

Most of the day I am feeling bad, with little relief from
L-dopa. I have made life style changes with healthy diet,
low saturated and trans fat, less refined carbohydrate,
no processed food with variety of antioxidants and chlorella
green algae, L lipoic acid, N acetyl carnithine, gingko biloba,
vitamin A, E, C, B complex, selenium, zinc ; mitochondria
energy boosters like Co enzyme Q 10, NADH  and Bowen therapy etc.

I know that body needs time to heal and recovery  process
is zigzag. I have also started Aquas.

In spite of doing this I feel that my rigidity, muscle spasms
are increasing in my neck, shoulders, back. This is accompanied
by a feeling of other unpleasant sensations which are difficult
to describe but are all the same extremely. I feel a continuous
abnormal sensation which aggravates after noon & becomes worse
at night especially in my forearms and feet. Due to unpleasant
sensations, I can not sleep well and remain disturbed.

I don’t have any tremor, good gait, normal hand writing, good gait,
good hand eye coordination, decreased facial expression, little
difficulty in speaking, no slowness, no difficulty in initiating
movement, can ride scooter, less energy. During night hours my
legs become very heavy and my body drags.

My questions are 1) have you ever seen anyone like this whose
primary symptoms are pain and a very unpleasant internal other
sensation, rigidity with no tremor; is it atypical: and if so

2) what helped, or what treatment or other plan would you recommend?

About Pain Remedies

I need again to put my disclaimer at the top.
I am not a medical doctor, so be sure and consult
with your health care provider/doctor before making
any changes to your health care program.Take my
comments as information only to be discussed
further with your doctor. I am not qaulified to
diagnose or treat Parkinson’s or any disease.

Have I seen anyone like you?

I continue to be amazed at the variety of characteristics for each
person’s symptoms. Everyone has a unique situation and a unique
body. From my interviews, I would speculate that 20 – 30% of people
have symptoms that are somewhat similar to yours (though not identical!).

As a side note, the literature is clear that many people are
misdiagnosed. Estimates vary, but studies indicate that
at least one out of five people are misdiagnosed. Neurologists
have a tough job diagnosing this disease. Many tell their
patients – I do not know, but we can try medication if you wish to
see what happens.

What Pain Remedies Can Help?

My initial answer (which is probably what you were not expecting)
is experiment. The people who are getting good relief
experiment. Through experimentation they are able to figure
out what is most helpful to them. Many of the alternative therapies
do provide relief. The challenge is to find the therapies that
provide good relief for you and to find therapies that are
cost effective for you.

My second general suggestion for you is to begin looking in
different places for solutions. Think outside the box of options.
Let me suggest just a few possibilities.

First, consider the possibility that the side effects of the
medication might be creating some problems for you. It sounds
like the medication provided good relief initially, but
that now it provides little relief. There are over 40 hormones
in the body, so it is possible that your body is struggling to
maintain a good balance. There may be some harmful interactions
from taking the particular the supplements and medications.

If you decide at any point to reduce the dose, be sure to
consult with your doctor very closely. The process of going off
the medication is very tricky and can cause serious health problems.
It needs to be a very gradual and mindful weaning process which
can take a long time.

Second, you do not mention an exercise program, Do you have one?
It can be a true challenge with your symptoms, but any movement
during the day will help relieve symptoms. Exercise gets the lymph
system moving and helps strength the immune system.

Third, you might look into detox programs. Great! There are a
number of detox programs that offer the opportunity for
successful detoxes. I see that you are
taking Aquas which is a core approach for detoxing. Hydration is
the key to success with a successful detox program.

Fourth, it may be the case that all of the wonderful supplements
you are taking are not being absorbed by your body. In other words,
the primary challenge you may be having is actually digestive.

Many people spend a ton of money on supplements, but because their
digestive systems are compromised, the supplements go in and come out without being assimilated by the tissues of the body.

Ayurvedics is dedicated to helping people get their
digestive system back on track. You might find some interesting
possibilities if you investigate approaches that help your digestive
system come back on line.

Fifth, There is always an unconscious emotional reason for pain. Explore
emotional undercurrents with a craniosacral therapist or energy healer. When the
emotional undercurrent is cleared, the pain will resolve.

Finally, rest assured that you are doing everything right with identifying
the prefect pain remedies that can help you. Searching
for answers as you are doing will yield huge benefits. One thing
most people do not realize is that when you start on the road to
recovery, it is common that your symptoms will be worse on some
days before they get better. In fact – if you begin to feel lousy it can
be a good sign that you have chosen the perfect set of pain remedies
on your journey down the road to recovery.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© Parkinsons Recovery

Blossoming of Creativity Thanks to Parkinsons

Creativity and Parkinsons

My name is Andrea and I live in Florida with my Mom. She has experienced a blossoming of creativity thanks to Parkinsons.

She was diagnosed with PD about 17 years ago. She’s still in a pretty good shape because she takes as little medication as possible and we tried different type of alternative therapies like stem cell injection in Mexico, electromagnetic brain stimulation in Hungary, taking Kapikacchu powder and vitamins. She boosts her immune system with fermented papaya powder (Osato USA) and she received glutathione injections for a while (Dr. Perlmutter).

The medication side effects caused us lots of trouble and cost lots of money.She’s definitely in better shape than 2 years ago.Thank you for you the next thing what we want to try the sound therapy by Sharry Edwards. [Sharry Edwards from Sound Health Options was featured as a guest on your radio show].

It must be true that people with PD are getting more artistic. My mom started doing shell crafts, mostly animals. Everybody’s saying around us that she’s really creative and talented.

I think this type of activity is really therapeutic and helps fighting against the PD. (Of course when she’s burning her fingers it’s not so much:)

I just signed up as a member on your web site [https://www.parkinsonsrecovery.com/parkinsons-recovery]. I think it’s great and I really hope my mom will take advantage of it.

Andrea

Thanks so much for sending in the story about your Mom and how she experienced a blossoming of creativity thanks to Parkinsons. You are certainly trying out some fascinating therapies. Sounds like her situation is improving every month. Hooray!

The exciting positive side effect of Parkinson’s symptoms is a blossoming of incredible creativity. It is as if under used parts of the brain are suddenly activated.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
https://www.parkinsonsrecovery.com
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
https://www.parkinsonsdisease.me

Craniosacral Therapy for Parkinsons

craniosacral therapy

I was diagnosed with Parkinsons about a year ago and began treatment with levodopa about 6 months ago. Symptoms have been alleviated. I also began craniosacral therapy for Parkinsons about the same time as the levodopa. So, of course now I cannot tell which has been helpful.

My question however is about the scheduling of craniosacral massage: should I expect to have massage treatments on a periodic basis whenever symptoms worsen or should I schedule sessions on a regular basis regardless of symptoms? In other words, do conditions alleviated by craniosacral massage recur?

Thank you for all you do.

Carol

Decisions about the timing of any treatment – in this case craniosacral therapy – are in large part a function of the purpose you wish the therapy to serve. The answer is actually rooted in the thought which underpins your decision to do the therapy.

Is the purpose to alleviate symptoms? If so, the intent is not to heal the underlying cause of the symptoms. It is probably best to go when pain surfaces or symptoms flare. Recognize here that you are in a negative cycle. You have embraced the thought form that you will not get better, so the best you can do for yourself is to address symptoms as best you can.

As I write this I can feel a very low energy and energy to this plan of action. And, if this is the purpose, you will be seeing a craniosacral therapist for the rest of your life.

Is the purpose to heal the underlying cause of the symptoms? If so, the challenge is to work with a craniosacral therapist so that you can unwind and release the trauma that is trapped at the cellular level in your body. If you set your intention to heal and release the trauma, you will gradually feel better and better, though you may have setbacks here and there as your body adjusts.

Once the trauma is released and the tension in the body has been unwound, you do not have to continue getting regular treatments. Only if you are re traumatized will additional treatments be necessary.

This needs to be a gentle and gradual process, with no reason to rush or nudge it forward faster than your body can tolerate. As I write this paragraph, I can feel a very high level of energy and hope exudes every cell of my body.

How often should you go? Your body will give you the answer. Just ask it.

When it comes to decisions regarding craniosacral therapy for Parkinsons, the answer depends on the thought form that is motivating the interest in doing the therapy. Is the
expectation to supress the symptoms temporarily as is the case with medications or is
the expectation to heal the trauma that lies at the foundation of the disease.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
www.parkinsonsrecovery.com

© 2024 Parkinsons Recovery

Lithium Parkinsons Treatment

lithium

A caller on Parkinsons Recovery Radio during my interview with Angela Wensley offered several interesting remedies for Cancer, MS and Parkinsons. His reference to a Lithium Parkinsons treatment  is particularly interesting in light of the research study abstract I have included below.

The caller suggests that Lithium may be a treatment for Manganism,  a form of manganese toxicity. It is not accepted as a treatment for Manganism.

Lithium is widely used as a mood stabilizer for treating bipolar disorder and other psychiatric conditions. It  has an interesting relationship with magnesium. They  are chemically related.

The research study below indicates a Lithium Parkinsons treatment might potentially be useful in moderate doses, but two of the subjects included in the study were unable to tolerate the side effects and dropped out of the study. Most of the research focuses on low dose lithium as a preferred dose.

Lithium Parkinsons Treatment Study

IBRO Neurosci Rep. 2023 May 7:14:429-434. Lithium’s effects on therapeutic targets and MRI biomarkers in Parkinson’s disease: A pilot clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Lithium has a wide range of neuroprotective actions, has been effective in Parkinson’s disease (PD) animal models and may account for the decreased risk of PD in smokers.

Methods: This open-label pilot clinical trial randomized 16 PD patients to “high-dose” (n = 5, lithium carbonate titrated to achieve serum level of 0.4-0.5 mmol/L), “medium-dose” (n = 6, 45 mg/day lithium aspartate) or “low-dose” (n = 5, 15 mg/day lithium aspartate) lithium therapy for 24-weeks. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) mRNA expression of nuclear receptor-related-1 (Nurr1) and superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) were assessed by qPCR in addition to other PD therapeutic targets. Two patients from each group received multi-shell diffusion MRI scans to assess for free water (FW) changes in the dorsomedial nucleus of the thalamus and nucleus basalis of Meynert, which reflect cognitive decline in PD, and the posterior substantia nigra, which reflects motor decline in PD.

Results: Two of the six patients receiving medium-dose lithium therapy withdrew due to side effects. Medium-dose lithium therapy was associated with the greatest numerical increases in PBMC Nurr1 and SOD1 expression (679% and 127%, respectively). Also, medium-dose lithium therapy was the only dosage associated with mean numerical decreases in brain FW in all three regions of interest, which is the opposite of the known longitudinal FW changes in PD.

Lithium Parkinsons Treatment Conclusion: Medium-dose lithium aspartate therapy was associated with engagement of blood-based therapeutic targets and improvements in MRI disease-progression biomarkers but was poorly tolerated in 33% of patients. 

 

Chinese Scalp Acupuncture

Chinese Scalp Acupuncture

Chinese medicine offers integrative support for Parkinson’s and other movement disorders. Chinese scalp acupuncture, in particular, is effective with various health issues related to what patients suffer from. This interview with Pete Doyle, Acupuncturist from New York City, explores this great resource.

What is Chinese Scalp Acupuncture?

Chinese scalp acupuncture is a specialized form of acupuncture that targets specific points on the scalp to promote healing and balance in the body. This technique draws on traditional Chinese medicine principles, which view the body as an interconnected system where energy (or “qi”) flows through meridians. By stimulating points on the scalp, practitioners aim to influence brain function and enhance overall well-being.

How Does It Work for Parkinson’s?

  1. Improving Motor Function: Scalp acupuncture is believed to stimulate areas of the brain responsible for motor control. This can help improve coordination, reduce tremors, and enhance overall movement.
  2. Alleviating Symptoms: Patients often report relief from various Parkinson’s symptoms, including muscle stiffness, fatigue, and anxiety. The calming effects of acupuncture can help manage emotional well-being.
  3. Enhancing Neuroplasticity: Research suggests that acupuncture may promote neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize itself. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s.

What to Expect in a Session

During a scalp acupuncture session, a licensed practitioner will assess your condition and develop a personalized treatment plan. Needles are gently inserted into specific points on the scalp, typically remaining in place for 20 to 30 minutes. Most patients find the experience relaxing, with minimal discomfort.

Frequency of Treatment

The frequency of treatment can vary depending on the individual’s condition and response. Some may benefit from weekly sessions, while others might find that bi-weekly or monthly treatments are sufficient.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
www.parkinsonsrecovery.com

Chinese Scalp Acupuncture Resources

Peter Doyle, LAc, MSOM
900 Broadway, Suite 404
New York, NY  10003
(917)836-6834
www.qigardener.com

Jason Hao, LAc, OMD
(505) 986-0542
National Health Center
2019 Galisteo Street # C1
Santa Fe, NM 87505-2168

Edythe Vickers, LAc, MSOM, ND
An Hao Natural Health Care Clinic
2348 NW Lovejoy
Portland, OR 97210
(503) 224-7224

David P. Sniezek, DC, MD, LAc
2021 K Street, NW #710
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 296-3555
sniezek@aol.com

 

Grounding Pillow Case

grounding

While chatting with a member of my audience today I learned all about grounding pillow cases. Do a search on the term grounding pillow case to see what they look like.

You plug the case into an electrical outlet and you then rest your head on the pillow while sleeping.

I just wanted everyone to know about this positive report on its benefits. The cost is minimal and if it affords you a good nights sleep the purchase would be well worth it.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
https://www.parkinsonsrecovery.com

Cure for Parkinson’s at the Forefront?

aquas, causes of Parkinson's, Cure for Parkinsons, radio program

I have a question regarding the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Is a cure for Parkinson’s at the forefront?

A close relative of mine is suffering from what it appears to be a symptom of Parkinson’s. She is at the initial stages right now. E.G:

– resting tremors
– tremors get slightly worst in mid air (whether or not she’s holding onto something)

She is exercising regularly now which is a definitely a good thing, however, I have noticed that when she does a lot of housework or work in general the tremors would get slightly worst…is that a regular symptom of Parkinson’s?

At this point, she is going to be taking the anti-tremor pills prescribed by the doctor which hopefully will reduce or eliminate the tremor for the time being.

She is also not quite receptive to the idea of having to change the hygienic needs (e.g. shampoo, soap etc) to the herbal ones as was suggested in the e-book.

Are there any other suggestions you can provide aside from drinking 8 cups of water a day and more exercise to reduce the tremors? Acupuncture at this point did not seem to help very much…We haven’t tried massage or Bowen Therapy nor have we tried the Aqua therapy (simply coz we don’t know much about it)

Do you know whether there is a cure for the disease with the invention of a new pill at the forefront?

Any suggestions or feedback would be appreciated.

Response:

You ask whether doing a lot of housework or work in general are regular symptoms of Parkinson’s? It is not the housework in itself or work in particular that fuels the symptoms. The issue turns primarily on the presence or absence of stress. When work – no matter the form – is stressful, symptoms will flare up. The more your relative can acknowledge the stress she is under and find ways to release it, less problematic will be her symptoms.

Is sounds like she has decided to medicate her symptoms. An alternative approach is to acknowledge her body is sending her a strong signal that something different needs to happen. Other symptoms will rear their ugly head if the cause of the current challenge is not addressed.

Exercise will certainly make a huge difference. Also consider doing more disciplined exercise like Tai Chi or perhaps yoga. Yes – body therapies that release stress such as craniosacral therapy and Bowen therapy have the potential to help offer her relief from her symptoms because they help her body release the stress that is trapped at the cellular level. Why not give them a trial run? With medicines you incur side effects (which may well be worth the cost). Body therapies are noninvasive and safe.

The Aquas are recommended by Naturopath Doctor John Coleman who himself is now fully recovered from the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Aquas are a homeopathic approach which helps reprogram the body’s mechanism to signal thirst and distribute water throughout the body which gets disabled as we age. You can discover more information at: https://www.aquas.us.

Will there be a cure for the symptoms? No, there will never be a cure because the conditions that create the symptoms are multi-faceted. Each person’s situation is entirely unique to them. That is why the symptoms vary so widely across individuals. If there were a single cause, then it might be possible to see a “cure” down the road, but there is no single factor that causes the symptoms associated with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

Trauma creates havoc with the neurological system. Stress damages neural connections. Toxins blow the neurological system up.

I note that your friend does not seem to be worried about toxins. Toxins affect everyone who is alive today. If we do not take the effects of toxins seriously, we will eventually become ill in one form or another.

Do I have a suggestion for you? Yes. Make a habit of listening to the weekly Parkinson’s Recovery radio show.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/parkinsons-recovery.
You will find at least one suggestion in every show that will – I repeat will – help your friend get relief from the symptoms she is currently experiencing. It is free to listen.

You can listen to the replays of the previous shows for free. I have now aired 275 shows.

From my contact with hundreds and hundreds of people who currently experience the symptoms of Parkinsons I have observed the following. The people who are waiting on a  cure for Parkinson’s at the forefront are also waiting for someone out there to fix them. They inevitably feel worse and worse with each passing week.

The people who are taking responsibility for their health and take it upon themselves to figure out what their body is telling them are feeling better week by week.

Is a cure for Parkinson’s at the forefront? Stop waiting! Take responsibility for your life and you get better. Expect someone or something to fix you and you get worse.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease

Healing Sounds of Your Body

Parkinsons Disease Information, sound healing, sound therapy

Sounds are the most potent therapy that has the potential to heal from the inside out. What are the healing sounds of your body?

There are a multitude of ways the frequencies of sound are delivered to the body for healing. The most effective is also the method never used by most people.

Does this method require the purchase of a device that delivers the sounds?

No

Does this method require appointments with medical professionals?

No

Is this method costly?

Duh no. It is free.

What is it? Cup your hands over your ears to hear the healing sounds of your body. These are the healing sounds of your body that bring all of your systems back into balance.

Conclusion

The sound of our body creates a rich tapestry into our health and emotional state. By listening to the natural sounds of our body when we cup our hands we receive the frequencies that heal us from the inside out. No medicines or supplements required. No cost need be incurred. When you listen to the sound of your body, take a moment to appreciate the symphony within. Your body is always communicating with you. Are you listening?

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Healing Parkinsons

About Parkinson's Disease, energy healing, Parkinsons, Parkinsons Disease Symptoms, Parkinsons Disease Treatment

Hello, I am so happy to have received the link to this website..VERY INSPIRATIONAL!!
I am an Energy Practitioner and Motivational Coach. I am presently healing Parkinsons with 2 clients who have been diagnosed with PD.

My 1st client, after 3 years since diagnosed, he has been doing incredible work/ inner work on himself and is transforming and shifting to a higher level of consciousness, awareness and spirituality- which is bringing him much trust, faith and hope in his recovery. His attitude is very Positive and he is feeling GOOD more than not!!! NO DRUGS!!! HE IS RECOVERING!!

On the other hand, my second client , also has been about 3 years since diagnosed.. still very depressed and closed to any new thing that I bring to him to help his attitude to guide him in the right direction of his recovery. I have directed him to this website, the blog etc.. He refuses.. but every week I continue to see him to do energy work, massage and coaching.

There are times that he gets very inspired and makes a couple of steps forward, but the majority of the time, he goes backwards. He is not getting any support or encouragement from his family- and lives in a very stressful household. I am getting frustrated as a practitioner but know only too well that everyone chooses to either heal or not.. It is in their own time and I can not force anything..

Do I continue with my therapy healing Parkinsons? I have been working with him now for about 1 1/2 years. He said that he was going to give himself til November 2008, with doing alternative work before he chooses medication.

His family wants him to go on medication, he really does not want to go on medication but does not want to do the work that will get him on the path to recovery. He is resistant to healing Parkinsons. It is a catch 22- He does not feel good, there fore he does not have the energy or motivation to do the work- but not understanding that if he does the work (yes- will be hard at first) but by continuing, he will feel better. He eats well and takes all of the supplements that is suggested but not moving his body and has become VERY STIFF AND SORE- CAN NOT MOVE.

Can you offer to me any words of advise or encouragement or support for me. If the only thing that I can do at this time is just to be there for support for him, then that is what I will continue to do, but it is frustrating watching this 36 year old man going down hill when he does not have to be. He wants to see PROOF.. Like I said, I have directed him to this website for proof but he is not looking.

Choices for Healing Parkinsons

Warm congratulations to the one client of yours who is feeling so much better. He is clearly on the path of recovery. It is a bumpy ride, so having you there will make all the difference in the world.

Your deep concern of course lies with your second client who is getting worse. Your question is : how do I help him? Your experience is very similar to my experience. Some people are deeply committed to heal and are willing to experiment until they find what approaches work for them. They do get better. I can assure you and your clients that there are many people on the path to recovery.

The second person would prefer to have someone fix them, to make the symptoms magically vanish. I don’t blame them one bit. When I have an ache – I feel the same way. Of course – no such “cure” exists with Parkinson’s, yet many people prefer to believe it will happen to them.

There are many very deep, unconscious reasons why your second client will not do anything to help himself. On the most basic level he does not have the energy to do anything but see you. A nutritional IV can help persons in such situations.

A nutritional IV is a direct infusion of essential vitamins and minerals directly into the body. It is not a chelation. It is mainlining food the body is not getting. Some naturopaths and medical doctors specialize in nutritional IV’s. It helps people get back on their feet and give a much needed burst of energy.

Second, I would recommend you suggest to him that the reasons for his symptoms may in part lie in the area of toxins. There are many gentle ways to detox the body. It sounds like to me he is not ready to address any of the stresses in his life or traumas which sound like are a key reason for the symptoms from your description. He may be open to doing a little detox work.

Third, some people – and he may be one of them – take on a condition from another family member out of love. Sometimes it is a parent or a grandparent. Sometimes it is a brother  or sister. It depends. This is an unconscious entrapment into disease (his happens  to be Parkinson’s). This is a larger family system issue that keeps people sick until they address the issue. He is unlikely to go there now, but maybe later.

Fourth, when people get stuck in the mud so to speak, I have a very counterintuitive suggestion to make. Give him a mantra to say three times a day for a week. The mantra is

I refuse to get better. I like my life just the way it is.

If he can connect that that place within himself  that refuses to heal, he may be able to move forward.  We all get stuck sometimes.

Why might he resist healing Parkinson’s? There may be negative pleasure in having the debilitating symptoms. This too is unconscious. He is not doing anything about his situation because having the disease gives him something.The condition defines his role in his family and the roles of all the other family members. If he gets better, it puts all of that delicate balance out of whack.

The point here is to make explicit his moment to moment choice to feel worse and worse.   You can talk about all the things that will happen like nursing homes and wheel chairs so the truth is spoken out loud. We all make choices in our lives. Maybe the truth of the matter is that his true (though unconscious) choice is to check out of living and die.

Having said all of this, I think the job of a therapist is to honor whatever choice a client makes. Who is to judge that his choices are not the best for him, whatever they may be? When you ask what you can do for him, I would suggest you now put this back on him.

Ask him what he needs from you. Is he interested in healing Parkinson’s? Then give it to him in a loving way – honoring whatever choices he makes. You can facilitate his journey on whatever path he choices to take. Sometimes the most loving thing to do for a client is to honor their choice to get worse.

Keep up the wonderful work healing Parkinsons.  Know in your heart that you are the perfect healer for him at this time in his life.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© 2024 Parkinsons Recovery

Stress and Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinsons Disease Symptoms, Stress and Parkinsons

I know stress and Parkinsons disease is a major player in my symptoms. I have chronic pain and suffering from a surgery to my face that developed into what is referred to as a central pain disorder. Meaning, the central nervous system has become involved. I think it interesting that where this takes place is in the vicinity of the Substantia Nigra area of the brain where Parkinson’s develops. I’ve always thought there might be a connection.

I take 2 anti-epileptic (dangerous) drugs in order to function but this still leaves me with unbelievable discomfort that registers on my consciousness at all times. This, I see, as one of my greatest challenges to any kind of recovery. The others are :

    1.  Subtle stress in most everything I do (I just realized this) and
    2.  Negative thought patterns even though I see myself as a positive person.

I had childhood trauma and trauma as a young woman. I developed an autoimmune disease at age 22 that most often is not manifested in anyone younger than 50. I attribute this to a sensitive body that could not handle the devastation of estrogen packed birth control pills manufactured in the early 70’s.

Anita

My research concurs with both of your observations. Reducing anxieties and transforming negative thoughts offer welcome relief from symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Stress and Parkinson’s Disease

After conducting extensive research on methods that quiet symptoms, I have concluded that there is one step that helps the most. When anxiety and anxiety attacks are shut down, symptoms are significantly reduced. When anxiety flares its ugly head, symptoms become problematic. This is why I developed a three month online course to shut down anxiety so that symptoms become far less problematic.

My online course Shut Down Anxiety  introduces methods, strategies and techniques that have been proven by research and practice to reduce anxiety. They turn down the volume of the overactive flight-fight  sympathetic nervous system that inflames neurological difficulties.

I did not invent these techniques. They have been extracted and simplified from an extensive body of contributions by experienced practitioners and researchers. So, check out the online course and begin taking action on the methods suggested. They really will make a huge difference. Enrollment in the course is available here: Shut Down Anxiety.

Negative Thoughts Fuel Symptoms

The first online course I created focused on the transformation of thoughts that are not in our best and highest good. An explanation of the course and enrollment is available at:
Five Steps to Recovery.

Stress and Parkinson’s Disease Summary

Of course symptoms of Parkinson’s can be suppressed with medications and supplement.  A more direct approach that does not trigger the cost of side effects is to Shut Down Anxiety which it flares up. It also pays handsomely to transform negative thoughts that road block any recovery program by taking Five Steps to Recovery.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

 

Symptoms and Treatments for Parkinsons

Parkinsons Disease Research, Parkinsons Disease Symptoms, Parkinsons Disease Treatment

After reading a number of your helpful articles, I am writing to ask your opinion regarding a difficult case of Parkinson’s disease or similar disorder (as described below, the symptoms and treatments for Parkinsons are somewhat atypical for classical PD).

The person in question, now 63 years old, was diagnosed in mid-2005. The symptoms include right arm/shoulder pain, which has worsened over time, along with a mild tremor in the right hand. This is accompanied by a feeling of internal tremor or other unpleasant sensations which are difficult to describe but are all the same extremely and increasingly difficult to experience, sometimes like a feeling that his entire body is disintegrating (but he is otherwise healthy).

On observation, he has a slow or shuffling gait and decreased facial expression at rest and mild tremor of the right hand, but otherwise few other noticeable signs to indicate PD.

This person has been on Dopicar (L-dopa/carbidopa combination) for over a year, which helped for the first 3-4 months. However, over a short time the beneficial effects of L-dopa have diminished greatly, so that now it sometimes doesn’t help at all, and when it does, only for a very short period of time (an hour or less).

The present dose of L-dopa varies between 300 and 600 mg 2-3 times daily, depending on the particular symptoms and feelings on a given day. When the effect of the L-dopa wears off, the right arm becomes stiff like a log and very painful (worse than before taking it) This means that most of the day he is feeling bad, with little relief from L-dopa.

He has also been taking Azilect with little noticeable benefit. This was stopped recently after hearing John Coleman’s teleconference, but pain and other symptoms have worsened since that time.

My questions are 1) have you ever seen anyone like this who responds very poorly to medications after such a short period of time, and whose primary symptoms are pain and a very unpleasant internal tremor or other sensation, and if so 2) what helped, or what treatment or other plan would you recommend?

At the top of my response to your fascinating question is a brief explanation of my qualifications. It is true that I am a doctor, but I am not a medical doctor. I have a Ph.D. and am a researcher. I need to be clear that I am not a medical doctor and so I am not qualified to diagnose or treat any disease.

I regularly interview people with Parkinson’s (like John Coleman) and conduct interviews with experts in various modalities regularly, so I am in a position to provide insights based on the research I am doing. Please do not interpret anything I might say as medical advice but rather as simply information. It is always important to check with your doctor or health care provider for taking making any changes to a health care program.

Symptoms and Treatments for Parkinsons Questions

Have you ever seen anyone like this who responds very poorly to medications after such a short period of time?

From my research, your report of getting relief from medication after 3-4 months is typical, but at the low end of the range. I do not have enough data now to give you a good estimate, but qualitatively speaking, the average time appears to me to be around 7-8 months. Some people get no relief. Some get good relief for 2 years or more. I hear many reports of good relief for at least 6 months. Everyone is different.

Regardless of the length of the honeymoon, I have not interviewed anyone yet who has been on medication and not had to increase the dose after a period of time. The brief honeymoon suggests to me that the primary cause of symptoms may be rooted in factors that are not directly connected to the level of dopamine in the body.

Have you ever seen anyone like this who whose primary symptoms are pain and a very unpleasant internal tremor or other sensation?

If I have learned anything from my research on symptoms and treatments for Parkinsons,  it is that each person’s symptoms are entirely unique to them. I interviewed a man recently whose primary symptom was pain. Internal tremors are very common among the many people I have interviewed. It is a clue that the neurological system is not functioning at full capacity.

You  mention that his symptoms have been worse after going off the medication. This too is very typical from the people I interview. Some people who try and stop cold turkey without gradually reducing the dosage wind up eventually deciding to start  taking the medication again at an even higher dose.

You can probably expect a period of time for the body to adjust. From my research on symptoms and treatments for Parkinsons, what has happened to him is typical and very difficult to deal with.

You also ask what treatment plan would I recommend.The honest answer to your question is that a person can begin feeling better slowly and gradually when they make certain changes in how they eat and exercise. Finding ways to reduce stress and release trauma have also helped many people.

Finding ways to help the body release toxins has certainly helped many people with Parkinson’s. I am beginning a series of interviews with naturopaths and other doctors who offer different approaches for helping people detox their body. I would recommend that you might consider these many different options and see if one calls to you and him.

Another place to look is his digestive system. Research studies point to the problems with Parkinson’s originate in the gut. My guess would be that his digestive system may be compromised. Ayurveda has offered some people with Parkinson’s wonderful relief. Please note that I say some.

I suggest he experiment. Check out what is working for other people. Try out something that calls to him (a herb, a form of body work, a detox method, etc.). If it begins help, stick with it. If not, turn to something else. The people who are having the greatest success with recovery do just this. They are always experimenting.

I might mention that this is precisely what John Coleman did. He experimented with a number of therapies. Some helped and some did not. He continued with the therapies that were helpful and ditched those which did not help.

Give any option time to take effect.  Most people are not aware they are getting better, so they abandon therapies too early because they falsely convince themselves the therapy is not helping. If a therapy like detox is succeeding, a person may feel much worse before they feel better.

We do know now that it takes time for the body to heal from the symptoms of Parkinson’s. The range I now have is a minimum of two years to a maximum of 6 years. Recovery is a slow process.

The one thing that will help him the most is to acknowledge no single therapy, medicine or pill exists that can fix the problem. The causes of the symptoms are far too complicated and delicate for this to be true. It takes a dedicated commitment to give the body all that it needs to heal itself.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© 2024 Parkinsons Recovery

Does CoQ10 Slow Down Parkinson’s?

COq10, recovery, Thoughts and Parkinsons

Does coq10 slow down Parkinson’s?

Stephen

Response:

The framing of your question is fascinating- Does CoQ10 slow down Parkinson’s? There is an implicit assumption behind the framing of your question that Parkinson’s disease is a race in a download direction. I fully realize that many people hold the belief that Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease – meaning that anyone who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease is destined to deteriorate over time, with no hope of recovery.

The mission of Parkinsons Recovery is to provide compelling evidence from across the globe that the assumption Parkinson’s is “degenerative” is misguided and wrong. In support of this mission, I have been interviewing people for the past several decades who successfully reversed their own Parkinson’s symptoms. Stories of former guests on my radio show are featured contributors in Pioneers of Recovery. We are documenting more and more cases of recovery every week now.

There are many treatments and modalities of one form or another that help reverse the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Some supplements will help depending on the factors that are causing the symptoms. After all, a supplement is simply food for the body. You can feed your body with the nutrients it needs by eating healthy, live food or you can acquire the nutrition you need through supplements.

There is a controversy in the research studies concerning the use of CoQ10 to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s.  The difference in study outcomes (some studies report positive effects and others do not) is due to the type of Co-Q10 that is used. In the video below I provide an explanation that speaks to your question : Does CoQ10 slow down Parkinson’s.

There are independent benefits of two supplements: Creatine and CoQ10. First I summarize the benefits of taking each supplement independent of the other, then present evidence when both are taken together.

Benefits of Creatine for Parkinsons

People with Parkinson disease have decreased muscular fitness, including decreased muscle mass, muscle strength, and increased fatigue.  Taking creatine has been found to improve exercise capacity and overall endurance.

Creatine supplements have also been found to boost mood and reduce the need for medication.

Benefits of CoQ10 for Parkinson’s

Has your doctor recommended that you take Coenzyme Q10 along with your regular medications? Some doctors do. CoQ10 has been found deficient in persons diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Some health care professionals I have interviewed also report medications can deplete availability of CoQ10 in the body which increases the importance of supplementation.

What do you get when you take both Creatine and CoQ10?

The research reports taking both creatine and CoQ10 improves cognitive function and is neuro-protective.

But which brand of Co10 is best? There are so many!

There are so many choices on the market today. Many of them have limited potency.

Natural compounding pharmacist Ross Pelton directed me to a source of CoQ10 that is worth taking seriously. It is produced by Pharmanord of Denmark.

Most Coenzyme Q10 products sold today have negligible absorption rates. We are talking 1% at best. Why is this so? The melting point of CoQ10 is 10 degrees above body temperature. Most of the supplements you buy – even those in oil, have crystallized and cannot be absorbed by the body

Why Bioavailability of CoQ10 Matters 

Bioavailability measures the ability to absorb and utilize a substance like CoQ10 in the tissues and blood of the body. CoQ10 is fat soluble with a high molecular weight which is why its absorption is very limited.

Pharma Nord https://www.pharmanord.com has developed the most studied brand of CoQ10 globally. A proprietary heat treatment process greatly facilitates its absorption. The molecular structure of the Pharmanord CoQ10 is transformed from rough crystals to a snowflake like shape. More than 75 studies have now been published that document its superior absorption when compared to other brands.

The price is also reasonable. You can order the Pharmanord CoQ10 directly on their website. Their professional staff generously set up a 20% discount for members of my audience. You can claim this discount only if you ship to a USA destination. Enter the coupon code “PRQ10WEB“ to claim a 20% discount (not case sensitive).

CoQ10 Research

Eur Neurol . 2015;73(3-4):205-211. The effect of creatine and coenzyme q10 combination therapy on mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease Zhenguang Li, Pengfei Wang, Zhancai Yu, Yannan Cong, Hairong Sun, Jiangshan Zhang, Jinbiao Zhang, Chao Sun, Yong Zhang, Xiaohua Ju

Abstract

Background: To investigate the effect of creatine and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) combination therapy on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Parkinson’s disease (PD; PD-MCI) and its influences on plasma phospholipid (PL) levels in PD-MCI.

Methods: The demographic data of 75 PD-MCI patients who enrolled in this collaborative PD study were collected. These patients were evaluated using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). These 75 PD-MCI patients were randomly treated with creatine monohydrate 5 g b.i.d. and CoQ10 100 mg t.i.d. orally or placebo. MoCA evaluation and PL level measurements were performed after 12 and 18 months of treatment.

Results: After 12 and 18 months of treatment, the differences in the MoCA scores of the combination therapy and control groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05 at 12 months and p < 0.01 at 18 months), and the plasma PL levels of the combination therapy group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.01 at 12 months and p < 0.001 at 18 months).

Conclusions: Combination therapy with creatine and CoQ10 could delay the decline of cognitive function in PD-MCI patients and could lower their plasma PL levels; therefore, this combination therapy may have a neuroprotective function.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Pioneers of Recovery

Cure for Parkinson’s

Cure for Parkinsons, recovery

Outside of John Coleman and Nathan Zakheim, have you interviewed or met anyone else who found a cure for Parkinson’s? Has anyone fully recovered (symptom free) from PD? If so, could you tell me who they are and what they did to recover.

Thanks.

Carl

As you state above, I have interviewed two people who declare they are “symptom free” after having advanced symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. They are John Coleman, ND and Nathan Zakheim. I included interviews with both persons in Pioneers of Recovery.

I document many other stories of recovery here on the blog and on my radio program. Generally, most people report symptoms that fluctuate widely that involve symptom free periods and periods when symptoms flare (usually connected to stress).

I talk with many people who are feeling much better, but I do not have their permission to tell their stories or even add them to the count. The only stories I can report during the radio program interviews and the e mails are by people who give me permission to post them (with their first names only).

Thanks to your question, I have decided not to construct a “count” on the basis of symptoms as a function of whether they fully or partially resolved. I realize now that such a “count” would place the emphasis on the wrong side of the coin – on the goal of becoming symptom free.

What is the problem with this emphasis? You are most likely thinking, “Isn’t that the whole point of recovery?”

All successful recovery programs hinge on maintaining a healthy inventory of positive thoughts. The challenge for all of us is that our egos entangle us in a nightmare of negative thoughts throughout the day which trips us up and creates mobility difficulties. There are good reasons we choose to wait for a cure for Parkinson’s.

We get angry:

Why am I not feeling better today?

We get frustrated:

Why did a new symptom flare up today? I have suffered long enough.

We get impatient:

Why do I have nothing to show from my hard work?

We get fearful:

Why does my family believe I will get worse and worse. Is it true Parkinson’s is “progressive”?

We get depressed:

Why should I bother trying anything new? Nothing is working out.

We get mental:

Where is the evidence for recovery?

This is why we demand there be a cure for Parkinson’s now.

I could continue with 100 pages of questions inspired by our cleaver egos, but you get the point from the short list above. Our egos keep us stuck in the mud. It happens to all of us. No one in a body escapes.

Here is the rub. When our thoughts throughout the day are intent on eliminating symptoms or becoming “symptom free” we give energy to what we do not wish to manifest. If we agonize about becoming symptom free, any hope of recovery will inevitably backfire. We get the opposite of what we want. We give energy to what we do not want. If a majority of thoughts during the day focus on becoming symptom free, we nurture the symptoms, guaranteeing they will continue to pester us.

I admit this sounds counter intuitive, so let me explain. Focusing on becoming “symptom free” suspends you in a space of negative thinking that hangs out in collective consciousness. Every thought has a frequency. Those that center around “eliminating symptoms” are low frequency thoughts that can never manifest health and wellness. Rather, such thoughts sustain disease and illness. The thought

“I want to be symptom free”

focuses on what you do not want rather than what you do want to manifest.

A key to recovery is to take control over our thoughts moment to moment. As I wrote Five Steps to Recovery (which is all about transforming our thoughts),  I monitored my own thoughts each day.

Geez. I could not believe what I discovered. I roll the same negative thoughts around my head every day. The number of new thoughts was unbelievably tiny when compared to the thousands of negative thoughts I recycled every day. It was if I was living the same day over and over as I  listened to the same  record of depressing songs.

Have you ever seen the movie Groundhog Day where Bill Murray re-lives the same day every fricking day? The trap of negative thinking is just like the nightmare Bill Murray faced every day. You might as well read the same book every day of your life, year after year. The first day the book is interesting. After several months (much less decades) the book gets pretty darn boring. The juices of life get drained very quickly.

When I keep recycling the same negative thoughts, I have no prayer of changing any circumstance in my life. I certainly have no hope of reversing a chronic set of symptoms.

Among those who occupy a body, who is “symptom free”? I suggest that the honest answer is no one. Not me. Not you. Not anyone who occupies a human body. Everyone experiences symptoms most days: perhaps a new ache, perhaps a familiar digestive challenge, perhaps depression, perhaps low energy, perhaps a sprain, perhaps anxiety.

What is the Count of Your Symptoms?

When I preview the list of symptoms that are associated with people who have the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, they include just about everything wrong that can happen to a person. Perhaps this sounds outrageous, but it is true. It is why so many hold out the hope there will be a cure for Parkinson’s soon.

Below is a streamlined list of symptoms reported by persons who have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. A “streamlined list” means I have not included every symptom that people with Parkinson’s tell me they have experienced. As you read down the list, make a mental count of  which ones you have experienced at some point in your life time.

  • Stiffness
  • Numbness
  • Cramps
  • Balance
  • Depression
  • Repeating yourself
  • Anxiety
  • Apathy
  • Swallowing
  • Walking difficulties
  • Standing up straight
  • Constipation
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea
  • Urinating
  • Tremors
  • Drooling
  • Faintness on rising
  • Dizziness
  • Excessive sweating
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Insomnia
  • Memory loss
  • Weight loss
  • Skin rashes
  • Restlessness
  • Memory challenges
  • Rigid muscles
  • Muscle spasms
  • Joint pain
  • Nightmares
  • Hallucinations
  • Bruising
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Speech/voice changes
  • Difficulty with stairs
  • Frequent urination
  • Circulation issues
  • Haggard look
  • Headaches
  • Arm/leg heaviness
  • Muscle spasms
  • Full body weakness
  • Pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Red rash
  • Arm/leg rigidity
  • Social smiling
  • Swollen ankles
  • Chest tightness
  • Tingling
  • Tremors
  • Warmth in body parts
  • Weak muscles

I do not know what your count is, but I have personally experienced all of the symptoms in the list above at one point or another in my lifetime. I do not have the diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease.

How about now – in this very moment as I write these words? What symptoms am I experiencing in this moment?

  1. I have incredible stiffness in my shoulders which always happens when I write every day.
  2. I have ringing in my ears which I have learned to ignore.
  3. I have an ache in the middle of my spine (T4-T5).
  4. My throat is restricted.
  5. I had memory loss a few minutes ago when I could not remember how to spell a word.
  6. I had a tinge of tingling in my left little finger a few moments ago.

My list of symptoms above pertains only to this single moment. I will not bore you with a list of my personal symptoms from this morning or yesterday, but I can assure you my list of symptoms differs from day to day.

This is normal for most people unless you are superman or superwoman. (I do not have any research evidence on Bat Man or Bat Woman).

The body gives us a continuous feed of information. When we listen to the moment to moment information our bodies send us, we are in a much better position to make the adjustments that are needed for our body come back into balance. Instead of wishing I want to be “symptom free”, the better wish in my book of wishes is to be “symptom rich”.

If I were “symptom free” for one day, the likelihood my body would be out of balance is reasonably high. If I were symptom free for two days the likelihood my body would be out of balance is extremely high. If I were symptom free for a week, I dare say the probability my body would be out of balance would be assured.

Might I suggest a mantra that is diametrically opposed to waiting on a  cure for Parkinson’s? The mantra I suggest is:

Bring the symptoms on.

Don’t get me wrong. I do not like them one bit. I also do not know what I would do without them. I need the information they give me to hang around the earth for a little longer.

If all of my thoughts zero in on the goal of becoming “symptom free,, there is no time or energy left to think about what I want to create in my life. I really do want to figure out what my soul needs to do in my life before my time is up. But if I choose to spend the rest of my day worrying about just one of my symptoms – say not being able to spell a word this morning – there will be no time in my day to ask my soul what it needs for nourishment. I am choosing to spend my time luxuriating in Worry Land which I visit frequently.

Of course the process is repeated tomorrow as I worry about not being able to remember what I was worrying about the day before. And so the process unfolds day after day as my enthusiasm for life diminishes.

If I focus my thoughts on becoming “symptom free”,

  • I am not listening to my body.
  • I am detached from my body.
  • I am not connecting with the essence of who I am.

Because I am disconnected with my body, my symptoms in the moment will be sure to fester as other symptoms surface.

As I write this paragraph, I am not even aware of any of the symptoms that I listed a few minutes ago that were pestering me. I am not aware of them because my attention is focused in the moment on writing which is a true love of my life. Focus on writing and my energy sores. Focus on getting rid of my symptoms and my energy slides into the sewer.

How to Shift Thinking Away from Hoping for a Cure for Parkinson’s 

Bodies get out of balance. It happens. It happens to everyone. The body always strives to return to balance. The natural state for the body is health and wellness, not disease and illness. How do I shift my hamster wheel of negative thinking which I have been riding on since childhood?

First, I recognize I can choose the thoughts I wish to think. I am the master of my own thoughts. I can spend my day fighting against the symptoms of the day because I am determined to be “symptom free.” Yes, I can wait patiently on a cure for Parkinson’s.

Or, I can nourish my body with positive thoughts that will nourish my life force. I can write. I can dream. I can forward plan my life so that I am living the life I choose to live.

Second, I change my thinking habits. I can forward plan my day as the first activity of my day. It is 7:30 am. I have just woken up.

  • How do I want to spend my time today?
  • What do I want to accomplish?
  • What do I want to see happen?
  • What do I want to see happen in my life today?
  • What do I want to see happen in my life this month?
  • What do I want to see happen in my life this year and next year?

The more I can detail out what I want my future to look like, the more I can

  • sense it,
  • feel it,
  • taste it,
  • hear it,
  • see it,

The more energy the thought will manifest. If I spend my day contemplating what I do not want to experience (like symptoms), my life lacks focus. My energy is drained. My life force is diminished. My body feels clogged down with dead energy. I am able to manifest nothing other than feed the entrapment of my own ego which fuels my illness.

So thanks for whether they will ever be a cure for Parkinson’s.  It has helped my realize that if I begin counting the number of people who are “symptom free”, I will be oiling everyone’s hamster wheel of negative thinking. When suspended in a space of negative thought forms, no one is in a position to manifest balance and harmony in their life.

I get energy from forward planning my life. I lose energy from addicting myself to negative, depressing thoughts that drag me down into the pit of dark depression. My ego is always inviting me into the “mind sewer” of negative thinking.

I have decided it is my best interest to refuse the invitations. Mind sewers smell bad. Mind sewers are stagnant. Mind sewers breed disease. Mind sewers promote illness. They are not a good place to live.

I choose to whisk away all the negativity in my thoughts. I do not have any control over ending wars in the middle east or curbing drug related deaths in New York City. I can control what I choose to think.

When I choose to focus my thoughts during the day on what I want to accomplish during my lifetime, I feel lighter, more alive, more energetic and more powerful. When my mind becomes a fertile garden of positive thoughts, miracles do happen. Often. This feeds my life force and is a far better choice than waiting on a cure for Parkinson’s.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© 2024 Parkinsons Recovery

Mind Versus Body

Thoughts and Parkinsons

When symptoms are unrelenting it is easy to feel at odds and uneasy. It becomes a Mind Versus Body War. My poem was inspired by this understandable dichotomy between the “you” of the body and the “I”of the mind.

Body Talk
Robert Rodgers

Just as you twitch and flutter out of control
  So I too am lost and restless

Just as you freeze without warning
  So I too am stuck in a lifeless glob of concrete

Just as you talk in a silent whisper
  So I too think thoughts that are timid

Just as you soak my shirt with sweat and wet
  So I too am drenched with the tears of trauma

Just as you wear a mask on your face
  So I too mask my full power

Just as you swallow food with gargles and coughs
  So I too find my sorrow and grief hard to swallow

Just as you endure pain that never forgives
  So I too endure the relentless pain of heartache and regret

Just as you flop and flutter from one step to the next
  So I too rattle thoughts through my rusty hamster wheel

Just as you are tormented by confusion and forgetfulness
  So I too puzzle over what step to take next 

 Just as you collapse to the ground without a heads up
  So I too give up and give out with my head down

Just as you are numb to the pleasures of life
  So I too reject its deliciousness

There is you see only one solution
One road to recovery
One path to health
For you and for me  
We must become one you and I
For I am just like you.

© Robert Rodgers PhD

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery
www.parkinsonsrecovery.com
Olympia, Washington