Here are the questions Lilian answers during the interview:
The book is based upon the connection between stress and Parkinson’s. Can you elaborate
on this connection?
What’s the most common misconception about Parkinson’s that your book challenges?
This book features interviews – why this format, and what makes these stories so compelling?
What are some practical stress reduction strategies readers can implement after reading your book?
Many people feel hopeless when diagnosed with Parkinson’s. How does your book
address this?
Can you share a brief, inspiring story from one of the interviewees?
What makes this book essential reading for everyone, not just for those with Parkinson’s?
Many people with Parkinson’s feel isolated. How does your book foster a sense of community and shared experience?
Parkinson’s is traditionally diagnosed as a disease which only gets worse over time. This book challenges that view..
Interviews of people with a Parkinson’s diagnosis from around the world reveal that it does not have to be this way. Instead, hope and self-reflection can be part of the solution to a better life.
People can recover or improve, not via quick fixes or miracles, but with supporting psychotherapy and an understanding of why the body, due to chronic stress or trauma, has ended up reacting the way it does.
Below are listed the resources she discusses on the shortcut to hope and healing.
Steer a Steady Course on the Road to Recovery from Parkinson’s Disease
In small part, recovery from Parkinson’s disease is about medicines, supplements, exercise and good food.
In large part, it is about our own thoughts that declare we cannot heal, stress that soars to new heights every day, anxiety that seems to never lift, toxins that eat away at tissues and even infections that destroy cells.
The Jump Start to Recovery Course offered by Parkinsons Recovery founder Robert Rodgers PhD convenes 8 classes on Mondays and Thursdays during January 2025. Register by Christmas to claim the Early Bird Tuition discount.
Erase negative thinking that does not serve the best interests of your recovery?
Discover what is causing your symptoms?
Explore natural treatment options that reverse your symptoms?
Manage your anxiety?
Release past trauma?
Connect with others who experience similar symptoms?
In short, do you want to reverse the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease? Want to do that in 2025?
Jump Start to Recovery provides the resources and support needed for a successful journey down the road to recovery. This 2025 course includes:
Eight (8) live sessions with me as your instructor
No need to travel anywhere. Connect from your home or office using a telephone or your computer
Classes convene Mondays and Thursdays at 12:00 noon pacific time USA during January 2025
Free access to replays and notes for all classes
Every question answered during each class no matter how long it takes
Personal connection with me and all other students during each class
Lillian comments on Jump Start to Recovery
Jump Start to Recovery Launches Monday January 6th, 2025
Since 2004 I have been conducting research on the factors that cause Parkinson’s symptoms and natural therapies that offer the opportunity of reversing them. After two decades of research, I have integrated my discoveries into the eight Jump Start classes. Included will be recent discoveries that are revolutionizing how neurological conditions can be successfully reversed.
Jump Start to Recovery is the whole enchilada! Because ongoing support is essential to recovery, the course also includes personal instruction and support from me personally during each of the classes with replays and notes always available.
These sessions were very helpful as far as truly understanding Parkinson’s disease. To me it’s like a mystery movie playing out in your body and your job is to solve that mystery by trying everything you can to find answers as your body give you clues. The class helped a lot with my anxiety which was a very big problem for me. I still have it but now I seem to be able to control it better. Also I especially enjoyed listening to what the others had to say about the different things they are doing to help their symptoms. Jeannette
In short, Jump Start to Recovery offers a wealth of resources I have identified over the past two decades that have been helping people reverse their symptoms.
Why not set the intention to formulate a personalized recovery program that supports a successful journey down the road to recovery in 2025?
Most participants have to miss a session or two because of other pressing commitments. All classes are recorded and available for replay at a later time.
The Jump Start to Recovery Course offered by Parkinsons Recovery founder Robert Rodgers PhD convenes 8 classes on Mondays and Thursdays during January 2025. Register by Christmas to claim the Early Bird Tuition discount.
Hi Robert, Thank you so much for putting the jump start program in the place. I am experiencing great benefits from your knowledge as well as the experiences of others. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 8 months ago by a neurologist. Not believing her, I drove 2 1/2 hours for a second opinion by another neurologist that specializes in movement disorders. It was confirmed. Beyond a reasonable doubt, they said. I accessed your materials within one month of the diagnosis. I refused medication and put together my own program, with the help of your materials.
I want you to know that this week alone, my neurophysical therapist, my acupuncturist, and my cervical chiropractor, have all said no way, no way, do you have Parkinson’s Disease! They all three have many clients with PD. Whether I actually had it or just the symptoms does not matter. I am on the road to recovery! The best is yet to come!
Nancy
Purpose of Jump Start to Recovery
The good news about Parkinson’s disease is that it is possible to feel better and celebrate relief from symptoms. Jump Start to Recovery demonstrates what other people with Parkinson’s have done for themselves to feel better.
Everyone knows some things that can make a difference. Eat healthy food. Exercise. Reduce stress. Maybe you do this. Maybe not. Jump Start to Recovery introduces fresh ideas and approaches that are making a huge difference to the quality of life for people who currently experience Parkinson’s symptoms.
The Jump Start to Recovery experience helps you discover what you can do for yourself to feel better. You read the last sentence correctly. Jump Start to Recovery is all about putting you in the drivers seat of your own recovery. It is not about convincing you to buy into any particular therapy.
More and more people are reversing their symptoms, but the path to success differs for everyone. Given the complexity of this particular neurological condition, there will never be a single magical solution that will fix the problem for everyone.
Jump Start to Recovery helps you figure out for yourself the natural therapies that will offer you the best opportunity for returning to your natural state – the state of balance and health.
My mission is to help you steer a steady course on the road to recovery. You are the one who heals.
My role is to facilitate your process of recovery. You are the one in control.
Hi Robert,
Now that our Jump Start to Recovery program has completed, I want to thank you. Your knowledge and skill in guiding us through each session was very helpful and appreciated. You affirmed my feelings that I need to learn to trust my gut instinct and maintain control over my own healing journey.
Thank you for making time to respond to every one of my emails when I was looking for information. I’m looking forward to having ongoing access to all the resources you are posting. All the Best, Ann
It goes without saying that the 2025 Jump Start to Recovery course will not offer a quick fix or “cure”. Given the complexity of the factors that contribute to the symptoms of Parkinson’s, it is highly unlikely that any single “cure” will ever be found.
I do believe it is possible for each person to discover opportunities to get great relief from their symptoms and lead a full and productive life. My research has revealed that many people’s lives are enriched beyond measure after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Some are symptom free today. Others are successfully traveling down the road to recovery,
Grateful…yes, that is the word for the Jump Start To Recovery. The opportunity to share and reflect in a neutral space, a place where awkwardness crumbled in the mind’s inner core to be awakened on a new path for discovery.
Dave
What Helps Reverse Parkinson’s Symptoms?
Find out by enrolling in the Jump Start to Recovery course. You get to take the journey with other participants who are also committed to their own healing.
The Jump Start to Recovery Course offered by Parkinsons Recovery founder Robert Rodgers PhD convenes 8 classes on Mondays and Thursdays during January 2025. Register by Christmas to claim the Early Bird Tuition discount.
Many people use prescription medications to control their hormones. This works well for some people and not so well for others. Jump Start to Recovery introduces various options that capitalize on natural therapies and approaches that facilitate recovery. My goal is to help you heal yourself from the inside-out by learning how to reset the delicate ‘thermostat” your body uses to balance your body’s hormones.
Hi Rob:
Your program provides extreme value in guiding me through the process I had already embarked on. The guidance you provide as well as the guidance the other participants provide through their stories is rock solid spot on , so my body confirms. Allowing to feel the old pains – getting presented where they come from , processing and synchronizing the mind and body and … releasing the old energy captured in my body after that is on my daily menu – all comments provide confirmation of what I am going through. All is part of the process.
Medication camouflages the real ‘feeling it’, processing it and cleaning it up – therefore I can imagine that when people take medication it is hard to help them heal, as the experience remains hidden. Until also max medication can’t cover it up any longer – The area where medication does not yet or not anymore camouflages the symptoms is the area where the work lays. That’s where the nasty bits stick up their ugly heads, asking and yelling to be felt, recognized and healed.
So grateful that I was given the techniques to handle the phenomena that then arise, through the guidance received from many, as a preparation for the release process which is now intensifying, and the relief that that brings afterwards – every time again.So grateful for folks like yourselves!! Just had to let you know. Grateful regards,
Hans
Can I Participate If I Take Medications?
Heavens yes! Medications are simply one of the many options that many people pursue to get relief from their symptoms. Many participants in our Jump Start to Recovery Programs currently take medications of one type or another. Methods that improve the efficacy of medicines and make it possible for them to last longer will be addressed in the course.
Hello Robert,
I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your Jump Start Program. I appreciate all the time and effort you put in to it. I learned so much and now have so many options to explore and research. Thank you so much
Janie
Can a Family Member Participate?
Yes indeed. Family members are always welcome in all of the classes. They play a critical role in the recovery process.
Thank you so much for a wonderful seminar, full of a lot of practical ideas to help oneself, and most importantly your genuine care and concern for everyone. May Our Lord continue to bless your work with Parkinson’s and instilling hope and the positive approach that this does not have to be a life sentence. God bless you always,
Mary and Jeff
Reasons to Register for Jump Start to Recovery
Jump Start to Recovery does not replace the critical role of your doctor and other health care providers. It is critical that you consult with your doctor before starting any natural therapy that is introduced through the Jump Start to Recovery course.
Past experience has shown that best results come from gently nudging your body to do the intricate work of balancing hormones. Short term remedies do produce awesome results for a few weeks or months. Jump Start to Recovery is all about helping you discover ways of nurturing your body so that you enjoy long term relief of symptoms.
I got the diagnosis from the neurologist last year in May and made the choice not to take medication. I started to do my own research. I changed habits (still do), started to heal traumas and now I am healing my gut. So, your Jump Start program is a great welcome and a big confirmation that I am on the road (my road) to be recovered. Recovery is my goal. Thank you for this wonderful Jump Start.
Marie-Laure
Netherlands
Stress and trauma aggravate the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Sometimes trauma from the past – even in childhood – can be so horrific that it remains contained and stuck in your physical body. Trauma from the past can literally be lodged in your tissues. Reduce ongoing stress by releasing traumas.
There are gentle ways to release unresolved trauma. When stress and trauma are released from the body, it becomes possible to return to a familiar state for the body – a natural state of balance and harmony. The body’s natural tendency is toward health and wellness, not toward disease. At Jump Start to Recovery we introduce a variety of powerful methods that gently nudge the body to remember how to maintain the delicate balance of hormones and sustain overall health.
Lay a Fresh Foundation for Recovery
Much of my research over the past two decades involves identifying the therapies and treatments that help people with Parkinson’s celebrate relief from their symptoms. I know a great deal about what helps because people with the symptoms of Parkinson’s tell me what helps them.
What lies at the foundation of the symptoms? Some researchers believe genes lie at the foundation. I enthusiastically applaud their work. Other researchers believe chemical and hormonal imbalances lie at the foundation of symptoms. I enthusiastically applaud and support this stream of research. Still other researchers focus on developing new drugs and surgeries. I too enthusiastically applaud and support this work.
I center my attention on an entirely different approach – the identification of what is causing the symptoms. Once the cause has been identified, appropriate therapies can be pursued to reverse symptoms.
Thought forms also lie at the foundation of the symptoms. Thoughts which bring up fears, anxieties and stress will inevitably wreak havoc on a sensitive neurological system. When we churn a hamster wheel of negative thoughts day in and day out, physical discomfort and disability will inevitably persist.
When destructive thoughts are dismantled and replaced with a new foundation of thoughts that serve our highest and best good, recovery becomes possible. This is when correcting all imbalances in the body happens.
Entanglements in family systems can also impede recovery. Once identified, these entanglements can be cleared. Clearly entanglements is also an important focus of Jump Start to Recovery programs.
Learn about Natural Approaches and Methods for Releasing Toxins and Viruses
Viruses and toxins also contribute to the symptoms of Parkinson’s. There are a wide variety of natural and safe approaches that can be used to release toxins and viruses from the body. Jump Start to Recovery offers explanations of natural approaches that facilitate the release of toxins, bacteria and viruses that clog up the neural networks. Many people are unaware that they are being re-exposed to toxins from every day exposures.
Jump Start to Recovery Course Tuition
The Jump Start to Recovery Course offered by Parkinsons Recovery founder Robert Rodgers PhD convenes 8 classes on Mondays and Thursdays during January 2025. Register by Christmas to claim the Early Bird Tuition discount.
The Path to Recovery Starts with Jump Start to Recovery
There is no doubt about it. People feel better when they are not stressed and when they take control of their own health. Jump Start to Recovery is informative, interesting, fun and stress free. Learn what you need to know to feel better at Jump Start . Have fun doing it. Why wait?
Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder of Parkinsons Recovery www.parkinsonsrecovery.com
robert@parkinsonsrecovery.com
Olympia, Washington
1-877-526-4646
Why are more investors not involved in cryptocurrency trading? It has been very difficult if not impossible to figure out how to invest in the most promising crypto opportunities and how to cash them out. I have personally been involved trading cryptocurrencies for four years now with considerable success. Quite frankly, it has also been a steep learning curve to understand what cryptocurrencies are all about.
This course is designed for those of you interested in becoming involved in cryptocurrency trading that promise the opportunity for handsome returns. Learn …
The mechanics of how I invest.
How to find tokens poised to offer steady increases in value
How to decide when to invest and when to close positions.
The little known system for claiming airdrops of crypto tokens. You get the new tokens for free. They can explode in value once placed trading platforms.
It is a new world out there. I would be honored to help you get started with learning how to trade cryptocurrencies. The course involves four live sessions with me over the two weeks before Christmas 2024. We will convene Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:00 noon pacific time. Replays available for all classes. Visit the link below to register:
Feldenkais Practitioner Cynthia Allen discusses the guiding principles of Feldenkrais for Parkinsons as she guides us through several fascinating movement experiences.
Movement often becomes more difficult as we age. When we add Parkinson’s Disease to that mix, we can feel trapped. Let’s examine how we can reclaim functional and pleasure in movement using the Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education. Learn how working with curiosity and movement experiments awakens your brain to possibilities that were unavailable just a few moments ago. You will get a chance to do small movement experiments within this session from a seated position. Experience what Feldenkrais for Parkinsons is all about. Come ready to be surprised!
Cynthia Allen has been working in wellness practices, healthcare management, and organizational consulting for over 35 years. In 2001, she became a Certified Feldenkrais® practitioner and, more recently, a Senior Trainer in Movement Intelligence. She is the co-creator of the Integral Human Gait theory and the creator of Your Learning Body, an online Feldenkrais community
She has found Feldenkrais Method and Bones for Life to be a vital part of finding personal health despite life challenges. In her private practice, she has had the privilege of working with many people with Parkinson’s Disease, helping them to move through daily life with increased ease.
Cynthia has written about the Feldenkrais Method, pain, and trauma for the Alternative and Complementary Therapies Journal as well as the online Chronic Pain Partners. She has conducted and published a research paper: Alternative Movement Program in Geriatric Rehabilitation in the Functional Neurology, Rehabilitation, and Ergonomics.
She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband, business partner and NLP guru, Larry Wells and their new puppy Darby. Today her practice is held online allowing her to serve more people than she ever realized was possible.
The following series of Blog posts come from Jay Whiteside in Toronto, Canada where he keeps in touch with family and friends in a series of newsletters he’s named as ‘What’s Shaking’. Jay has edited highlights from ‘What’s Shaking’ for us to hear firsthand how he is managing his Parkinson’s symptoms which were first discovered over ten years ago. He kindly gave me permission to post seven of his episodes here.
I began my Blog because of the long quiet among friends, family and me as I addressed my condition. I wanted those close to me to know how I was doing and for them to gain encouragement from my evolution. In doing so I stacked the deck to expect continued progress.
Parkinson’s Disease has been called “as the gift that keeps on taking.”Yet, for all that it takes I am enhanced for having it.
And while the work is hard – and not always pretty – dealing with PD has made me more complete; a person I like more and am content with. But yes, the work is hard.
This Blog is for me. It helps to organize my thoughts in a useful context. The plan is to make this a regular journal. In time, others may find this series of reports can be useful for them too.
This is part of my effort to make sense of the changes that are taking place. My objective is to forestall the natural progression of the condition and establish strategies to get the best from it.
I can be a better person while living with a condition that may be destroying my brain. Since there’s no hiding from it, I elect to embrace it. And since PD is relentless, then I will be too.
I am enjoying success with the program Rosie and I, and my health care team have put together. It’s a mix of traditional medicine and alternative approaches. I have good specialists supporting me. Some of my physical symptoms are reduced from a year ago. The emotional and cognitive limitations that are becoming more present can be successfully managed. “Parkinson’s in Remission” is a real possibility. Many differentyears-ago metrics have improved.
My outlook is a well-managed positive one. Being upbeat in the face of challenge is a gumbo of gratitude, confidence, faith, good humour, and the choice to be happy.
To consolidate and reinforce this, I reflect on mysimple pleasures. My list is intended to go beyond the sunsets-and-puppies pleasures that everybody shares and focus instead on deeply personal, specific pleasures of mine that celebrate and strengthen the sensation of being me. I include the following list of pleasures I am grateful to enjoy.
The following series of Blog posts come from Jay Whiteside in Toronto, Canada where he keeps in touch with family and friends in a series of newsletters he’s named as ‘What’s Shaking’. Jay has edited highlights from ‘What’s Shaking’ for us to hear firsthand how he is managing his Parkinson’s symptoms which were first discovered over ten years ago. He kindly gave me permission to post seven of his episodes here.
Starting with an upbeat mindset, my What’s Shaking Five-Step program includes excellent nutrition, 15-plus hours physical fitness training every week, Parkinson’s-targeted physio, and not automatically adding more prescription drugs (my pharma load is 25% less than two years ago).
There’s a lot of learning in each of these steps (and lots of trial by error too) but with this plan I continue to see progress.
I reject the notion that I’m retired. I have a career’s worth of work ahead of me. Learning about myself. Learning about medicine and the warren of health care approaches. Continuous measured improvement of my five-steps. Learning and practicing and refining healing modalities – both conventional and natural, even mystical. Always moving forward. And seeking opportunities where my direct experience may benefit others, and vice versa. Sharing the lessons learned from this peculiar gift.
The work starts with getting in my own face…How healthy do I want to be?
If on the one-to-ten scale it’s a number I can be proud of, then I need a bigvision. “Training” must be a total lifeforce devotion, not a twice a day lifestyle diversion. All-in commitment vs. sort-of miscellany.
The following series of Blog posts come from Jay Whiteside in Toronto, Canada where he keeps in touch with family and friends in a series of newsletters he’s named as ‘What’s Shaking’. Jay has edited highlights from ‘What’s Shaking’ for us to hear firsthand how he is managing his Parkinson’s symptoms which were first discovered over ten years ago. He kindly gave me permission to post seven of his episodes here.
Episode 3: Reawakening a zest for life, while making do with less – and not wanting more.
That’s the thought I had when this picture was taken. I prepared (aka “trained”) for this week in Barbados and was determined to vigorously participate in all resort activities; every nibble was going to be a shark’s bite. That was my schtick.
We had a wonderful holiday. I especially love this photo because it depicts my body in a state of joy, disengaged from the limitations of my head. The week away was all of that.
Not to say everything was perfect. There was brain fog, stumbles, and Parkinson’s disquiet that collided with best intentions for fun and frolic. The verdict wasn’t always in my favour. I was sometimes left shaking and disappointed, wishing I could’ve been better in the moment. And so, the journey continues.
My newly acquired hard knocks are contrary to the usual principles of training. Weren’t we taught the longer and harder we train the more stamina we develop? Shouldn’t I be able to build a reservoir of energy I can spend recklessly during a vacation blow-out? Pre-Parkinson’s, sure. Now, maybe no. No, definitely not.
As you may have guessed, for all my preparation I over-indulged while on holiday. Nothing embarrassing unless you count the five weeks of sluggish recovery from exhaustion, and associated opportunity cost.
It’s been an important lesson about Parkinson’s-as-adversary: momentary improvement doesn’t foretell long-term success. This is a close cousin to a favourite platitude, “never take a victory lap.” This isn’t how I expected to feel after a week in paradise. What went wrong?
The following series of Blog posts come from Jay Whiteside in Toronto, Canada where he keeps in touch with family and friends in a series of newsletters he’s named as ‘What’s Shaking’. Jay has edited highlights from ‘What’s Shaking’ for us to hear firsthand how he is managing his Parkinson’s symptoms which were first discovered over ten years ago. He kindly gave me permission to post seven of his episodes here.
Episode 4: I’ve never excelled at moderation. Which is hilarious.
I don’t want to be a shuffling drooling addled old fart. Not yet anyway. The responsibility for that is mine. The expectations are mine. Getting into my grill is like a return to the drawing-board and refocusing the plan.
My zest-for-life reawakening needs to be bigger than goofing in a pool. Having yielded to excess – and paid a price in relapse – I’m ready to do what it takes for the best total health possible. This sounds almost gullible, yet I’ve got some fundamental self-management choices to make, each with significant repercussions, not just in Parkinson’s disease management, but that apply to continued good health in the prevention and cure of most chronic ailments.
What exactly did I learn?
I can’t play peek-a-boo with Parkinson’s. If PD doesn’t take a day off (and is always progressing), then I can’t either. A larger commitment requires a more complete focus.
If medication is essential to successful self-management, then why would anyone knowingly limit its effectiveness with body chemistry fluctuations caused by poor eating, booze, and lifestyle high jinks? Face it, how healthy do you really want to be?
Being nonchalant about body chemistry invites scorn from some of the people I rely on the most – including myself…sort of are-you-crazy (?!) scorn. It’s not good to piss off the fan base.
Making do with less and not wanting more is a wonderful philosophy. It’s got significant currency and broad relevance. It’s “Sustainability” in bumper sticker form. Make it a mantra.
Embrace gratitude. Holiday travel to exotic locales with good friends and wonderful experiences is a gift that warms the soul forever. In the face of challenge celebrate what fortifies the fight.
Getting better with Parkinson’s may be therapeutically (theoretically?)impossible based on current science and the published literature.
Being better with Parkinson’s is within my realm. I’m glad for the opportunity to examine this more closely and the feeling of greater determination that has come from it.
The following series of Blog posts come from Jay Whiteside in Toronto, Canada where he keeps in touch with family and friends in a series of newsletters he’s named as ‘What’s Shaking’. Jay has edited highlights from ‘What’s Shaking’ for us to hear firsthand how he is managing his Parkinson’s symptoms which were first discovered over ten years ago. He kindly gave me permission to post seven of his episodes here.
“Jay, you’re living your life, not the disease,” said a medical team member at my pre-summer check-in. That’s a mantra disguised as a compliment. I take great pleasure from that observation and am propelled forward.
So, I ventured on the squash court for the first time in 30-years. I was no Jahangir Khan for sure. But I didn’t embarrass the club or my host with my performance. And at least the following days’ muscle stiffness was notrigor mortis. Since then, I’m playing regularly…line up ten guys my age on a squash court and ask which one has Parkinson’s. You won’t pick me!
I visited family on my first unaccompanied transcontinental trip in ten-yearswith Parkinson’s. Well worth the effort; just the effort was strenuous. Travel is a marvel – and you can’t beat the welcoming arms of family at your destination – but the literal people-packing logistics are a coordinated effort to exploit or aggravate brain damage. It’s a challenge for those of my ilk.
Further to this, students of the Parkinson’s condition will recognize a concern about impulse control. In some cases, the interaction of the disease and medication will produce potentially embarrassing “impulse control” side effect issues, like gambling,excessive carnal desires, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and so forth. I face the prospect of impaired impulse control with big time apprehension.
So, I signed up for an online seminar on the topic. My first. It was a support group for those with hideous experiences to bare. Like the person who admitted he is compelled to disrobe completely each time using a toilet.
He can recount it now with humour recalling people’s reactions to a wrinkled nudist in a public restroom. Ha-hah, right. It strikes fear of imminent humiliation for me.
Laugh all you want, but while shopping at Nordstrom last month I was spooked I’d wander out of the change rooms naked. I was so preoccupied with not presenting myself nudus nudum, that I locked myself out of the change room. My clothes were inside. “…ROSIE?!”
The following series of Blog posts come from Jay Whiteside in Toronto, Canada where he keeps in touch with family and friends in a series of newsletters he’s named as ‘What’s Shaking’. Jay has edited highlights from ‘What’s Shaking’ for us to hear firsthand how he is managing his Parkinson’s symptoms which were first discovered over ten years ago. He kindly gave me permission to post seven of his episodes here.
My other first is my beginnings of a “Parkinson’s Kaleidoscope” to help chart progress on the Parkinson’s journey. Where am I on this supposed progressive, degenerative voyage?
I’m aware of the random course my Parkinson’s symptoms appear to take. There’s no clear or predictable path to the journey. All sorts of different external factors affect change in Parkinson’s symptoms. Call them externalities. The externalities are not variables easily measured and they defy predictability. Each symptomcan be affected differently by externalities like emotional state, routine, current sense of self, level of exercise, nutrition, family status and feelings of support, among others.
The current state and status of these relationships can’t be depicted as a histogram or a bar chart. I wish it were a periscope in which I could peer from great depths to see what lies ahead. The reality is more like looking into a kaleidoscope.
So, I’m forced to make sense from an imperfect device…a kaleidoscope. To start building the basic viewfinder there’s got to bean inventory of symptoms.
Here’s mine – remembering that Parkinson’s cases are like snowflakes…no two are the same, they are merely a collection of similarities classified as “Parkinson’s”. This my snowflake…
I’m working to make sense of the journey and will have more thoughts on the Kaleidoscope in future Blogs.
My summer of firsts includes my first-ever effort at a series of short stories. I have no desire for a public career as children’s author, but I can see this becoming a private love affair of mine. I have (will have) some hesitation in sharing. Because I’d like it to be good.But to be good, it will need to be vulnerable, emotional and personal, and we already know what I think about getting naked in public! Let’s see how this goes.
The following series of Blog posts come from Jay Whiteside in Toronto, Canada where he keeps in touch with family and friends in a series of newsletters he’s named as ‘What’s Shaking’. Jay has edited highlights from ‘What’s Shaking’ for us to hear firsthand how he is managing his Parkinson’s symptoms which were first discovered over ten years ago. He kindly gave me permission to post seven of his episodes here.
“The shoes of two Penticton hikers now relaxing after a busy day in the Okanagan wilderness.
If you look closely, you may notice Tickleberry ice cream drippings, the official energy food of the region.”
Chapter One – Introduction: On the Trail Together
Millie, a spirited toddler with unstoppable curiosity, and her Grampy, Jay, a towering figurewhose wealth compounds in rich life experiences, have started a tradition of real and pretend fun stuff. Jay, who at 70 lives freestanding of Parkinson’s Disease, finds joy in these adventures, fuelling an offbeat perspective on the stories each trail tells.
Despite a reserved nature, Jay’s dashing vitality and charming demeanor make him a well-liked figure in the community.
Their journeys are filled with exploration, laughter, and occasional goofiness, all strengthened by the bond of adoring grandfather and adorable granddaughter. As they navigate the rugged terrain, they create memories, each step building their spirits with shared delight.
Today’s hike was no different, a mix of stunning vistas and dusty detours, including a stop for Tickleberry ice cream that produced more than just a sweet smackerel of tasty goodness.
As Millie padded along the path, her tiny shoes mirroring the confident long strides of her Grampy, the world was full of endless possibilities. Jay’s heart swelled with pleasure, and a hint of melancholy, knowing that his condition might one day limit these precious adventures. For now, he revels in the moment, each hike a chapter in their unfolding story.
Years into the future, Jay imagines Millie at the age when she can fully appreciate the wisdom and tales he longs to impart. He envisions her as a young woman, cool grey eyes flashing bright with interest, and gentle heart open to the world. A halo of soft red curls dancing in the wind.Her sense of resolve being foremost in a confident demeanor. By then, his Parkinson’s might have advanced, making the rigorous hikes of today a dear memory. Yet, in his mind there is always now, and he crafts his letters and stories for her, weaving the threads of their experiences into a forever cuddle.
“Millie,” he would say in those future letters, “remember the time we stood at Munson Mountain, the wind whispering secrets only we could hear? Or the way the Okanagan Lake sparkled like a thousand diamonds just for us? Those moments are stamped in our soul for all time.”
Back in the present, they reached a lookout point where the valley spread beneath them, a montage of vineyards and orchards. Jay lifted Millie onto a rock, steadying her as she pointed eagerly at a distant sailboat. “Boat!” she called, her eyes wide. Jay laughed, the sound rich and warm, echoing across the landscape. “That’s right, Millie. A boat. One day, you’ll sail the world.”
In these quiet moments, Jay hoped that their hikes would be more than just physical journeys. He wished for them to become a bedrock of Millie’s childhood memories, a source of comfort and inspiration for the years ahead. As they started their descent, Jay whispered a silent prayer: to cherish each step, each laugh, and each precious moment they had together, building a gift of love and adventure that would endure, even when the hikes themselves could not…
Millie & Grampy Do Fun Stuff is the result of encouragement from family and friends to capture real moments in verse. I will be happy to blame/credit those same people for any strong response to the author’s work…and of course at this stage the work is still, as the lawyers in the family would say, in furtherance thereof. LOL.
Hi Robert, some weeks ago I sent you a mail telling you my method to improve my walking especially in ff times. Here is a short video showing me first walking without the music – then afterwards walking with music and demonstrates the magic of music for Parkinsons.
You can very well see in this video the result on my walking when I listen with concentration to the music. I would love other PD persons having problems with walking to have the same possibility of walking much better and for a Long time. The music has to be very Rhythmik with about 105 Beats per minute on the Metronom.
There is no medicine that can make me walk immediately – so I askmyself why nobody prescribes the Radetzky March to me ……….
What do you think about the result ?
Gerdi
This amazing video speaks for itself! Your video speaks to the reality of the magic of music for Parkinsons. This therapy is natural, safe, fun and a 100% effective solution. It is one of the best natural therapies available.
Music Facilitates Movement
Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation: One of the most well-researched areas of music therapy for Parkinson’s is the use of rhythmic auditory cues to help with motor control. Patients often experience a reduction in symptoms like bradykinesia (slowness of movement) and tremors when they move in synchrony with a steady beat. Rhythmic cues can help improve walking patterns, gait, and overall mobility.
Enhanced Gait and Posture: Music with a clear, steady rhythm can help improve walking speed, stride length, and posture. Patients with Parkinson’s often struggle with walking, and rhythmic cues can help them walk more smoothly and confidently.
Movement Initiation: People with Parkinson’s sometimes have difficulty initiating voluntary movement, a phenomenon known as “freezing.” Music and rhythm can help overcome this by providing an external cue that prompts movement.
How can I know what I need to do for myself to feel better?
Trust that your body knows what it needs to come
back into balance. I think there is a special skill
involved in being able to communicate with your
own body. The skill requires the ability to check in
regularly to see what your body needs.
I think it helps to think about what you can do
in the moment rather than trying to figure out
one single huge intervention that you can do
(such as visit clinic A or take supplement B or
see doctor C).
For example, let’s say you are in a stressful
situation. Your body will probably give out the
usual signals of stress. Symptoms will flare up
(such as more shaking, trembling, greater
rigidity or whatever.) Are you noticing?
This is your stage cue to reduce the stress
in the moment.
I think a key is first to make conscious the
usual reality that the underlying trigger for the
symptoms involves some combination of fear,
stress and trauma. It thus helps to begin watching
yourself closely and noticing when the stress
flares up. When you can monitor your stress
levels every moment, you can learn how to
get your body out of stress and into a more
balanced mode.
Alternatively, if you have having increased
symptoms, your body may be having problems
processing all the supplements and medications
you may be taking in conjunction with the food
you eat. You may feel sluggish or depressed.
When everything is combined together, the level
of toxins can begin to overwhelm your immune
system.
When your body gets overloaded with
substances it can not process (which can
include medications of one type or another
(toxins, pathogens, etc.) the immune system
crashes. Again, symptoms will get worse.
This is when the toxins begin to take their toll.
If this happens it would help to investigate
ways to detox your body.
So as to your question – How can I know what I need to do for myself
to feel better? Answer; Your body will tell you what it needs. The
symptoms are important signals. In the end,
it is all a question of inviting your body to
come back into balance moment to moment.
I have devoted the last two decades interviewing people with different backgrounds, different training, different approaches to treatment and different qualifications across the wide spectrum of medical specialties. What follows is summary of principles of recovery from Parkinsons I have identified.
Anyone, anywhere can employ therapies to get sustained relief from the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.
Many of the therapies that help are not intrusive.
Many are natural and safe.
Many are free.
Therapies that help other people may not necessarily offer you relief. Everyone is different.
Anyone who claims their therapy or treatment can help everyone with the symptoms of Parkinsons will not be able to justify their claim. Why? Because it can not be true. Any particular therapy may certainly help some people, but not everyone.
People who are on the road to recovery experiment. They try different therapies to discover what works for them.
It is highly unlikely that any single treatment or therapy can ever address all symptoms. A combination of therapies is needed.
Dopamine deficiency is a part of the big picture. Focus on bringing back on line all systems in the body – the immune system, the digestive system, the lymph system as well as the neurological system – and you will begin to feel better. Pouring more dopamine in your body can certainly help you feel better in the short run, but in the long run the root cause of the symptoms has not been addressed.
Trauma lies at the root of the symptoms.
Negative thought forms feed the symptoms.
Commitment and focus are needed to recover.
If you are not taking charge of your health care, you probably have an unconscious resistance to healing. Little progress will be made until you release resistance to healing.
These tried and true principles of recovery from Parkinsons mean that recovery does not have to be an impossible undertaking as you journey down the road to recovery.
“I want everyone to know that Iyengar Yoga offers
relief from Parkinsons Symptoms. I am 52
and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about 4-5 years ago. I do intensive Iyengar yoga (which is quite physical) and am fit and strong. I do two, 2 hour classes per week and home practice. I will be going on a 3 day retreat in a couple of weeks.”
“I couldn’t live without it. I haven’t had the need to increase my medication for a couple of years and rarely visit my neuro. I really believe that it has slowed down the progression of the disease. I think the word needs to be spread!”
Regards Deborah
How Iyengar Yoga Offers Relief from Parkinsons Symptoms
Iyengar Yoga, a form of Hatha Yoga, is known for its emphasis on precision, alignment, and the use of props (like blocks, straps, and blankets) to help individuals practice yoga safely and effectively. It can be especially beneficial for people with Parkinson’s disease, offering a range of benefits that can support physical, emotional, and neurological health.
1. Improves Flexibility and Mobility
Parkinson’s disease often leads to stiffness, rigidity, and reduced range of motion. The slow, deliberate movements in Iyengar Yoga can help to stretch and lengthen muscles, improve joint mobility, and reduce rigidity. The use of props helps make poses more accessible and allows individuals to deepen their stretches gradually.
2. Enhances Balance and Coordination
Parkinson’s disease commonly affects balance and coordination, increasing the risk of falls. Iyengar Yoga’s focus on alignment, posture, and stability helps develop better proprioception (the body’s sense of its position in space). Many of the poses help strengthen the legs, improve posture, and enhance balance, which can reduce the risk of falls and improve overall stability.
3. Increases Strength
Many Iyengar Yoga poses involve holding postures for extended periods, which helps to build strength, especially in the core, legs, and arms. Strengthening these areas can improve posture and support the body in daily movements, making it easier to manage some of the physical symptoms of Parkinson’s.
4. Promotes Breathing and Relaxation
Parkinson’s can affect respiratory function, leading to shallow breathing or difficulty with breath control. Iyengar Yoga emphasizes breath awareness (pranayama) as a central part of the practice, which helps regulate the breath and reduce tension in the body. Learning to use the breath effectively can also reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, which is helpful for managing the emotional and psychological challenges of Parkinson’s.
5. Encourages Mental Focus and Mindfulness
Parkinson’s often comes with cognitive challenges, such as difficulty with concentration or executive function. Iyengar Yoga encourages mental clarity and mindfulness through the practice of holding postures and focusing on breath and alignment. This form of yoga can help improve cognitive function and promote a sense of mental calm and clarity.
6. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
The emphasis on mindfulness and breathwork in Iyengar Yoga can help reduce stress, anxiety, and the emotional strain that often accompanies chronic conditions like Parkinson’s. The slower, meditative nature of the practice can foster a sense of calm and mental ease, which can be therapeutic for people with Parkinson’s.
7. Improves Posture and Gait
Parkinson’s disease often leads to a stooped posture and shuffling gait. Iyengar Yoga’s focus on alignment and spinal health can help improve posture, make standing and walking easier, and promote more fluid movement. By practicing specific postures that align and lengthen the spine, individuals can experience improved posture and more confident, efficient movement.
My thanks to Deborah for spreading the good news that
Iyengar Yoga offers relief from Parkinsons symptoms.
The Ayurvedic approach for eliminating heavy metals and toxins from the body is to support the organ that does the proper work in the first place. The following is taken from an interview I recently had with Nathan who is a strong believer in the Ayurveda for Parkinsons approach to eliminate toxins from the body.
“When a person is ill their breath can become sort of foul. But that is not the case when they are healthy. Similarly, what we are talking about here is that some organ is not producing healthy elements that are supposed to be transferred to the brain.”
“The brain is supposed to be filled with nutritious, beneficial gasses. Those gases can become polluted due to stress or injury.”
“The organ producing them will produce contaminated substances which then go on to cause a great deal of difficulty in the form of shaking because the corrosive material starts eating away at the part of the brain that produces movement and starts creating involuntary ones.”
“Most doctors would not agree that the problem is in the stomach. From the Ayurvedic
perspective, all diseases originate in the stomach.”
I should also mention that Nathan once suffered from an advanced stage of Parkinsons but is symptom free today. Ayurveda for Parkinsons certainly worked wonders for him. Nathan is one of the contributors to the first edition of Pioneers of Recovery.
In Ayurveda a degeneration of nerve cells is viewed as a disturbance in the body’s subtle energy system, leading to issues like tremors, stiffness, and instability.
A balanced diet is essential in Ayurveda for managing neurological health.
Warm, easily digestible foods: Emphasis on warm, cooked foods like soups, stews, and porridges, which are easier to digest and help balance the Vata dosha.
Incorporation of healthy fats: Ghee (clarified butter), sesame oil, and coconut oil are recommended to lubricate the body and calm the dryness associated with Vata.
Anti-inflammatory foods: Foods like turmeric, ginger, and garlic, which have natural anti-inflammatory properties, can help reduce overall inflammation.
Hydration: Drinking warm water or herbal teas throughout the day helps to hydrate the body and keep the nervous system nourished.
Dr. Rodgers: I was interested in your suggestion that Parkinson’s is not caused by a lack of dopamine but due to adrenaline, toxic and stress problems. Can I stop taking Sinemet to Pursue Natural Therapies?
First let me emphasize I am not a medical doctor. You will need to consult with your medical doctor about any changes in your medications or doses.
The issue I raise is to explore the reasons for a dopamine depletion. If caused primarily by anxiety, then getting anxiety attacks under control will go a long way toward reducing the need for a medication or dopamine supplement.
You do not mention if you have celebrated any improvement after taking Sinemet. The most common reports of improvement are a reductions in anxiety and muscle pain, improvements in sleep and better energy. Have you experienced any of these welcome outcomes from taking the medications? They certainly do offer benefits to many.
You ask: Can I Stop Taking Sinemet to Pursue Natural Therapies? There can be serious consequences if you stop taking your medications abruptly. The addictive properties to some medications for Parkinson’s make it particularly difficult – and even dangerous – to stop taking them cold turkey.
I have heard sad reports from people who tried to go off of their medications cold turkey. These reports say that people have found themselves in the unfortunate situation of having to go back on their medications at an even higher dose – sometimes twice as high – when compared to the dose they were taking the day they tried to quit.
The decision to wean yourself off of your medications is a serious one. Be sure to consult with your doctor if you consider doing something like this. Some people are able to successfully reduce the dose they take. In these cases the reduction is gradual and, again, conducted only with the close supervision of their doctor.
In addition to working with your doctor about medications and supplements, begin investigating the cause of your symptoms. There are many possible causes (toxins, trauma, stress, infections to name a few). Many people celebrate relief from symptoms while identifying and addressing the cause (or causes). The two together can be a winning combination especially when the medications offer symptom relief even if temporary.
What we put into our bodies is the most important
factor in finding relief from the symptoms
of Parkinsons. It is no secret that sugar is not good for
our bodies, right?
Sugar is a neurotoxin. You know this. I know this.
Everyone knows this.
Do you ever eat sugar? You can not see me now, but
I am raising my hand at the moment. I eat sugar
sometimes. OK. Sometimes I eat too much sugar.
Why? I am filling a hole deep inside. I can’t get enough.
You know the list. Whatever.
No matter how much work I do “on myself” I still
eat sugar. So, if I come to the realization that my
preference for sweets will not abate anytime soon,
what can I do about it?
There are alternatives to sugar. Why not investigate
the alternatives that can be used in place of using raw cane
sugar. Then start using an alternative to pure sugar
that is right for you?
Know in advance that you may not be able to
tolerate one or more of the alternatives. That is,
the alternative may be worse for you than raw sugar
itself. But why not celebrate in advance
how much your body will thank you if you can find
a natural and safe substitute for sugar that your
body can tolerate?
Four natural substitutes for sugar are
agave, stevia, xylitol and monk fruit. What follows is a sketch of
information about each of the four alternatives.
Agave
Agave syrup is a sweetener commercially produced
in Mexico. Agave syrup is sweeter than honey,
though less viscous. It consists primarily of fructose
and glucose.
Agave has a fructose content that is higher than is found
in high-fructose corn syrup. Agave is notable in that its
glycemic index and glycemic load are seemingly lower than
most other natural sweetener alternatives.
Stevia
Stevia is native to subtropical and tropical South America
and Central America. Known as Sweetleaf, stevia is
used as a sugar substitute. The taste has a
longer duration than that of pure sugar. Stevia however
can be associated with a bitter after taste at high
concentrations.
Xylitol
Xylitol sounds like an expensive prescription
medication, but it is not. It is a five-carbon sugar
alcohol that is used as a sugar substitute.
Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener that can
be found in the fibers of fruits and vegetables such as
berries, corn husks, oats, and even mushrooms.
It is extracted from corn fibers, birch trees, raspberries,
plums, and even corn. Xylitol is by all accounts as sweet
as regular sugar.
Xylitol has been around a long time. It is used as
a sweetener for diabetics in some countries and it
is used in various products like gums and toothpaste
to reduce tooth decay.
Monk Fruit
Monk fruit is a small, green fruit native to southern China
and northern Thailand. It is a natural sweetener because it
contains mogrosides, compounds that are intensely sweet
but contain little to no calories or sugar.
Monk fruit is about 150 to 250 times sweeter than sugar,
meaning only a small amount is needed to achieve the
desired sweetness. Its sweetness comes from the mogrosides,
which are heat-stable and not metabolized by the body, s
o they don’t contribute calories or spike blood sugar levels.
Summary
Check out the possibilities. Do an extended search on
the internet for more information. Talk with your doctor.
Experiment.
You can buy xylitol, stevia, agave and monk fruit from most
health food stores, food co-ops and even some grocery
stores.
I think a safe and natural food sweetener is a delightful
choice for people like myself who love to eat a yummy
dessert every now and then. If you are like me, consider
a switch from sugar to a natural substitute.
There is no direct research evidence to indicate that using
alternatives to sugar will help relieve the symptoms of
Parkinson’s. Base on pure logic, it makes sense to me that
using any of the four natural substitutes for sugar has the potential to
help unclog neural pathways.
PADs for Parkinson’s is the only nonprofit organization in North America dedicated to the training of dogs for the detection of Parkinson’s Disease. Today, PADs supports and maintains 18 dogs in the program ranging from Poodles to Pomeranians. Schnauzers to Shepherds. Herding to Hunting. All with the amazing ability to sniff out an odor molecule among hundreds of thousand of organic compounds.
PADs has been training dogs for Parkinson’s detection since early 2016. Just four months after the discovery of an odor associated with Parkinson’s Disease. The PADs training facility is located in the Northwest on San Juan Island. You can visit PADs online at padsforparkinsons.org
I have a concern with excessive weight loss over a long period of time. Believe me when I say that I eat like a hungry farm animal. Even so, I am 20 pounds under my normal weight of 160. I am also experiencing weakness in my legs mostly in the hamstring muscle group.
Have you come across ways in which people have found an antidote to excessive weight loss whether it be a product like an enzyme for better food absorption, or foods/food supplements that have proven to add muscle mass? Is it mainly a protein deficiency or can fat absorption be part of the issue too? Am I eating foods that I should stay away from? What have you learned from folks who have been able to add weight and gain strength too?
Here is my typical diet:
Breakfast: Mung beans with either quinoa, millet, or wild rice with celtic sea salt and coconut oil.Eggs with gluten free rice flour bread
Lunch: Usually lunch meat consisting of turkey, ham, roast beef on the rice bread or alone. Sometimes a meat or turkey burger – The mung bean/ grain option
Dinner: A protein of fish, fowl , beef or lamb with any number of steamed vegetables. Occasionally rice or white potatoes.
Other options during the day or night might be hemp protein, chlorella, spirulina, Green Vibrance, shake. An assortment of fruits usually apples, oranges, bananas, peaches, berries. Almonds and wall nuts also.
Oils: high quality fermented cocoanut oil, some salmon oil too. Very little of any other kind.
Probably eat too much sugar in the form of gluten free cookies, poured honey over almonds, wall nuts, toast, or rice crackers. I will dip into the organic berry jellies a bit. I am not sure if I am overdoing it. Beer and wine in social situations are a possible concern too.
Thank you
Kevin
Keep in mind that I am not a medical doctor so anything I might suggest about excessive weight loss is purely from a research perspective. I have several lines of investigation you might want to pursue:
First, your diet is awesome. Your body loves everything you are eating. You might consider using red potatoes rather than white.
Second, The high energy in the nutritious foods you are eating is clearly not being absorbed by your digestive system. You do not mention probiotics which are essential requirement for a healthy digestive system. These are the “good” bacteria that your digestive system needs to perform its function. There are many different types of probiotics. Do some research here and see what your intuition guides you to do.
Third, I do not see many fats listed. Listen to my radio show with naturopath John Briggs. He provides an excellent overview that explains the challenges you currently confront.
You also need fat in your diet. Myelin sheaths which provide insulation for the neurons need fat to remain vibrant.
Fourth – and this may be a key – you may have an infestation of candida (yeast) infection. Candida gobble up sugar and create digestive issues in the body. Candida drive us to eat a lot of sugar which is their lifeline.
Lidia Epp resolved her own neurological symptoms by eliminating the overabundance of candida in her body. Candida is not necessarily just found in the digestive system. It leaks out into all the tissues and cells of the body (including the neurons).
Fifth, your output of energy is greater than the input (provided through food). It is likely that the mitochondria (at the cellular level) are compromised. You might consider giving them a little extra boast through a supplement called ribose. This might be something your could discuss with your doctor.
These are a few new areas to investigate to address your excessive weight loss. Speaking purely as a researcher l would look outside your diet as the source of the weight loss and muscle atrophy.
