About Parkinsons Disease

Natural Options that Reverse Symptoms

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5 Living my life, not the disease

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.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Episode 5: Living my life, not the disease.

“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 not  rigor 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-years  with 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?!”

Kaleidoscope Chart

6 Parkinson’s Kaleidoscope

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.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Episode 6: My Parkinson’s Kaleidoscope.

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 symptom  can 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 be  an 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.

7 Do Fun Stuff

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.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Episode 7: Millie & Grampy Do Fun Stuff.

“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 figure  whose 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.

How can I know what I need to do for myself to feel better?

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.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© 2024 Parkinsons Recovery

Principles of Recovery from Parkinsons

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.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

 

 

Iyengar Yoga Offers Relief from Parkinsons Symptoms

“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, andIyengar Yoga 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.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© Parkinsons Recovery

Ayurveda for Parkinsons

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.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© Parkinsons Recovery

Can I Stop Taking Sinemet to Pursue Natural Therapies?

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.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© Parkinsons Recovery

Natural Substitutes for Sugar

What are some natural substitutes for sugar? 

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.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© Parkinsons Recovery

Dogs with a Nose for Parkinsons

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

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery 

Excessive Weight Loss

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.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease

 

Photobiomodulation for Parkinson’s Disease

Photobiomodulation for Parkinson’s Disease

Finally! I have been eagerly waiting to learn results of a 3 year Australian photobiomodulation for Parkinson’s disease study that examined the impact of light therapy (using Vielight.com devices – 10% coupon code healing4me – as a treatment for persons diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Results are now published.

Documented reductions in Parkinson’s symptoms far exceeded my expectations. Measures of mobility, cognition, dynamic balance and fine motor skill for the 12 Parkinson’s research subjects were significantly improved (p < 0.05) with photobiomodulation treatment for 12 weeks and up to one year.

Many individual improvements were above the minimal clinically important differences, the threshold judged to be meaningful for participants. Individual improvements varied but many continued for up to one year with sustained home treatment.

The design of this study was eloquent. Participants were assessed for mobility, fine motor skills, balance and cognition before treatment began, after 4 weeks of treatment, then after 12 weeks of treatment and then at the end of the home treatment period.

Researchers drew the following conclusions:

“PBM (photobiomodulation) was shown to be a safe and potentially effective treatment for a range of clinical signs and symptoms of PD. Improvements were maintained for as long as treatment continued, for up to one year in a neurodegenerative disease where decline is typically expected.”

The abstract of the study follows:

BMC Neurol. 2021 Jul 2;21(1):256. Improvements in clinical signs of Parkinson’s disease using photobiomodulation: a prospective proof-of-concept study. Ann LiebertBrian BicknellE-Liisa LaaksoGillian HellerParastoo JalilitabaeiSharon TilleyJohn MitrofanisHosen Kiat

Abstract

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no cure and few treatment options. Its incidence is increasing due to aging populations, longer disease duration and potentially as a COVID-19 sequela. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been successfully used in animal models to reduce the signs of PD and to protect dopaminergic neurons.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of PBM to mitigate clinical signs of PD in a prospective proof-of-concept study, using a combination of transcranial and remote treatment, in order to inform on best practice for a larger randomized placebo-controlled trial (RCT).

Methods: Twelve participants with idiopathic PD were recruited. Six were randomly chosen to begin 12 weeks of transcranial, intranasal, neck and abdominal PBM. The remaining 6 were waitlisted for 14 weeks before commencing the same treatment. After the 12-week treatment period, all participants were supplied with PBM devices to continue home treatment. Participants were assessed for mobility, fine motor skills, balance and cognition before treatment began, after 4 weeks of treatment, after 12 weeks of treatment and the end of the home treatment period. A Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was used to assess treatment effectiveness at a significance level of 5%.

Results: Measures of mobility, cognition, dynamic balance and fine motor skill were significantly improved (p < 0.05) with PBM treatment for 12 weeks and up to one year. Many individual improvements were above the minimal clinically important difference, the threshold judged to be meaningful for participants. Individual improvements varied but many continued for up to one year with sustained home treatment. There was a demonstrable Hawthorne Effect that was below the treatment effect. No side effects of the treatment were observed.

Conclusions: PBM was shown to be a safe and potentially effective treatment for a range of clinical signs and symptoms of PD. Improvements were maintained for as long as treatment continued, for up to one year in a neurodegenerative disease where decline is typically expected. Home treatment of PD by the person themselves or with the help of a carer might be an effective therapy option. The results of this study indicate that a large RCT is warranted.

The Future of Medicine has Arrived

Click on the link below to hear my interview on Parkinsons Recovery Radio with Dr. Lew Lim, CEO of Vielight photobiomodulation devices. This interview was conducted before publication of the photobiomodulation Parkinson’s study.

The future of medicine rests with innovative therapies that utilize light and sound to bring the body back into balance and harmony. Neurons are cells that contain mitochondria. Photobiomodulation energizes neuronal mitochondria, triggering a cascade of beneficial cellular functions. Potential benefits are:

  • Neuroprotective effects.
  • Self-repair mechanisms
  • Enhanced functionality.

Results of this photobiomodulation Parkinson’s study affirm these expectations.

YouTube player

Vielight Warranty

Use any of the Vielight devices for up to six months. If you do not celebrate the relief in symptoms expected, you can return the device for an 80% refund. The company, located in Toronto Canada, obviously has confidence that users will be delighted with the result. Use coupon code healing4me to claim a 10% discount when ordering. https://www.vielight.com.

Call them to get your questions answered. Their staff are incredible.
1-877-355-8012 (Main line). Phone-in hours are from 9 am – 5 pm EST, Monday to Friday.

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

 

 

Neuro-Linquistic Programming (NLP)

What follows is a transcription of my interview
with  Carl Buchheit, a national expert in Neuro-linquistic
Programming or NLP. I was interested
in exploring with Carl whether NLP can be
useful in helping people with Parkinson’s.

Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a collection
of techniques and strategies that help people change
their thoughts and behaviors. It is based on the concept
that language, neurological processes, and behavioral
patterns are inter-connected.

I asked him the following question.

“Can NLP be used by persons who
have the symptoms of Parkinson’s
who would like to be able to
celebrate relief from their symptoms?”

Carl’s answer follows.

“I have worked with a number of
folks who have Parkinson’s.
The answer is yes. I am sure
like just about everyone else
you are talking to this is
really, really difficult
territory.”

“What we typically find and
pay attention to  which
we always do when we are
dealing with any kind of
change working with the N
LP model is – as preposterous
as this question might sound:”

‘What are the intended positive
outcomes of the symptoms, of the
illness?’

“We pre-suppose that all experience,
all behavior (Parkinson’s included)
however difficult it is and is
all prompted by some kind of
intended positive outcome.”

“Now the question is what version
is this, where and when?”

“When people are in such distress
with the symptoms it is really
difficult to imagine that there
could be anything positive
trying to happen as I am sure
everyone can easily imagine.”

“What we usually do is ask this
first question when we are
doing NLP change:”

‘What would you like?’

“That can take two hours to answer
obviously or it can take two days.”

“Then we ask:”

‘What will having that do for you?’

‘Is there anything you might lose
that you value when you have the
outcome that you like?’

“I have had some experience with
people who have shifted their
symptoms quite a bit and several
other people not at all. So I
have a mixed report.”

Interested in learning more about
NLP? Carl recommends that you
read:
Introducing NLP Neuro-Linguistic Programming: Psychological Skills for Understanding and Influencing People (1995)

You can also reach him through
his clinic.

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

© Parkinsons Recovery

Jaw Misalignment

This may be a little premature but I am so excited I had to write you. I have just determined I have a jaw misalignment. First, let me give a little background.

I was diagnosed with Parkinsons about 13 years ago and have been struggling with this awful disease since. I am a nurse and had to leave my job about a year ago. I have done every alternative Rx you could think of. My symptoms started getting worse and the medication Sinemet was not helping – leaving me very fatigued and not able to walk across the room without assistance.

Then about a week my husband saw an old friend and he purchased some honey and bee pollen from him. I might add this guy is a bee keeper and has his own honey and pollen. Well I started taken a spoon full of pollen with a spoon of his honey and I swear I felt a little better the next day, so I have been faithfully take a spoon of each every morning and feel it given me a lot more energy.

Then I came across your interview with Cheryl which was a blessing. I really believe God put us in the places we need to be at the right time and we all need to tune into our higher self. Listening to Cheryl’s story really interested me because her story sounded a lot like mine. I actually called in and spoke with her. I was the last caller Rose.

I immediately called the Parkinsons Resource Center and talked to Ms Rosen and she got back with me. Since I live in Maryland she suggested I see Dr Branden Stack in VA. And as it turns out he is the Guru of this treatment. I made an appointment and saw him today.

OMG, after his examination he told me my jaw was grossly out of alignment – he stated 1 inch – and immediately gave me an order to get a mri which I immediately went next door and tried to get it done on the same day but could not. I have to wait and get it done tomorrow afternoon. Dr Stack says he can help me.

So I know it is a little premature, but I have a gut feeling correcting my jaw misalignment  is my answer to getting my life back as Cheryl so summed it up in those words. I will keep in touch and let you know my progress. Like I said my mri is tomorrow and my TMJ might have to be corrected with TMJ surgery which is minor. When I think of all the years and all the money I wasted, although I take that back, this was a learning experience and I am truly a different person today because of it. THANK YOU ROBERT.

Rose

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Slow Movement Remedies

Do you have any slow movement remedies to suggest? I never hear this question addressed. Are there any ways to overcome this? It is my worst symptom. People tell me I move very gingerly.

Thank you for your help.

Karen

The big picture is the reprogram your neural networks. It appears that your movements are being controlled by neural pathways that are a bit rusty.

There is no reason for panic! The brain has an incredible capacity to reconfigure pathways. You just have to begin moving a bit differently to configure the new pathways which will make walking easier and require less effort on your part.

First, I suggest that you listen to my interview with Professional Dancer Pamela Quinn from New York City which I aired a number of years ago. Pamela offers a number of suggestions you will find helpful.

Pamela Quinn danced professionally for 20 years with ODC/San Francisco and with actor/writer MichaelO’Connor before being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease at age 42. Pamela has developed an amazing range of creative movements, exercises and dances that have helped herself and others cope with the many and various symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Learn more about her at www.pamelaquinn.net

Second, I suggest that you add a little music (with a nice hefty beat) when you walk. Use an MP3 player or IPOD or something portable. Find some music you like to listen to which has a marching type of beat. Music with a strong beat does wonders for movements that are slow and cumbersome. Michael Jackson recorded some great songs with incredible beats you can dance to.

Third, there are a number of brain challenge exercises and programs which provide great ways to forge new neural pathways. You might try out a few. They always have free ones to try out on the internet.

Fourth, one of the fun slow movement remedies is this. Inside of thinking of walking from point A to point B, think to yourself that you will dance from Point A to Point B. You may be surprised by the difference created by the different in thought forms.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Surgery Connection to Parkinsons 

Is there a surgery connection to Parkinsons?

There is no research evidence that supports a surgery connectionsurgery connection to Parkinsons
to Parkinsons. However, Scars from surgeries interrupt meridian pathways. It is important to heal the scar tissue so that all channels
of energy that nourish your organs and tissues are unobstructed.

What do I mean by channels? There are well documented energy
pathways in our bodies that are given difference names in
acupuncture: The stomach meridian, the liver meridian, the spleen
meridian, etc. You can find charts of these pathways in the
library or on the internet.

Surgery on your foot or hand or any part of your body for that
matter interrupts the flow of vital energy across any one or more
of these pathways. Acupuncturists place needles along the meridian
lines that need a jump start. It is like recharging the battery of
a car. An acupuncturist may place needles in your foot or neck
to address issues with your digestion or mood.

For example, let’s say you have had surgery on your hip recently.
There is a big scar on your upper thigh that is located at the
center of your body. This scar tissue from hip surgery
creates a systematic interruption in the energy pathways that
nourish one or more of your vital organs.

Check out the meridian charts to see if any surgeries you may have
had lie on a key meridian. Do not be surprised to discover you
may be having difficulty with an organ that is connected with the
meridian that happens to cross the scar tissue.

Let me be clear that no one in the research literature
has identified scar tissue as a factor that is related to the
symptoms of Parkinsons. I personally believe that it
can aggravate the symptoms, so why not address
the problem?

The remedy is cheap and easy to do. No expensive
tests are needed. No prescriptions need be written
by a medical doctor.

Simply find wheat germ oil in a co-op or health food store.
Apply the wheat germ oil to the scar tissue twice daily.
The treatment takes 15 seconds.

You can purchase wheat germ oil in capsule form. Then extract
the wheat germ from the capsule and apply the oil
directly onto any scars that resulted from surgeries.

That is all there is to it.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© 2024 Parkinsons Recovery

Drumming Relieves Symptoms of Parkinsons

Do you like the title of this article? I do. AreDrumming offers Relief from Parkinsons symptoms
you surprised that drumming relieves
symptoms of Parkinsons?

I am not. I must make a confession before
I tell you more. I have been a drummer
since I was in elementary school. Much of
my time in high school was spent playing in
bands and orchestras. I still love to drum on
anything – chairs, tables, walls and of course
drums of all sizes and shapes.

Some people say drumming relieves
symptoms of Parkinsons so I drum at our Summits.
The purpose of drumming is clearcut: to have fun and feel better.
Drumming fulfills both aspirations effortlessly.
Everyone becomes young again.

The drum is a powerful force in healing.
It:

  • Releases stress
  • Energizes the spirit
  • Heals troubling emotions
  • Releases anger
  • Creates euphoria

It is hard to beat this list, eh? The body’s
ability to heal is boundless. Drumming is
a fundamental way to support this ability.

Dr. Connie Tomaino has found that listening
to drumming gives people with Parkinson’s
better control over their movements and
helps to improve their gait in stressful
situations. Dr. Tomaino, DA, MT-BC, uses
drumming in her work with persons with
neurological challenges including dementia.
Here is her report:

“I once worked with a young person
with Parkinson’s disease who had
trouble initiating movement. I
explored different rhythm patterns
with him. We then made a cassette
of different kinds of African drumming
that he seemed to find very stimulating
and helped him get moving.”

“Anytime he had to walk across a street,
whereas in the past he may freeze, he
would put on his headphones and listen
to African rhythms to get to the other
side without freezing in the middle of
rush hour traffic.”

https://remo.com/

What is Drumming?

You do not have to just listen to drumming.
You can drum yourself. Drumming is stress
free and fun by design.

  • No musical ability is necessary.
    No talent is required.
    No sense of rhythm is necessary.
    No musical training is a prerequisite.

The only requirement is to have a body.
Everyone meets this requirement. Right?
The only agenda is to have fun. Everyone
is qualified to participate.

Any type of drum will do. Bongos, bass
drums, snare drums without the snare,
tympani, hand drums, African drums –
you name it. If it sounds like a drum it
is a drum no matter what it looks like or
how it is made.

You can drum alone or in groups. If you
drum with others, someone in the group can
volunteer to maintain a steady beat – often
like the beat of a human heart. Everyone
else in the group then beats away on their
drum to their hearts content with whatever
beat calls to them.

Some people make simple beats that are
meditative. Others are show offs. It is not
the beat per se that matters. Whatever way
you drum is the right way for you. The room
rocks.

Let no one convince you otherwise. You
may be one who does not like to “keep the
beat.” Good for you. Go for it.

When we are in groups it is fun to sit around
in a circle and drum together. Even if you are
not drumming yourself, it is healing to feel the
thump of the airwaves. The thumbs crawl
under your skin and sit on the lap of your soul.

What you get in return for having fun
by just sitting in the group is euphoria.
What other remedy for Parkinsons can
beat that? You also receive the welcome
benefit of dopamine. Who could use a
little more dopamine today?

Why Drumming Relieves Symptoms of Parkinsons

There is a marked tendency for persons
with Parkinson’s to be hyper-vigilant.
Mental activity is usually turned up to the
top notch.

Hyper-vigilance is a good trait. It is one
reason why people with Parkinson’s
succeed in whatever they choose to do.
But hyper-vigilance also takes a heavy
toll on the human body which has a
foundational need for rest and relaxation.

The body was not designed to pump out
adrenaline 24-7 without registering loud
complaints. You know the story. People
who are always working and never playing
have health problems.

People who are hyper-vigilant also
have a much greater chance of having
no alfa brainwaves. Zero. Drumming
helps to jump start this deficiency by
inducing alfa brainwaves at 8-12 cycles
per second.

The alfa state is that delicious, relaxed
place that ever so gently nudges the
body into a state of pure relaxation, the
place where dopamine is manufactured.
The hyper-vigilant person has difficulty
producing dopamine because they
rarely experience this state.

I suspect that what happens in
transcendental meditation is similar
to what happens with drumming.
Twenty minutes (or so) of a 30
minute transcendental meditation
are spent floating in the alfa state.

Stress and trauma are embodied by a
disconnection from the earth. One good
way to survive stressful circumstances and
trauma (especially when we are young) is to
disassociate from ourselves and from our
surroundings. We yank our roots up from
the earth and let them flop about in thin air.

Drumming helps to connect you back to
the earth. Drumming calls you back to
the embrace of mother earth where it is
safe and exciting to be alive. Drumming
helps you accept everything and everyone –
including ourselves – just as you are.

Drumming invites the body to relax and
unwind. Results happen when you start.
You do not have to wait weeks or
months for the “therapy” to take effect.
Pretty neat, eh?

Testimonials tell us that drumming
helps people with Parkinson’s. We have
no formal research to indicate that it
helps but I say why even bother to do a study?

Why not give it a try and find a drum
today? You can often find great drums
at garage sales for a few dollars.

It certainly cannot hurt you.
It is bound to be fun.
You may laugh while doing it.
When you have fun and laugh …
you give yourself the best dose of
dopamine that exists. It is all natural
and entirely free.

So be honest with me here. Do you think
this is a silly idea? If you do, please take
this opportunity to laugh at me. That will
do you some good for sure!

As for myself, I am on the lookout for
drums at garage sales.
Euphoria is calling me.

Below is a study that affirms the benefits of drumming.

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024 Apr 22;21(4):514 An Exploration of People Living with Parkinson’s Experience of Cardio-Drumming; Parkinson’s Beats: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Research has shown that physical activity has a range of benefits for people living with Parkinson’s (PLwP), improving muscle strength, balance, flexibility, and walking, as well as non-motor symptoms such as mood. Parkinson’s Beats is a form of cardio-drumming, specifically adapted for PLwP, and requires no previous experience nor skills. Nineteen PLwP (aged between 55 and 80) took part in the regular Parkinson’s Beats sessions in-person or online. Focus group discussions took place after twelve weeks to understand the impacts of Parkinson’s Beats. Through the framework analysis, six themes and fifteen subthemes were generated.

Participants reported a range of benefits of cardio-drumming, including improved fitness and movement, positive mood, the flow experience, and enhanced social wellbeing.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© Parkinsons Recovery

 

Therapies for Parkinsons Plus

I was diagnosed with Parkinsons in 2002.
In 2006 I was told that I probably had
Parkinsons+ or CBD. Since then neurologists
have had no suggestions of therapies for
Parkinsons plus.

I wondered if you knew of anything being
used for Parkinsons+.

Your question is the perfect question for
a medical doctor who is trained in a two
step process for treating disease. First,
the condition is given a diagnosis. In your case
it is Parkinsons Plus. Second,
the diagnosis informs a set of therapies for
Parkinsons Plus (though apparently
in this case your neurologists do not have
anything to recommend).

Medical doctors have to be very concerned
about following this protocol or else they
could be sued if something goes wrong.
I am not a medical doctor (I am a researcher),
so I have the latitude of thinking about
the problem differently.

At Parkinsons Recovery I propose a different
model to follow, a model of wellness. The
argument that underpins everything I am
writing about and everything I am discovering
in my research is that the body has an inherent
wisdom to heal.

If there are symptoms, then the body is simply
giving us valuable information about an imbalance;
Perhaps too much stress in your life, perhaps
too much trauma, perhaps too many toxins.
Something is out of balance or overtaxed.

Some people choose to respond to troubling
symptoms by covering them up, numbing them
or otherwise killing them in some fashion or another.

I say – let the symptoms roll on. They are giving
us valuable information about what is up.

With my approach, there is no emphasis on the
disease state. The name is inconsequential –
Parkinson’s, Parkinsons +, MSA – it is of no
consequence. Rather, the focus is on giving the
body what it needs to become healthy. I
propose a positive mind set rather than a
negative mind set.

The bottom line is that if you follow the
traditional disease model, here is what happens:

(1) You receive a diagnosis (and I certainly have
no doubt in your case but that the diagnosis
is sound)

(2) You discover little or nothing can be done
for this particular “disease.”

(3) You get depressed, crawl into a hole and
wait to feel worse.

Using my approach, the sequence is dramatically
different:

(1) You receive information from your body
that something is out of balance (perhaps
there is a nutritional deficiency, perhaps
the stress hormones are overpowering everything
in your body, perhaps your elimination organs
can not handle the heavy traffic of toxins, etc.)

(2) You discover through your own research that
there are hundreds of options for addressing the
problem.

(3) You start experimenting with one approeach or
another and determine what works for you.

(4) You become hopeful, launch out into the world
and begin feeling better.

I prefer the second approach, but I am a little
biased.  When it comes to identifying therapies
for Parkinsons Plus, only your neurologist can
offer suggestions. I do not concern myself with any
specific diagnosis because I am not a medical doctor
and I find the alternative approach to offer the opportunity
for healing.

Where do you find out about the hundreds of
options? One place is right here: Parkinsons Recovery.
I interview people who have the
most interesting and helpful suggestions for
treatments. I have been overwhelmed by the
number of therapies and approaches people have
tried that are helping.

The fun part is to review the options and
determine which ones you want to try on for
size. Keep experimenting and you will find
therapies that will help give relief from
symptoms.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© Parkinsons Recovery

Treatments for Tremors

What are some treatments for tremors?

Norma

I am very hesitant to provide a listing of all the treatments and therapies people have toldtreatments for tremors me help to relieve their tremors. Why? After all – putting out such as list would impress everyone, wouldn’t? This guy has great suggestions people would say. Well – maybe.

I do offer suggestions in my books by way of reference, but the problem I have with providing specifics is that I know little about your actual situation. The question itself hits up against the strategy of masking symptoms rather than identifying the root cause.

When there are tremors – as in your case – your body is sending you a strong message that something is seriously out of balance.
Perhaps the imbalance involves exposure to toxins.
Perhaps it involves a past trauma that is unresolved.
Perhaps it involves living a stressful life that offers your body little relief from a continuous adrenaline rush.
Perhaps it is due to an insufficiency of certain substances the body needs to create energy.

There is a long list of possible causes.

I think the better questions to ask first are:

  • Why is my body sending me this strong signal?
  • What is causing my body to react as it is reacting now?

There are indeed a long list of possible answers to these questions. How do you find the answers to these questions?

A variety of assessments are available to you that can provide rich information about any and all imbalances in your body. These include (among others) bioenergetic testing, saliva tests, voice analysis, hair analysis to ascertain the presence of toxins and a wide variety of standard medical tests.

Health care practitioners have creative ways to ascertain the root cause using muscle testing.

In summary, I would say in response to your question that yes – it is certainly possible to mask a tremor with a wide variety of approaches including prescription medications, natural herbs and exercise. With most such treatments (other than exercise) more and more dosage is needed over time to get the same effect. You ultimately wind up creating more problems for yourself as the imbalances become more pronounced.

Why not ask a different set of questions here?

What is the underlying cause here?

What is my body telling me in the moment?

Once you figure out the answer to these questions you can find a treatment or therapy that will address the cause. With this approach masking the tremor becomes irrelevant.

I have developed an online course called tame tremors which presents classes on dozens of natural treatments. Once you identify the likely cause, you have a rich source option to choose from.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

 

Stiffness Remedy

I just got off the phone w a man in his early 50s. He called to ask me if I ever came across someone who went the holistic route and also found that medication made things worse. And if so, if there is a holistic stiffness remedy that might help. 

He feels his symptoms (namely stiffness) gets worse by the day. He believes the medication makes it worse. Yet, he says he can only manage 8-9 hours  without medication.
He called to ask me if I ever came across someone who went the holistic route and also found that medication made things worse. And if so, if there is a holistic stiffness remedy that might help. 

I don’t have this experience so I thought I would ask you.
Thanks for your questions about the possible side effects of medications and a stiffness remedy.  As for whether his challenges are due at least in part to medications he takes the answer would be maybe. You do not report the actual medication ins the question. If you did here is what I would do:
I would do a quick search on the internet with the name of his medications and the words “side effects”.  Check to see if stiffness is listed.
If the answer is yes. this is a discussion he can have with his doctor. If the answer is no what is the deal here?

I suggest he talk with his doctor about a magnesium supplement to address his stiffness remedy. That might well be a simple solution to a troubling problem. Posted below is an interview with Carol Dean, an international expert on magnesium. Most people are have a significant  deficiency.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

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