Category Archives: Stress and Parkinsons

Methods to Reduce Stress

Stress and Parkinsons

I would like to tell you that I believe you have a valid thought in suggesting that STRESS may be a reason for contracting the disease. I need to learn all about methods to reduce stress.

While I have wondered for the past 4 months whether the tremors I experienced might be the early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, seeing my family doctor today and having her refer me to a neurologist has finally given me the courage to read up on this horrible disease. Among other web pages, I found yours.

Almost a year ago I signed up for internet marketing coaching. I set up a LLC and paid close to $15,000.00. It did not take long for me to realize that I had been badly scammed  Still, having spent the money I wanted to give this my very best effort. This, on top of fighting with my recruiters and coaching company plus trying to stop these people from scamming other innocents and basically getting nowhere has brought on my symptoms.

I am a 71 year old female. The reason I dared take on the online marketing was that I have always been super healthy.

Not anymore.

Lis

Stress is directly connected to the symptoms of Parkinson’s. When relaxed and care free, symptoms are minimal or nonexistent.

There are a variety of methods to reduce stress that I have found useful. The best way to approach the goal is on a moment to moment basis.

1. Exercise. Many people tell me that when they feel anxious or are worried, exercise does the trick beautifully.

2. Meditate. Be quite and still for a minute. Focus on your breath. I am not talking here about a big deal. One minute will do during the moment when you need it. I have just finished a series of interviews with people who are experts on meditation for a book with Nancy Welch, Medicine Meditation.

There are many different approaches to meditation. The trick is to find an approach that works for you. Regardless of the method you are drawn to, the idea behind meditation is to still the mind babble which aggravates and inflames the stress.

3. Laugh. This is a simple suggestion, but it works.Laughing out loud gives an immediate dopamine rush. That is pretty cool if you ask me.

The irony is that you do not even have to think a joke is funny. Laugh out loud and you will get an immediate dopamine rush. The only side effect to laughter is improved health on some level.

4. Try holysnc (which is available from a variety of sources). Listen to the guided meditation by visiting the Monroe Institute website.

This method was created 100 years ago by Robert Monroe. It consists of sounds that have slightly different frequencies which are sent to the two sides of the brain through headphones.

I personally used this technology for about two years. I listened to tapes for about 30 minutes a day. Very gradually, the little things that stressed me out no longer had any impact whatsoever. I would listen for about a minute and instantly be asleep.

5. Get body work. Cranial sacral body work or energy work can be extremely helpful. There are physical blockages which twist and contort the body’s tissues that are released and removed through gentle body work. Everyone has blockages to one degree or another. Everyone in a body (and that includes all of us) should consider getting body work of one form or another.

I have used many different forms of body work for myself – energy healing, cranial sacral therapy, reiki, healing touch. zen massage, Bowen therapy. I recommend you try some of these wonderful techniques out and see which one your body likes the best.

6. My concluding suggestion is to acknowledge that many stresses are external to us. We are impacted by our parents or children or spouses or partners or money or jobs or the world condition or the economy – you name it. When I feel the external world invading my internal space, I have a mantra which helps me.

“I honor the fate of [my child, my parents, etc.] What do I need now?”

The mantra instantly connects me to myself rather than responding to other external issues. Worrying about other people’s issues is a cleaver way for me to avoid a connection with myself. When I ask myself the question,

“Why I am here on the earth?

Much of the stress I carry is instantly released.

Combine these methods to reduce stress and  get an even bigger result.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© Parkinsons Recovery

Shut Down Anxiety

anxiety attacks, Stress and Parkinsons

Everyone who experiences the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is well aware that anxiety fuels their symptoms. When stress is brought under control and you shut down anxiety, symptoms become far less problematic.

Everyone also knows that medicines and supplements have the potential to suppress symptoms in the short run. Unfortunately, they offer little promise of long lasting effectiveness. What in the world can deliver on this promise? Are there any natural solutions out there?

My answer is yes. A wide variety of very effective methods to calm anxiety exist. They are previewed one by one in the Parkinsons Recovery online course listed below. Classes are rolled out over a three month period. Click the link below to register.

Shut Down Anxiety Course Registration
Tuition $90
$30 each month for 3 months

My online course introduces methods, strategies and techniques that have been shown to quiet down and calm 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..

There is no doubt that using these techniques provides relief from anxiety. Every little bit of help counts for something.

  • The content of my  course introduces natural, self administered therapies and techniques that achieve relief that is long lasting rather than temporary.
  • It focuses on ways that cut to the core of shutting down what drives you crazy with relentless anxiety.
  • A bonus of the course is a download of my book Seven Secrets to Healing which covers the basics for how healing occurs from the inside out.

What sustains and inflames anxiety is unresolved trauma whether physical, mental or emotional. None of us can ever change or erase traumas of the past. Sometimes it is impossible to know why we are so anxious all the time.

Techniques and therapies will be covered in the course which bring to the surface the underlying sources of anxiety that are entirely unknown and release their grip on us. These  highly effective methods make it possible to release, remove and detach their debilitating impact. A welcome relief from symptoms follows.

Course participants can connect to the online course platform any time of the day or night using their phones or computers to get all of questions answered about any of the methods, ideas and techniques I will discuss.

I am personally available as your instructor to answer any questions that come up. Click the link below to register.

Shut Down Anxiety Course Registration
Tuition $90
$30 Each Month for 3 Months

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
https://www.parkinsonsdisease.me
877-526-4646
robert@parkinsonsrecovery.com

 

 

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

 

Overwhelmed and Overstimulated

overwhelmed and overstimulated, Parkinsons Disease Information, Stress and Parkinsons

Overwhelmed and Overstimulated?

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s not uncommon to be overwhelmed and overstimulated. With a barrage of options to consider it is easy to get caught up in the chaos. I have a suggested for you in the video. There are other strategies you can use to regain control and find a sense of balance. Let’s explore what these feelings mean and how to manage them effectively.

Understanding what it means to be Overwhelmed and Overstimulated

So overwhelmed you are stuck in a hole?Overwhelm occurs when the demands on your time, energy, or emotions exceed your capacity to handle them. This can be triggered by work pressures, personal responsibilities, or a combination of both. The result is often a feeling of being stuck, helpless, or incapable of managing your tasks.

Overstimulation, on the other hand, refers to being bombarded with too much sensory input—whether it’s through digital media, noisy environments, or excessive social interactions. This sensory overload can lead to fatigue, irritability, and difficulty focusing.

The Impact on Mental Health

Being both overwhelmed and overstimulated has significant effects on mental health. They can contribute to anxiety, depression, and burnout. When you’re constantly in a state of stress, your body remains in a heightened state of alertness, which can affect your overall well-being.

Strategies to Combat Overwhelm and Overstimulation

1. Prioritize and Organize

Start by listing your tasks and responsibilities. Use a prioritization method like the Eisenhower Matrix to distinguish between what’s urgent and important versus what can be delegated or postponed. Breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable steps can also make them seem less daunting.

2. Set Boundaries

Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Set specific times to check emails or work on projects and stick to them. Communicate these boundaries to colleagues and family members to help manage their expectations.

3. Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

Incorporate mindfulness practices like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga into your daily routine. These techniques can help calm your mind, reduce stress, and improve your focus.

4. Limit Exposure to Sensory Overload

Be mindful of your sensory environment. Limit screen time, especially on social media, and take regular breaks from technology. Create a calming space at home or work where you can retreat to when feeling overwhelmed.

5. Engage in Physical Activity

Exercise is a powerful tool for managing stress and improving mood. Whether it’s a brisk walk, a workout session, or a relaxing stretch, physical activity can help clear your mind and boost your energy levels.

6. Seek Support

Don’t hesitate to reach out for support if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Talking to friends, family, or a mental health professional can provide relief and offer new perspectives on managing stress.

7. Practice Self-Care

Make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Whether it’s reading a book, taking a bath, or enjoying a hobby, self-care is crucial for maintaining mental and emotional health.

Finding Your Balance

Finding balance in a hectic world requires intentional effort and self-awareness. By understanding what triggers your feelings of overwhelm and overstimulation, and implementing strategies to address them, you can create a more manageable and fulfilling life.

Remember, it’s okay to take a step back and reassess your priorities. Embrace the process of finding what works best for you and make adjustments as needed. Balance is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing journey of self-care and adaptation.

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

Halt Anxiety with Proven Techniques

anxiety attacks, Parkinsons Disease Information, Stress and Parkinsons

When anxiety flares up, symptoms always get worse. One of the best ways to sooth symptoms is to identify ways to get anxiety under control in the moment. This shifts the focus away from ways to suppress symptoms temporarily and embrace ways to reverse symptoms when they are most problematic.    

I document proven techniques to Halt  Anxiety in a book that is available as a download and as a paperback. This has been a work in progress for many months which is at long last complete.

My book introduces simple techniques that calm anxiety and reduce stress when they are most needed. The techniques:

  • Are simple to implement
  • Can be accessed anywhere, anytime in any situation.
  • Cost nothing
  • Reduce anxiety
  • Calm stress 
  • Help reduce the severity of symptoms

Click below to order the download of Halt Anxiety which will be sent immediately to your computer or phone.

Download of Halt Anxiety
8.88

Click the book cover below to order the paperback ($10):

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery 
Olympia Washington
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease|
https://www.parkinsonsdisease.me
877-526-4646

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Solutions for Parkinsons Symptoms

alternative therapies, anxiety attacks, balance problems, Beliefs and Parkinson's, body work, calm tremors, causes of Parkinson's, constipation, Exercise and Parkinson's, freezing, gait issues, Healing Parkinsons from the Inside Out, improve balance, Natural Remedies Parkinsons treatment, Natural Therapies, panic attacks, recovery, side effects of medications, Stress and Parkinsons, vitamin D3

On Parkinsons Recovery Radio today. Fred Phillips offered his insights into how he gets immediate relief from a variety of his Parkinson’s symptoms. His solutions for Parkinson’s symptoms are novel and profound. Do you ever have difficulty when walking with:

  • Freezing?
  • Standing up?
  • Shuffling?
  • Slowness?
  • Leg Cramps?

If so, I strongly recommend that You listen to my interview with Fred today. Click the arrow below to hear the replay. Fred has discovered some powerful, yet simple solutions to these
symptoms that have helped him enormously.

One of now over 70 pioneers of recovery I have hosted on Parkinsons Recovery radio, Fred also previews his 10 step protocol for recovery.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease

 

 

 

How Long Does Recovery from Parkinson’s Disease Take

anxiety attacks, Parkinsons Disease Information, recovery, Stress and Parkinsons
  • What is the bottom line to recovery from Parkinson’s disease?
  • What is the secret to making recovery from Parkinson’s disease happen?

Most people hold near and dear to their heart the beliefs that recovery has to …

  • Take years to unfold
  • Requires medications and supplements
  • Happens for only a select few
  • Involves expensive therapies
  • Happens only when you find the right therapist, health care practitioner or doctor who has the secret answer to recovery
  • Calls for outside interventions of one form or another

I used to believe all of this was true. Not today. I hold a much different belief that recovery is possible for

  • Anyone
  • Anywhere
  • Anytime

Anytime Can Mean Starting Today

Why do I embrace this seemingly outrageous belief?

Naturopath John Coleman ND discusses the ups and downs of his own recovery from Parkinson’s disease in this clip of my interview with him.

Many people who experience symptoms of Parkinsons have told me about unexpected blocks of time (a few minutes, hours, days) when their symptoms disappeared completely.

Surprisingly. these accounts more often than not involve situations which cannot be explained by taking (or not taking) medications or supplements or turning on or off a DBS battery connection.  

Is this a familiar circumstance for you? Have you celebrated the quieting of symptoms unexpectedly? If it has ever happened once for you, I believe it can happen all the time.

What usually happens in when symptoms are unexpectedly quieted?

Our own thoughts are our undoing. The thinking process is something like:

  • Wow. I feel great. I feel normal.
  • Wait. this is not supposed to happen.
  • I have Parkinsons Disease. I am supposed to get worse, not better.
  • It feels a bit strange to feel so good.
  • I do not deserve to feel so damn good.
  • When any minor evidence of a symptoms resurfaces the thought is: Oh right. There it is again. I know I will never be rid of this. I might as well get used to it.
  • Fear sizzles throughout the cells of the body

Almost all success stories involve people who have found ways to acknowledge when …

  • Fear rears its ugly head
  • Anxiety soars
  • Stress sizzles
  • Worries rattle over and over in our mind

And

Once fears, anxieties, stresses and worries are recognized, any and all unwanted feelings are quieted and calmed, allowing the physical body to return to a state of balance and harmony.

The answer lies entirely within your ability to recognize and release stress and anxiety in the moment. In other words, you can make it happen for yourself now. This put you…

In full control over your recovery

What are the triggers in your life? What sets you off? A wide variety of stimuli can “set us off” into a spiral. The possibilities of triggers are endless.

  • Smells?
  • People?
  • Strangers who look like certain people?
  • Noises?
  • Colors?
  • Shapes?
  • Words other people use?
  • Memories?
  • Touching of one type or another?
  • Invasive actions by others?
  • People who want to control you?
  • Thoughts about the future?
  • Frets about the past?

You may never intellectually understand why any of the above sets you off and inflames fear and/or anxiety. It just does. End of story.

I believe the answer is not to attempt to sort through the reasons why (something like the smell of a certain perfume sets you off,  but to recognize what you get upset and immediately Change the Channel

It is like you are watching a movie that is upsetting you so what do you do?

  1. You immediately stop watching the bad movie.
  2. Then you change the channel to something that is pleasing to your soul.

When stress is dissolved, symptoms immediately dissolve like an ice cream cone melting in the hot summer sun. Set the intention to make it so with each and every moment of your life from henceforth.

The best deal of becoming aware of your wanted reactions each and every moment and quieting them in the moment they flare is that the therapy is entirely free!

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease

 

 

Cause of Parkinson’s Symptoms

Stress and Parkinsons, sugar cravings

The cause of Parkinson’s symptoms seems to be varied. As you say, what works for one doesn’t always work for everyone.

There is an American site www.23andme.com Their focus is on DNA of PD suffers and I have given them my DNA. They have all sorts of questionnaires, the only common denominator they have found so far is not based on DNA of the people they have sampled. What they have found so far is that PD people don’t like sky diving and they like sweet things. To my mind sky diving = stress (stress hormone) and sweet things = sugar.

My PD symptoms came after I had a car accident. I wasn’t physically injured but was badly shaken. I had been working 12 hour day and night shifts for 5.5 years prior to the accident. Frankly, I was physically exhausted at that time. I have a sweet tooth as well. So there are the two components “stress” and “sugar”. For me, the other one could be “protein” as it blocks my PD medication.

So the stress hormone, sugar and protein are factors in my case. The answer may be in there somewhere.

Ross

Stress and Parkinson’s Disease

medications, Meditation, mindfulness, Stress and Parkinsons

It is well known that stress has a direct and profound impact on the symptoms that are associated with Parkinson’s Disease. The connection is immediate. When you are stressed symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease will inevitably flare up.

Without stress, the symptoms of Parkinson’s have a terribly difficult time showing up. How can you reduce the stresses in your daily life? One profound, natural and effective approach for reducing stress is to become more mindful and present to the each and every moment.

I must confess I did not have a clue how to become more mindful until I began a project in collaboration with Nancy Welch several years ago. Nancy, a psychotherapist and expert on Mindfulness as well as chronic illness, and I conducted interviews with national experts on mindfulness during 2010. Their wisdom is now captured in Nancy’s new book, Medicine and Meditation, which has just been released as a paper back and a download to your computer.

Nancy Welch’s new book is entitled: Medicine and Meditation, Conversations on Mindfulness in the Management of Chronic Pain and Illness is a true gem. Some of you may have listened to some of these interviews when they were aired live. Her new book explains in detail how we all can become more mindful which reduces stress and invites our hormones to come back into balance. I believe the potential for reversing the symptoms of Parkinson’s is significant when mindfulness is practiced. .

The print book is $14.99 and the download is $9.99. For further information and to order, visit:

www.medicinemeditation.com

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
www.pioneersofrecovery.com

How Can Toxins or Stress Be Removed?

Parkinsons treatments, recovery, Stress and Parkinsons, Toxins in the Body

How can toxins or stress be removed if it’s trapped at a cell level?

Gino

This is certainly an important question. There are a wide variety of detox methods that remove toxins and a wide selection of approaches that assist the body with releasing trauma.No gold standard exists for either because everyone’s body is different.

Many people discover that one therapy will work for a while. Then, they have to switch off to another in order to continue the recovery process. Different methods are successful at different points in the recovery process.

One of the reasons I air the radio show is to offer a wide variety of choices you can consider. Whether my guest is a health care practitioner or a person who currently experiences the symptoms of Parkinson’s, they usually tap into their approach for detoxing and de-stressing. People with the symptoms of Parkinson’s talk about what therapies are working for them. It doesn’t mean it will work for you – but it is a starting place.

I am guessing you were hoping for a much more simplistic answer to your question – how can toxins or stress be removed? Perhaps a few websites to visit? There are not just a few. There are hundreds. There are hundreds of resources out there for you to pick and choose from.

The most important step is to begin taking action now. Initiate your own exploration. Call or e mail some of my radio show guests. Get more information. See what calls out to you.

You really can’t go wrong. Most of the therapies people find are the most helpful are safe, non-intrusive and effective. The only side effect is improved health on some level.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

 

 

Stress and Parkinson’s Disease

hypnosis, recovery, Stress and Parkinsons

I am in England and have been reading your messages for a while and they are a great help to me. I was diagnosed last year but have steadfastly refused to accept anything other than that I am going to get better eventually.

I think my problem has been great stress over a long period of time starting with the way my mother treated me. I went to a dowser who suggested I needed to remodel the way my unconscious mind works. I have been having hypnotherapy for about 2 months but have not finished yet. However I already feel I am improving. It is difficult for me to assess because in the middle I decided I needed a kick start to make me feel better so I could build on something so  I have been taking Amantadine for about 6 weeks – I think I am still seeing gradual improvement. I also take various supplements. I haven’t yet asked my body what it needs but I will be putting it to the test.

Anyway I just wanted to say thanks for all the e-mails – I look forward to them.

Annie

Parkinson’s and Stress

breathwork, craniosacral therapy, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), essential oils, Natural Remedies Parkinsons treatment, Parkinsons treatments, Stress and Parkinsons

I was diagnosed with PD 8 years ago. I completely agree that
the major cause is related to stress and stress hormones.
Dealing with Parkinson’s and stress is the key.

Can the body be convinced to produce dopamine after its total
depletion?

Has any body been convinced and by what means?

I would be grateful to receive some help and advice for myself
and other PD sufferers in Lithuania.

Responses

Here are my responses to your questions in the
order they have been asked:

Can the body be convinced to produce dopamine after its total
depletion?

I believe the body can always heal itself when given the
proper support and nutrition. Yes, the body does
know how to heal itself. It just needs a little help
from time to time re-remembering how.

I am well aware that most medical professionals frame the
the cause of Parkinson’s solely in terms of a dopamine
deficiency. If there is a severe head injury this is
probably a meaningful and useful frame of the problem.
But for a vast majority of people with the symptoms of
Parkinson’s, the problem is far more complicated
than a simple deficiency of dopamine. There are over
40 hormones in the body which are out of balance.
Dopamine is only one among these 40 interrelated
hormones that are out of balance.

Has any body been convinced and by what means?

The good news here is yes! Some people are symptom free
today. Many people are finding good relief by a wide variety
of modalities and approaches.

I have learned that there is considerable variation in what
works for people when it comes to addressing Parkinson’s
and stress..There is no universal list of things you
can do that will guarantee that you will feel better. It really
depends on the specific factors that happen to be causing your
symptoms.

I have spent the past year interviewing people who have
fully recovered or who are finding ways to get
relief from their symptoms. I will soon be launching a
Parkinsons Recovery member website where all of this
incredibly fascinating information will be posted.

I would be grateful to receive some help and advice for myself
and other PD sufferers in Lithuania.

There are a wide variety of natural methods you can
use to get relief from the effects of stress. The idea
behind all of these methods is to release fear that is trapped
at the cellular level so our bodies can produce neurotransmitters
and reduce the production of stress hormones. Strategies that
are useful on a daily basis are:

Meditation
Relaxation
Walking
Sitting
Dreaming
Singing
Sleeping
Listening to music

Body therapies are also useful in this regard.
If you click on the link below, do a search
for craniosacral therapists in Lithuania. Three were
listed when I did the search, though only one had
contact information.

https://www.iahp.com/pages/search/index.php

Essential oils can be very effective, as can Emotional
Freedom Technique (EFT). I will soon be posting an interview with
an aroma therapist who explains how essential oils can
provide great release from the effects of stress. I recently
wrote a newsletter with a link showing the effects of
EFT on veterans of war.

Breathwork can also be very powerful. This involves continuous
breathing (in and out) for a period of 5 minutes or longer.
We bury the effects of stress on our bodies by not breathing.
When we do breathwork, we release the effects of stress that
has been trapped in our bodies, sometimes for decades.

These are just a few of the approaches that you can do
yourself. They are safe and noninvasive.

With a little experimentation, you should be able to
discover the methods, techniques, therapies and modalities
that work for you. Use them daily and you will gradually
see relief from your symptoms.

The true cause of the hormonal imbalance in
Parkinson’s lies with an overabundance of stress hormones:
It obviously will take time to convince the body otherwise
-to produce dopamine.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© 2024 Parkinsons Recovery

Living Well With Parkinsons

How to produce dopamine, Parkinson's nutrition, Parkinsons, Stress and Parkinsons, Trauma and Parkinsons

Do external interventions (supplements,
massage, cranial sacral therapy, body
work, etc.) undermine the body’s ability
to function? How does one go about living
well with Parkinsons?

These questions hinge on the very essence
of healing. What can we do to support the
body’s natural ability to heal itself and
what are we doing to undermine it?

The answer is tied to identifying what we
need to  heal. A bare bones answer is:
nourishment, touching, connection
with others, feeling of safety, sense of
accomplishment and belonging.

The body needs a well established
group of vitamins mineral and
nutrients. Without them our cells
die and our energy depletes. They make
Living well with Parkinsons a reality.
If we are deficient in any one of the essential
nutrients, our bodies let us know
they are unhappy with troublesome symptoms.

Vitamin B6. For example, the body
is not designed to manufacture Vitamin
B6 internally. If it has a vitamin B6
deficiency, the body will enthusiastically
welcome a B6 supplement. B6 supports
the body’s natural ability to balance
hormones.

Stress. We need to feel safe and secure in
the world. If we are spinning about
in fear all the time, our bodies pump
out adrenaline continuously which
alters the balance of hormones.

Any intervention that invites a release
of stress and trauma from the tissues
of the body (e.g: medication, centered
prayer, energy healing) supports the
body’s natural capacity to heal.
Releasing fear and trauma re-establishes
a sense that it is safe to be here on the
earth.

Toxin Removal. Interventions that help
the body release toxins and pathogens
are always welcome. They unclog
obstructions in the neural pathways and
cleanse the waste that has been trapped at
the cellular level and that is lodged in the
digestive track, liver, kidneys and spleen.

Co Q10.The body can become confused
about interventions that override one or more
of its primary responsibilities. Consider
one example: Co Q10. The body manufactures
CoQ10 on its own. Research on Parkinson’s has
suggested that some people with Parkinson’s may
have Co Q10 deficiencies. The idea here is to
put Co Q10 directly into the body.

This may very well be a wonderful and very
smart thing to do. You may feel a lot better
because of it.But a possible and logical
consequence is for the body to ever so
gradually disassemble its ability to produce
Co q10 on its own steam.

When a manufacturing production line is
closed down, it takes a great deal of effort
to bring it back on line. Isn’t this also
what happens with skills that we develop?
If we do not use them, we gradually
lose them.

Another way to approach a
Co q10 deficiency is to give
the body Vitamin C. If the body
has sufficient quantities of vitamin C,
it has a much better chance of
being able to produce Co Q10 on
its own – no supplement needed.

Dopamine. Let’s cut to the quick and address
dopamine. Prescription medications have saved
some people’s lives. Sometimes
it is the best choice a person can make.

I do not think the important question
is whether to begin taking prescription
medications or not. Nor is the important
choice whether to take prescription
medications or  herbs substitutes
for dopamine. The key question turns on
a commitment to support your body with
the nutrients it needs to heal

Support for Living.

I believe the most important
choice is to do everything necessary
to bring all systems of the body back
on line. The systems need to be readied
for a marathon. If you have symptoms
that are troublesome it is a sign that
one or more systems in your body
are limping along.

I believe a plan that works well for the body
is to work on strengthening all of the basic
building blocks of the body to make living well
with Parkinsons a reality. They consist of …

  • eating well (which means fresh food)Â
  • eliminating toxins
  • eliminating pathogens (including bacteria and viruses)
  • releasing trauma
  • strengthening the immune system
  • moving lymph out of the body through exercise
  • having fun
  • laughing
  • challenging your mind

It may be the case that to do justice to
everything on the list every day, certain
hormonal deficiencies will need to be
supplemented: Perhaps dopamine,
perhaps co Q10 or whatever. This of
course is what medical doctors are trained
to help with.

As long as you focus on bringing
all of the systems and organs in your
body back on line, your body will reach
a point when it will be able to
manufacture most – if not all – of the
essential hormones you need without
any outside intervention. Then again,
sometimes infusions of certain
hormones are needed over the long
term.

The best intent is to support
the body so that it can do as much
work in producing the hormones
itself as possible. Set a new vision
of the future for yourself. Consider
the possibility that instead of having
to take more and more medication
or supplements in the future, you
will be able to gradually and ever
so gently be able to maintain or
even reduce the dose of your
current medications.

Why is that? Because all of the organs
systems in your body are now healthy
so there is enough energy and resources
to manufacture the hormones your
body needs. Sure it takes time to bring
every system back on line. Who is in
a big rush here?

Remember that any changes you
make to the dose and/or timing of
your medications should only be
taken in close consultation with
your doctor.

I am fully aware than most people
wind up taking more medications
over time. I would like to consider
a different future to manifest living
well with Parkinsons.

The body knows how to heal itself.
Give it a chance to heal and be
pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© Parkinsons Recovery

How Can I find a Craniosacral therapist?

craniosacral therapy, Stress and Parkinsons

Question: 

Do you know of any upper cervical adjustment clinics in Costa Rica?
Or cranial adjustment therapy?
 
I was told I have Parkinson’s and told I don’t.
I am going to Costa Rica to heal.
 
And need all your advice.
 
Sincerely, 
MA

Response

I have located the names of two therapists.
The names and addresses have been forwarded
to you in a private e mail correspondence. 

The best place to find a therapist
internationally is to go to the Upledger
Institute Website. http://www.iahp.com/pages/search/index.php

There are other excellent training programs
for craniosacral therapists, so if you live in
the United States or Canada do not limit
your search to the Upledger Institutes listings.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

© 2008 Parkinsons Recovery

Craniosacral Therapy Relieves Symptoms of Parkinson’s

craniosacral therapy, Stress and Parkinsons, Trauma and Parkinsons

This post reports findings of a study in Portland, Oregon involving ten volunteers diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Results showed  craniosacral therapy relieves symptoms of Parkinson’s. The study design is outlined below along with a summary of  findings.

PEP Study Concludes Craniosacral Therapy Relieves Symptoms of Parkinson’s

Results of the Parkinsons Energy Project (PEP) were remarkable given the short time frame – only 4 months -and the limited number of treatments offered. Outcomes were documented quantitatively using standard research instruments,  interviews with participants and pre-post videos of motor functions.

I invite you to examine the videos below that show changes in motor functions for several study volunteers that gave us permission to make videos of them public. None of the study participants were on medications so the differences are not due to the effects of prescription medications which can affect how a person feels when they are effective (during the “on” condition) and then they are not (during the “off” condition).

By any-one’s standards, examination of the videos below shows dramatic improvements in motor functions. There is hope of relief from symptoms!

A video of Mary Before the 6 treatments

A Video of Mary After the 6 Treatments

A Video of Steve Before the 6 Treatments

 

A Video of Steve After the 6 Treatments

A Video of Bob Before the 6 Treatments

 

A Video of Bob After the 6 Treatments

The encouraging results of the Parkinsons Energy Project (PEP) inspired the development of information, resources and programs that you now find on the Parkinsons Recovery web sites.

Background of the Parkinsons Energy Project (PEP)

Zero Point Healers was asked by a support group in Portland, Oregon in 2005 to conduct a study that evaluated the effects of craniosacral therapy on the symptoms of their members. Members of the support group elected not to take prescription medications for Parkinson’s and were specially interested in exploring treatments and therapies that might potentially offer relief from symptoms. No member of the support group had any prior experience with craniosacral therapy.

Eleven support group members volunteered to participate in the PEP study. Six 30 minute treatments were given every two weeks. One study volunteer dropped out at the mid point of the study because doctors determined his symptoms were caused by Lyme disease.

Treatments were administered by 3 persons who are certified craniosacral therapists and Brennan Healing Science practitioners which is a form of energy work that is complementary to craniosacral work.

Design of the PEP Study

The study was a pre-post design that used quantitative and qualitative measures to assess outcomes.The UPDRS (Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale) and the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire 39 (PDQ-39) were used to assess symptoms quantitatively.

Reliability of both instruments is well documented in the research literature. Instruments were completed by participants before treatments began (the baseline), at the mid point, and after all six treatments had been administered (the post-test).

Video tapes were also taken of 10 motor functions at the beginning of the study and at the end for purposes of comparison. Results of the videos of motor functions were consistent with the quantitative findings.

I will first explain what craniosacral therapy does and why it applies to Parkinson’s I will then summarize the findings of the PEP study.

Craniosacral Therapy

One woman with Parkinson’s who found relief using craniosacral therapy
summarized the nature of the treatments beautifully:

“It is hard to believe anything is really happening, but it works.”

The work is very gentle. The person typically lies down on a comfortable massage table. Craniosacral treatments are not like a massage.  The nature of the touch is very, very light and gentle. The person remains fully clothed.

Energy work and craniosacral therapy facilitate the natural ability of the body to unwind and release any tension that is trapped at the cellular level throughout the body. They help the neural system rest and rejuvenate.

The intent of craniosacral therapy is to work with the body so that tension and trauma trapped at the cellular level can be released. Therapists are trained to “follow the body” as they allow tension and stress to be released from the muscles and tissues. The process is best described as one of unwinding tissues that are tightly entangled with too much tension.

Trauma to the body is analogous to a wet wash rag that has been twisted so
many times that all the water has been squeezed dry. After the rag is exposed
to the hot sun it dries out and becomes hardened and inflexible. This is what
happens to tissues that have been traumatized. Craniosacral therapy
softens and helps hydrate the tissues so that they can be properly nourished.

Why Craniosacral Therapy Relieves Symptoms of Parkinson’s

Stress is a key factor that aggravates symptoms. When stress can be relieved, symptoms get better.

Person after person in my interviews tell me the same thing: There is a direct
correlation between stress and their symptoms.

Symptoms flare up when confronted with stressful situations. When stress is no longer a compelling influence symptoms become less troublesome.

Stress creates inflammation throughout the body, the basis for all chronic
diseases. Reduction in inflammation is why symptoms improve. There is a three step sequence involved:

(1) Craniosacral therapy releases stress.
(2) Inflammation is reduced.
(3) Symptoms are relieved.

Craniosacral therapy is only one way to help relieve stress. There are also
other excellent methods that help to relieve stress, but we zeroed in on craniosacral work as the intervention of choice in the PEP study.

Trauma and Parkinson’s

Life experiences can be so traumatic that they have a long lasting effect on the
body. The source of trauma varies widely, but can involve the early and untimely death of a parent, service during wartime, physical or sexual abuse, automobile accidents, head injuries – you name it.

I was discussing trauma this week to a Parkinson’s support group when one woman
spoke up. .

“I know an example of this. I have a friend whose son committed suicide. His symptoms flared up two months later.”

Regardless of the source, trauma makes the tissues throughout the body freeze up. Tissues in many people with Parkinsons feel much like concrete after it has hardened.

Many adults (myself included) have held the belief that if we are able to function in the world as adults by educating ourselves, getting good jobs, and making a contribution n our respective fields, we have overcome any and all traumas we experienced as a child.

I personally convinced myself for 50 years that I could “will” traumas from my own childhood to vanish into thin air. Speaking from personal experience, I must confess this plan was a big flop.

What I now know to be true is that traumas from childhood (and traumas we experience as adults) have a permanence about them. Traumas reside inside our cells as we age. They get stuck in our tissues and settle in for the long haul. This is why our issues are in our tissues.

When a threshold level of trauma and stress is reached the body becomes less and less able to tolerate it. The good news is that it takes time for the hormones in the body to become seriously imbalanced. It should thus come as little surprise that it also takes time for hormones to come back into balance.

Findings of the PEP Study Reveal Craniosacral Therapy Relieves Symptoms of Parkinson’s

Findings of our study showed that craniosacral work helps to relieve Parkinson’s symptoms. Quality of life among study volunteers also improved. Study volunteers were able to do things that they had previously been unable to do. Here are some examples:

  • Cook Thanksgiving dinner
  • Take weekly nature hikes
  • Go out on a date
  • Travel
  • Be assertive
  • Take off a coat without assistance
  • Stand up to brush teeth
  • Attend business meetings
  • Swing arms freely
  • Blink eyes
  • Hang out with friends
  • Drive without anxiety
  • Handle stress better

We observed other positive changes from one treatment session to the next including:

  • More flexibility getting on and off the treatment table
  • Better posture
  • Greater ease walking
  • Enhanced mental clarity and expressiveness
  • Greater flexibility
  • More smiling, better skin color and overall vibrancy
  • More vitality and youthfulness

Craniosacral therapy clearly had a positive impact on the overall health and well being of study volunteers.

Unified Parkinsons Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS).

The quantitative research instruments confirmed reports from study participants, footage from videos and our own observations. One standard instrument used in Parkinson’s research to evaluate the progress of Parkinsons is the Unified Parkinsons Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS).

The UPDRS was administered before the study began and at the conclusion of the study six months later. The average baseline score for the PEP study group was 40.3. The average score dropped to 38.7 at the conclusion of the study.

The higher the score, the worse the condition. That is to say, study participants got better on average. Some experienced significant improvements. Further analysis of the data showed that study volunteers improved on all three sub-scales of the UPDRS (Activities of Daily Living, Mental, and Motor).

Most people believe that the symptoms of people with Parkinson’s are “destined” to progressively “deteriorate” over time. Results of the PEP study refute this widely held belief and show it to be false.

The improvement was remarkable in that the intervention was modest, involving only
6 treatments lasting 20-30 minutes each.

Changes in Symptoms.

We also asked Study Volunteers to report on 62 symptoms before the study began, at midterm and at post test. Analysis across the three time periods revealed there was  improvement or no change in 75% of the symptoms we tracked.

In the figures below, the center point is the place where the person is symptom free. The farther out from the center of each spoke of the wheel, the worse the person is feeling.

The points marked in red reflect the averaged baseline symptoms for study volunteers. The green points are the averaged mid term report of symptoms taken after three treatments. The blue points are the averaged post-test report of symptoms taken after 6 treatments.

For many of the symptoms, the color of the dot that is furthest from the center (reflecting a worse condition) is red. Note that the plot point in blue that represents symptoms at the end of the study are usually closer to the center than the baseline in red. This indicates an improvement in symptoms.

Craniosacral study findings

Craniosacral study Change in Physical Symptoms

Parkinsons Disease Questionnaire 39.

We also administered a third instrument – he Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire 39. Among data reported on this questionnaire, the sub-scales analyzed from the data reported on this questionnaire, improvement was seen in two categories, no change was seen in four categories and Study Volunteers were slightly worse in two categories. Again, these findings refute the conventional expectation that the condition of all persons with Parkinson’s is destined to deteriorate.

Summary: Craniosacral Therapy Relieves Symptoms of Parkinson’s

All sources of evidence including quantitative data and qualitative observations revealed consistent findings. It is possible to celebrate relief from the symptoms of Parkinson’s.  Craniosacral therapy is a viable option which can offer symptom relief.
therapy is a viable option that offers symptom relief. When trauma embedded at the cellular level is released, symptoms improve.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

© 2024 Parkinsons Recovery