Category Archives: Trauma and Parkinsons

Trauma Inflames Parkinsons

Trauma and Parkinsons

Below are included two emails I received from persons addressing how traumas inflame Parkinsons. Trauma gets embedded at the cellular level like super glue and inflames Parkinsons symptoms day in and day out.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder Parkinsons Recovery

I just want you to know that I had previously started to recover from Parkinson’s because of the work I have been doing about letting go of the stress and trauma in my body by using Louise L Hay method. I’m following her book You Can Heal Your Body.

I have noticed quite a significant reduction in my symptoms already. They’re not completely gone but they are reducing and I am definitely on the road to recovery. I am sure your program will help even more. I just know that I will be symptom-free! I have no doubt about it.

So thank you for your jump start to Recovery program.

My vision that I hold in my thoughts are having you interview me on your radio show and I am sharing on how I recovered from Parkinsons after acknowledging that trauma inflames Parkinsons. And the other vision I have is me telling my neurologist I no longer have Parkinson’s and him giving me a score of 0 on the Parkinson’s scale.

Regards,

Gail

Below is correspondence I received from Marsha who emphasizes how trauma inflames Parkinsons.

You see, I have experienced trauma and abuse in my childhood…even pre-verbal.

Have PTSD. I have had challenges, mostly emotional, Though I’ve had a wonderful career as a songwriter, these last years, my stress, anxiety, and terror have made me drop to my knees and surrender to the Universal forces that are smarter than me and my ego. Now this past year these symptoms just validated this perfect storm of so many reasons why this has come to be…and you are one of the few who is actually addressing all this. By the way, I’m a young 67.

Marsha

How to Release Trauma from the Body

Parkinsons Disease Information, Trauma and Parkinsons

The therapy that I personally found was most beneficial in releasing my own trauma is described here: https://www.breathwork.today

How to Release Trauma from the Body: Reclaim Your Well-Being

Trauma isn’t just an emotional experience—it’s also stored in our bodies. When we experience trauma, our bodies can react in ways that are often invisible but deeply impactful. This can manifest as chronic tension, pain, or even illness. Releasing trauma from the body requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of healing. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to release trauma from the body to help start your journey toward restoring your health.

Trauma is the body’s response to an overwhelming experience that exceeds our ability to cope. This can include experiences like abuse, accidents, or chronic stress. When trauma occurs, our nervous system can become dysregulated, leading to a state of constant alertness or hyperarousal. This state can cause physical symptoms such as muscle tension, pain, and digestive issues.

The body stores trauma in various ways:

  • Muscle Tension: Stress and trauma often cause muscles to contract and remain tight.
  • Postural Changes: Trauma can lead to habitual postures that may contribute to discomfort or pain.
  • Chronic Pain: Many people with unresolved trauma experience chronic pain without a clear physical cause.
  • Digestive Issues: The gut is highly sensitive to stress, often manifesting as digestive disturbances.

Techniques for How to Release Trauma from the Body

  1. Somatic Experiencing: Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, somatic experiencing focuses on the body’s sensations rather than the narrative of the trauma. The goal is to help individuals become aware of their physical responses and gradually release the energy associated with traumatic experiences. This technique often involves body awareness exercises, mindful breathing, and gentle movement.
  2. Bodywork and Massage Therapy: Various forms of bodywork can help release stored trauma. Techniques like deep tissue massage, myofascial release, and craniosacral therapy can address the physical manifestations of trauma. Working with a skilled therapist can help release muscle tension and promote a sense of relaxation.
  3. Yoga and Movement Practices: Yoga can be particularly effective for trauma release. It encourages mindfulness and body awareness while promoting relaxation and flexibility. Trauma-informed yoga classes are designed to create a safe space and offer gentle, supportive movements that can help release stored tension.
  4. Breathwork: Breathwork techniques, such as diaphragmatic breathing and holotropic breathwork, can help regulate the nervous system and release pent-up emotions. By focusing on the breath, you can help bring your body back to a state of equilibrium and foster a sense of calm.
  5. Mindfulness and Meditation: Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help you become more attuned to your body’s signals and emotions. Techniques such as guided imagery or progressive muscle relaxation can assist in processing and releasing trauma.
  6. Trauma-Informed Therapy: Working with a therapist who is trained in trauma-informed care can provide support in navigating and healing from trauma. Techniques like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) or cognitive-behavioral therapy can be integrated with body-focused approaches to address trauma comprehensively.
  7. Art and Expressive Therapies: Creative outlets such as art, music, and dance can help express and process trauma that may be difficult to articulate verbally. Engaging in these activities can facilitate emotional release and physical relaxation.
  8. Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep are crucial for overall well-being. These lifestyle choices support your body’s ability to heal and manage stress effectively.

Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment

Creating a safe space is essential for trauma release. This includes:

  • Finding Support: Surround yourself with supportive individuals who understand and respect your healing journey.
  • Setting Boundaries: Be mindful of your limits and take care to avoid situations or people that may trigger or exacerbate trauma.
  • Practicing Self-Compassion: Be gentle with yourself as you navigate the healing process. Recognize that healing is a gradual journey and honor your progress, no matter how small.

Conclusion

Releasing trauma from the body is a profound and ongoing process that requires patience and self-compassion. By integrating techniques that address both physical and emotional aspects, you can begin to release stored trauma and foster a sense of well-being. Remember, healing is a personal journey, and what works best for you may evolve over time. Be open to exploring different methods and seek support as needed. Your body has an incredible capacity for healing, and with time and care, you can reclaim your health and vitality.

Brain Cell Regeneration

Beliefs and Parkinson's, Toxins in the Body, Trauma and Parkinsons

In several of your articles about Parkinson’s, it is stated as fact that by the time one experiences the first symptoms of Parkinson’s, 60-80% of the brain cells in the Substantia Nigra area of the brain have been destroyed. If this is a medical fact then how does it stand to reason that the body is merely out of balance or suffering from toxins? Is brain cell regeneration really possible?

I believe that the body can be out of balance but has it suffered the reality of irreversible damage? It is important to have a positive outlook but I also think it is important to be realistic.

I hope I do not sound overly direct because I appreciate all you are doing and have found much of your information to be thought provoking and helpful.

Thanks, A.G.

The estimate that 80% of the dopamine producing cells have been destroyed comes from autopsies of people found to have degradation in the substantia nigra. A startling proportion of persons are misdiagnosed with Parkinson’s – estimates vary from 25% to 33%. It is a tough diagnosis to make and it is easy for doctors to miss the mark on this call.

This means that although the person has symptoms that are like the symptoms of Parkinson’s, they are not being driven by a dopamine deficiency. It may simply be that the myelin sheath coverings around the neurons are clogged by toxins or obstructed by trauma to the tissues. Or, other factors may be at play.

I personally believe that we find ourselves trotting down a dead end alley much too often if the “problem” of Parkinson’s is defined as a dopamine deficiency. The body can always produce sufficient dopamine under the proper conditions. Brain cell regeneration is not only a possibility but a proven fact. And, the body can always generate new cells and rejuvenate itself. Healing becomes possible when the symptoms are viewed in a broader context of health and wellness rather than death and destruction.

At the most basic level, all healing rests on the foundation of thought forms. When we focus on what is not possible, nothing becomes possible. When we set out intention for change and renewal, anything is possible.

I think it is a mistake to focus on the cells that have been destroyed in the body. Cells are being born every micro second. The body can reconstruct anything – cells, neural pathways, tissues – you name it. When we focus on what has been destroyed, we have sunk into the negative thought form trap which leads us into nagging thoughts that recovery is impossible. This is why I wrote the Five Steps to Recovery.

The body can and does rejuvenate itself.

Robert Roders, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Why Toxins Stick to Our Body Like Super Glue

Parkinsons Disease Information, Toxins in the Body, Trauma and Parkinsons

Many persons who currently experience symptoms of Parkinsons are terribly  frustrated. They have determined through one diagnostic test or another that their body contains toxins – perhaps a heavy metal or pesticide or herbicide or…

Research on Parkinson’s symptoms has revealed many toxins are the culprits that wreak havoc on neurological systems. It does not take much to upset neurons. Their sensitivity is off the charts.

This frustration stems from various attempts to get rid of the toxins. Valiant efforts are made. Nothing seems to do the trick. Have you experienced this frustration?

Perhaps you listen to one of my radio shows with a prestigious researcher who recommends herbs as the ideal detox.

  1. You buy the herbs.
  2. You take the herbs.
  3. The recommended treatment is engaged.

Alas, the toxins continue to stick to your tissues like super glue.
Diagnostic assessments reveal the guilty toxin is still present in dangerous
levels. It does not get more frustrating than this, eh?

Most people who follow my work are dedicated to the end goal of recovery. They do not give up with the first therapy. More investigation is launched. A second detox protocol is begun. This one involves chelation under the close supervision of their doctor.

After pursuing the chelation protocol to its logical end, the toxicity remains. Toxins have a stubborn resilience. They appears to love hanging out in your body.

You too are stubborn. You continue to embrace one detox protocol after another. After all, there are other protocols and other doctors. Still, results do not shift. The toxins refuse to budge. Frustration begins to sizzle like a steak on a backyard grill in summertime.

Nothing Gets Rid of My Toxins

  • You certainly did not extend an invitation for the toxin to invade your body.
  • You certainly did not marry the toxin.

The toxins are just like a foreign enemy that refuses to surrender. Why? They are fighting furiously to defend their own territory which, of course, happens to be inside your body.

Why in the world does the highly toxic substance insist on invading your body
when they were not invited and certainly not welcome and worse have become
encapsulated? The answer to this million dollar question turns on a connection that is a mystery to most people.

Toxins and trauma go hand in hand like two love birds on their honeymoon.
Toxins do stick to the cells like super glue until  trauma (which is also
trapped at the cellular level) is released.

Agent Orange

The connection between toxins and trauma is profound. I will focus on one strong connection to explain the connection: exposure to Agent Orange (a deadly toxin) and the neurological symptoms associated with a diagnosis of Parkinsons Disease.

The body has an intricate system for eliminating toxic substances. It retains what is needed and throws out what is unnecessary or harmful. If there is a massive
exposure of a toxin, it will take the body time – sometime years – to release all
the nasty chemicals that will eventually devastate the organs and tissues.

Why is it then that some soldiers who were exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam war are just now showing the effects of that exposure as seen through neurological symptoms, cancers or other illnesses? Wasn’t 40 years sufficient time for the body to do its job? Not when trauma was present at the time of the exposure.

The Vietnam War (as with any war) was a horrifying experience for all military personnel who participated. Trauma was not experienced for a brief minute as is the case with an automobile accident. It was experienced throughout the duration of their service which was one long year.

When a soldier was exposed to Agent Orange, they were functioning under highly traumatic conditions. At the moment of the exposure the body makes a direct connection between the two. There is a tight connection is formed at that very moment between
the toxin and the trauma.

What does the body do under traumatic circumstances? It either flees or freezes.

Soldiers could not flee unless they deserted. Some did. Suicide was an option
some elected to take. The much more common reaction was to freeze. This is what all animals do under such circumstances. They freeze dead in their tracks, hoping that the
enemy will not spot them. All secondary systems in the body are shut down,
including the systems that eliminate toxins naturally.

The toxins are tied, linked and stuck to the trauma. It is as if they are married to one another, holding hands as they celebrate their 40th anniversary.

If you fit into that category of persons who are frustrated because you have been unable to eliminate toxins (we we all have toxins in our body) then I suggest that you first investigate therapies that will help you release the trauma. Redirect your energies toward the work of releasing the trauma that is trapped inside the cells of your body.

Release of toxins will follow in due course. Many options are available today that
help people with Parkinson’s symptoms release the trauma that has been frozen
in their cells.

  1. Settle on a therapy that your intuition tells you is perfect for you and your body.
  2. Experience the relief from stress and tension as the trauma takes a long awaited exit from the stage of your life.
  3. Watch the secondary benefit with delight as those nasty toxins begin to stampede out of your body at long last.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Parkinsons Recovery
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
https://www.parkinsonsdisease.me
Olympia Washington

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tremor Treatments

calm tremors, heavy metals, juicing, probiotics, recovery, stem cell implants, Supplements, Trauma and Parkinsons, treatment options

Here is a short list of questions I answered during the program today on tremor treatments and more:

  • What are the best techniques to reverse Parkinson’s?
  • Are probiotics and pre-biotics helpful?
  • What about juicing to remove heavy metals like lead?
  • How about taking Mucuna for tremors?
  • are there any tremor treatments that are effective?
  • Where does one start when deciding to travel down the road to recovery?
  • What about taking lots of supplements to address the symptoms?
  • I am doing all of the therapies that people say will calm tremors but they continue to increase. Can you recommend tremor treatments that will help?
  • Is ketogenic diet useful to address Parkinson’s symptoms or are there other diets that are better? I am confused. There are so many opinions out there!

Additional Parkinsons Recovery Resources Discussed During the Program

Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons Recovery Memberships:
Treatments for Tremors
Tame Tremors
Seven Secrets to Healing

Heavy Metals and Parkinsons Disease

heavy metals, Parkinsons Disease Information, Trauma and Parkinsons

Naturopath Doctor John Coleman ND from Australia discusses the connection between heavy metals and Parkinson’s disease symptoms. While heavy metals can be a factor, John emphasizes the initiating connection of symptoms to trauma (whether physical, emotional or mental).

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Trauma and Parkinson’s

Trauma and Parkinsons

Parkinsons disease is a condition of extreme overwhelm of the central nervous system. It is set in motion by traumatic events and belief systems that were crystalized at an early age. The connection between trauma and Parkinson’s symptoms is profound.

Traumatic events result in brain wave distortions that jeopardize survival of a person until resolution can be achieved. If resolution is not found, the neural distortions continue to run rampant throughout the body. This precludes access to dopamine reserves. The body becomes exhausted by the stress and continues to decline.

Understanding Trauma and Parkinson’s

Trauma leaves an imprint on our minds and bodies. It is not just a mental or emotional burden. It  manifests physically, influencing our nervous system, bodily functions, and overall well-being. Traditional therapeutic approaches often focus on talking through traumas. An alternative therapy  enables the release of traumas that have been embedded at the cellular level since childhood. It is known as Breathwork.

What is Breathwork?

Breathwork is a practice that involves continuous breathing techniques to influence  mental, emotional, and physical states. It ranges from deep, conscious breathing to more structured techniques like holotropic breathwork or pranayama. The core idea is to use the breath to bring to the surface trapped emotions that are then released.

When traumatized, we all have learned to stop breathing. Why? This immediately cuts us off from feelings of fear, horror and agony that are inevitably triggered by trauma. Because we stop breathing, these horrible feelings get stuck and trapped in our physical body. Continuous breathing connects with these feelings, making  them available for release so that we are no longer holding the traumas deep inside ourselves. This is what makes us sick.

For more information about the revolutionary approach to Breathwork illustrated in the video, visit:  About Breathwork Today

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery
http://www.parkinsonsrecovery.com

 

Toxins and Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

road to recovery, Toxins in the Body, Trauma and Parkinsons

I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 4 years ago, aged 40. Since diagnosis I decided to take a holistic approach and have not been on medication.

A recent hair tissue mineral test showed very high levels of lead, copper as well as elevated levels of aluminum and tin. I’m now working with a naturopath who has put me on a detox/chelation programme for 6 – 8 months.  Two months into it, I’m feeling quite well energetically with clearer brain, however, the tremor has increased significantly.

I’m wondering if you have met anyone on a similar journey that have experienced worsening Parkinson’s symptoms while detoxing.

Antonia

Response

Sounds like you are on the right track with your detox protocol. Congratulations. Symptoms can often get quite a bit worse before they lift. The road to recovery is seldom smooth sailing.

You might talk with your naturopath doctor about slowing down the intensity of your detox program if symptoms are too bothersome. It is possible the current pace is a little too much for your body right now.

It is likely your body is sending you a strong signal you need to release trauma that is likely nested deep within your cells. There is a strong connection between toxins and trauma as I discuss in my book, Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease.  It is important to address both – i.e., work on releasing both the toxins and the trauma.

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

Theories of Trauma

Trauma and Parkinsons

Question:

Are you familiar with the work of Janice Walton-Hadlock?  Did you develop your theory of trauma independently from her theory?

Margaret

Response:

Yes, I am very familiar with her excellent work with regard to Parkinson’s. I took all of her arguments into consideration when I developed my own theory of trauma. My theory differs significantly from hers. Her theory of trauma is very specific and targeted.

My theory is much more general and embraces the possibility that many different forms of trauma can cause the symptoms. I am writing up an explanation of my theory of trauma in my forthcoming book, The
Road to Recovery.

Janice asked that I not link to her website from my website because she did not want people to get confused between her theories and mine. I have of course honored her request though I would have preferred to have a link to her work from my websites.

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

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

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

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