About Parkinsons Disease

Natural Options that Reverse Symptoms

Page 7 of 37

Ketones for Parkinsons Disease

August 10, 2024 / / 2 Comments

William Curtis talks about his efforts to understand how ketones for Parkinsons disease have helped with his symptoms. His symptoms surfaced at the age of 45 in the year 2000 and has been instrumental in collaborating with NIH researcher Richard Veech in Washington DC.

What follows are the questions I ask Bill during the interview today on Parkinsons Recovery Radio.

To learn more about the new ketone ester visit this website:
https://www.ketoneaid.com/

What follows is a list of questions Bill answer on the topic of ketones for Parkinsons disease:

How did Parkinsons affect your life?

What led you to experiment with ketosis?

After the ketogenic exercise, what did you do to find out more about how ketosis could help your Parkinsons symptoms?

What is the purpose of fasting?

What is the purpose of the morning fat and coffee mixture?

What happens when you eat too much carbohydrate?

What happens when you eat too much protein?

Can exercise take you out of ketosis?

Can stress take you out of ketosis?

What supplements do you take to support ketosis?

What do you think is causing the improvement in symptoms?

Have you been able to cut back on the Parkinsons medications?

What do you think is going on as far as the disease progression you personally are experiencing?

Where do you think the use of ketosis in Parkinsons is going?

What is a Ketone Diet?

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, limited protein and carbohydrate diet that encourages the body to burn fat.  When we eat carbohydrates, they convert to glucose which is the primary fuel for brain function. When there is little to no carbohydrates that are ingested, your liver converts fat into and ketone bodies. The ketones become natural food for your brain rather than using glucose as an energy source.

Ketones can also be produced by the body when you eat a high fat diet. A cocktail in the morning consisting of a drink composed of coffee, butter, whipped cream and coconut oil (and/or MCT oil) is used by some persons with Parkinsons who pursue a ketone diet. The body uses the fats to product ketones.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
https://www.parkinsonsdisease.me
Olympia, Washington

 

Essential Oils for Parkinsons

August 10, 2024 / / 44 Comments

Last Friday I interview Jean Oswald fromessential oils for Parkinsons
Rochester, New York who is a certified
aroma therapist and a registered nurse.
Jean provided a wealth of useful information
about how essential oils for Parkinsons can be used to
provide relief from its symptoms.

Essential Oils for Parkinson’s that Offer Symptom Relief

Here is her answer to two of my questions:

What if an individual has problems with rigidity of their muscles and it is very difficult for them to move with ease. What is an essential oil that might help relieve that particular symptom?

There are a few essential oils that could
be most beneficial for muscle rigidity.
Essential oils like Cedarwood, Frankincense
and Sandalwood are high in Sesquiterpene.
They cross the blood brain barrier. They are
going to be carrying more oxygen throughout
the body and helping with firing neurons and
relieving neurological symptoms.

Muscle rigidity in connection to that is
helped by Marjoram essential oils which are
very relaxing to the muscles and Basil which
is an anti-spasmodic.

Use them in a massage or put them directly
on the skin over the spine, on the soles of
the feet and specifically on areas of the skin
where the tension itself is present in the muscles.

I would recommend a blend, a lotion that
combines the Marjoram, Basil and other essential
oils.

How about the problem of tremors? What essential
oils for Parkinsons tremors might be recommended to relieve that symptom?

I would say Basil or Frankincense, the
anti-spasmodic oils.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© 2024 Parkinsons Recovery

High-Dose Thiamine: A Novel, Promising Therapy for Parkinson’s disease

August 8, 2024 / / 12 Comments

High Dose ThiamineParkinsons Recovery is dedicated to identifying promising new therapies that offer the promise of reversing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. One such therapy, High-Dose Thiamine, was discussed on Parkinsons Recovery Radio by Italian neurologist Antonio Constantini MD. He has been prescribing High Dose Thiamine as a treatment for his Parkinson’s patients with good success. Click on the pointer to hear the replay.

Brief Summary of the Q&A Follows

What Results have Your Parkinsons Patients Experienced?

It depends in part on whether the person has been recently experienced symptoms of Parkinson’s or has had them for several years. For the newly diagnosed taking high dose thiamine (whether by oral tablet or injection) reduces motor symptoms on average by 50% to 70% for persons who have recently begun experiencing Parkinson’s symptoms. In selected cases a patient can celebrate experiencing no symptoms. Improvements in motor symptoms are common.

For patients who have experienced symptoms for a long period of time, Dr.Costantini prescribes L-dopa and other more traditional medications. Such patients are also reported to experience symptom relief but results are generally not as dramatic.

How “High” Does the Thiamine Dosage Need to Be?

The recommended dosage varies considerably from patient to patient and is determined only after a medical checkup. Many factors influence the dosage that is prescribed. Possibilities range from 1 gram up to 4 grams a day of Vitamin B1 which is 1,000 to 4,000 times the normally recommended dose.

For some patients requiring the higher doses Dr. Costantini may administer B1 injections of 100 milligrams twice a week for a total intake of 200 milligrams each week of treatment.

Why Do You Prescribe High Dose Thiamine for your Parkinson’s Patients?

When there is a deficiency of thiamine, the result is a dysfunction in
metabolism. For persons experiencing Parkinsons symptoms, Dr. Costantini hypothesized there is a deficiency in the update of thiamine to the brain cells that produce dopamine.

How Quickly Do Parkinson’s Patients Begin to Experience Relief from Symptoms?

If they are taking Thiamine in tablet or powder form, it typically takes 2-3 days to experience symptomatic improvement. When shots or injections are administered the improvement can typically be experienced in 30-45 minutes.

Once a patient begins taking high dose thiamine Dr. Costantini reports that they typically must continue taking it to receive continued benefits. It is possible to take short breaks without incurring troublesome setbacks.

What Conditions Other the Parkinson’s Is High Dose Thiamine Therapy Useful?

Dr. Costantini reports that high dose thiamine is also useful for chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, cluster headaches, migraines and Huntington’s disease.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
https://www.parkinsonsdisease.me

 

 

 

Vicious Cycles of Parkinsons

August 8, 2024 / / 1 Comment

Everyone can be trapped into vicious cycles of Parkinsons when confronted with  escalating symptoms. Here is how the process unfolds.

Symptoms tend to creep up gradually. Little signs pop up here and there – a twitch here or a muscle cramp there. Signs are ignored or dismissed as being minor annoyances. Symptoms gradually become more persistent.

A search is launched for therapies that have the potential to provide relief. The search for relief in itself is stressful. Stress from the search inflames symptoms further. A diagnosis is made which hammers away at the idea that recovery is no longer possible.

The person begins to believe that recovery will never be possible. Since our thoughts affect our health, the next step is obvious.

Other more troubling symptoms emerge. Movement becomes more challenging. Exercise becomes painful. Movement becomes more limited. Without physical exercise symptoms are destined to get worse.

Every day tasks become much more challenging . Hope of recovery begins to hang on a very thin thread.

The problem I have thus been working on is this: How can this vicious cycle be reversed? My answer is simple.

If you can’t exercise your body, you can always exercise your mind. Why not build new neural networks without lifting a finger?

Simply put, you do not have to exercise your body to get the benefits of exercise. Research suggests that you can actually get two thirds of the benefits of physical exercise by exercising your mind (without lifting a finger).

Isn’t that a cool idea? I think so.

We can exercise our mind through memory exercises and guided visualizations. This forms new neural networks. Memory exercises facilitate the body’s ability to make dopamine. As the symptoms subside, physical exercise becomes a viable option.

Presto. You are back on the road to recovery.

I call this approach recovery “Mindwork.” Memory exercises and guided visualizations are being posted on the Parkinsons Recovery member website every week now.  I am asking everyone who is participating in the Mindwork exercises to track their symptoms so we can all get an idea of how the recovery process unfolds when the mind is used as a form of exercise.

The good news is that Mindwork transforms the vicious cycles of Parkinsons. It is fun, non intrusive and safe. The only side effects are improved health on some level.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

 

How Do We Detox our Body?

August 7, 2024 / / 0 Comments

How do we detox our body?

Bev

Your question turns out to be huge indeed. I have used a naturopath doctor in Georgia (who I have actually never met in person), Ivy Faber. Ivy does bioenergetic testing to determine which toxins are problematic. She then recommends the detox protocol to use.

Naturopaths are great resources to help with detoxing. Herbalists have great resources, as are aromatherapists. Some medical doctors specialize in this area. Of course, exercise always helps the body to detox. Colon cleanses can be very useful as well.

In short, there are many possible options available. There are even detox programs that are designed to release specific toxins (like iron or other heavy metals).

I have actually tried different detoxes over the years which were purchased at food co-ops and health food stores. You can always tell if they are helpful because you begin to feel a lot better after several weeks.

Instead of doing a thorough review of alternatives, I ask my body through muscle testing which method I should use for now. The answer is often different depending on when I ask.

Muscle testing is the “quick and clean” method. I do not have to think as hard. I am into making things happen now.

Perhaps my way stems from my impatience. Perhaps I am just lazy. But, muscle testing works well for me and happens to be my way of making decisions about detoxes my body needs.

In the big picture, I think what matters is to acknowledge toxins to be a challenge for everyone. We all need to detox at least every year if not every six months.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Can Parkinson’s Disease Be Reversed?

August 1, 2024 / / 3 Comments

Perhaps you are one among people individuals who have been wondering whether anyone has succeeded in reversing the symptoms associated with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Everyone says the condition is degenerative. Can Parkinson’s disease be reversed? Take a peak at my new video to discover the answer.

Parkinsons Recovery Radio is one of the many free services I support through Parkinsons Recovery. I began hosting guests on the show in 2008. To date, there are over 270 shows that have aired and are available for free replays any time of the day or night. Over seventy (70) of these shows have been interviews with individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease who found ways to reverse some if not all of their symptoms.

The cumulative evidence from these radio show interviews leads me to conclude the answer to the question “can Parkinson’s Disease be reversed” is yes.

The update to my book Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease provides detailed information about these guests and the dates the shows were aired.

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

P.S. Sales of Road to Recovery help to subsidize the expenses to provide replays of all Parkinsons Recovery radio show interviews for free to all listeners.

Can Parkinson's disease be reversed

Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease

Difference Between Craniosacral Therapy and Bowen Therapy

July 28, 2024 / / 0 Comments

What is the difference between craniosacral therapy and Bowen therapy?

Marilyn

Response:

Bowen Therapy:

  • Moves, positions and holds hands, feet, arms or legs into various positions for releases
  • Gently rolls the body or positions the body for releases
  • Focus is on the release if trauma and tension throughout the entire body body

Craniosacral

  • Touch is very gentle – more so than Bowen Therapy.
  • The therapist may work on or off the body
  • Focus is on cranial sacral system – the system that comprises the brain, spine and sacrum.

Differences Between Bowen Therapy and Craniosacral therapy:

The difference between cranial sacral therapy and Bowen therapy depends in large part on the practitioner. Some cranial sacral therapists are more technique oriented. They are trained to move through a standard serious of adjustments.

Other cranial sacral therapists are trained to listen to the person’s body and allow the body to communicate how it needs to release the trapped trauma. There is no standard protocol that is used with any particular patient.

My personal experience with Bowen therapy involved a treatment I received from Naturopath doctor John Coleman and his associate four years ago at a workshop in Tacoma, Washington. Bowen therapy originated in Australia in the 1980’s.

I loved receiving the Bowen treatment from John. It clearly allows for gentle releases of stress, trauma and tension.

Bowen therapy is a wonderful therapy, as is craniosacral. Either one will work for some people and not others. It is more physical than craniosacral therapy, but both can generate similar outcomes. If one therapy does not help you, try the other!

John Coleman recommends Bowen therapy to persons with Parkinsons Disease because it was so helpful to him personally. Some people report back to me who have had Bowen therapy that is indeed the case for them. Others report they did not receive the releases that they had hoped for. Still others report relief is maintained for several days after the treatment, but symptoms tend to return.

Many therapists – whether Bowen or Craniosacral – have extensive training with other modalities. When they begin working – they will employ other modalities as needed in addition to using the techniques associated with cranial sacral therapy.

I suggest that anyone who currently has the symptoms Parkinson shop around for a practitioner who provides the support that works well for you. It is a very personal choice. You might want to try several therapists so you can experience the wide range of treatments that are possible.

An alternative option that merits serious consideration is Breathwork which involves continuous breathing to release trauma. For more information visit: https://breathwork.today

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

Memory Training for Dementia

July 24, 2024 / / 0 Comments

As discussed in my short video, memory training for dementia is a strategy we all need to engage as we age whether our current age is 20 or 80!

Information about the Parkinsons Recovery Mindwork challenges is here:
https://www.parkinsonsrecovery.com/parkinsons-recovery

Below is an abstract from a study that examined the usefulness of memory training for 76 individuals currently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease:

Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2020 Mar;72:13-22. doi: 10.1016. Effects of working memory training in patients with Parkinson’s disease without cognitive impairment: A randomized controlled trial. Anja Ophey , Kathrin Giehl , Sarah Rehberg , Carsten Eggers , Paul Reker , Thilo van Eimeren , Elke Kalbe 

Objective: To determine the feasibility and evaluate effects of a computerized working memory (WM) training (WMT) in patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) on cognitive and clinical outcomes.

Methods: 76 patients with PD without cognitive impairment were randomized to either the WMT group (n = 37), who participated in a 5-week adaptive WMT, or a passive waiting-list control group (CG, n = 39). Patients underwent clinical and neuropsychological examination at baseline, after training, and at 3-months follow-up, with verbal WM and non-verbal WM as primary outcomes. Outcome assessors were blinded for group allocation.

Results: All WMT participants completed the training successfully and reported high levels of motivation for and satisfaction with the training. Repeated-measures, linear mixed-effects models revealed positive training effects for the WMT group compared to the CG in verbal working memory with a small relative effect size 0.39 [95%CI 0.05; 0.76] for the 3-months follow-up only. No other reliable training effects in cognitive and clinical variables were found for either point of time.

Conclusions: In this randomized controlled trial, memory training for dementia is feasible and yielded some evidence for 3-months follow-up training gains in patients with Parkinsons disease. WMT might be an effective intervention to prevent cognitive decline in this patient group.

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

Are EMFs Dangerous?

July 24, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Are EMFs Dangerous or Not?

Are EMFs dangerous or not is the question on everyone’s mind. Research below signals a serious alarm about the dangers of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs)

Curr Alzheimer Res. 2022;19(2):119-132. Low Intensity Electromagnetic Fields Act via Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel (VGCC) Activation to Cause Very Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease: 18 Distinct Types of Evidence. Martin L Pall

Abstract

Electronically generated electromagnetic fields (EMFs), including those used in wireless communication such as cell phones, Wi-Fi and smart meters, are coherent, producing very high electric and magnetic forces, which act on the voltage sensor of voltage-gated calcium channels to produce increases in intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i.

The calcium hypothesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has shown that each of the important AD-specific and nonspecific causal elements is produced by excessive [Ca2+]i. [Ca2+]i acts in AD via excessive calcium signaling and the peroxynitrite/oxidative stress/inflammation pathway, which are each elevated by EMFs.An apparent vicious cycle in AD involves amyloid-beta protein (A?) and [Ca2+]i. Three types of epidemiology suggest EMF causation of AD, including early onset AD.

Extensive animal model studies show that low intensity EMFs cause neurodegeneration, including AD, with AD animals having elevated levels of A?, amyloid precursor protein and BACE1. Rats exposed to pulsed EMFs every day are reported to develop universal or near universal very early onset neurodegeneration, including AD; these findings are superficially similar to humans with digital dementia. EMFs producing modest increases in [Ca2+]i can also produce protective, therapeutic effects. The therapeutic pathway and peroxynitrite pathway inhibit each other.

A summary of 18 different findings is provided, which collectively provide powerful evidence for EMF causation of AD. The author is concerned that smarter, more highly pulsed “smart” wireless communication may cause widespread very, very early onset AD in human populations.

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

Best Therapies to Become Symptom Free of Parkinson’s

July 24, 2024 / / 0 Comments

I have been a subscriber for awhile now and have tried some of the treatments (qigong, dental appliance). I have explored the best therapies to become symptom free of Parkinson’s. Although I’m still not symptom-free I remain hopeful I’ll find something that eventually works for me.

Have you ever polled or collated responses from subscribers to see if, and which of, these methods have also helped them to become symptom-free? Thanks for all you do and for your uplifting spirit!

Mary

Response:

The reference to “subscriber” in Mary’s question above is to the Parkinsons Recovery Membership Program. The program involves an interface with a website that is updated daily with wide variety of information, support and resources that support ongoing recovery. I record meditations every week that are posted, the most recent of which involve mindfulness invitations.

I have had four thoughts after reading your question. I will reflect on each one rather than censoring or editing them!

First, I discovered something fascinating since I began researching how people succeed in reversing their symptoms. Few people actually realize they are feeling better and better. The recovery process is slow and difficult to track. The focus tends to reside on symptoms that are in your face, so few people actually acknowledge and celebrate the progress they are making toward recovery as evidenced by symptoms that do reverse.

I have discovered this observation applies to everyone. If you ask me how I am feeling now when compared to six months ago – my response would be – I do not know. I really do not have have the memory capability to know one way or another. Am I feeling better, the same or worse? I do not have a clue. So what are the best therapies to become symptom free of Parkinson’s? Most people cannot say because they do not track their progress toward recovery.

When you say “although I am not symptom free” I am wondering if you have actually been successful with your recovery process and just have not acknowledged it.

Second, I have an invitation for you. Ask five persons you know who do not have a diagnosis of Parkinsons the following question:

Are you symptom free today?

Ask a family member, a friend, a stranger – whomever you happen to encounter today.
Of course, I can not know the results of your informal survey, but I predict that 4 out of 5 or even 5 out of 5 persons (who do not have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s) will report a symptom of one type or another that is worrisome to them – perhaps fatigue or depression or high blood pressure or mood swings or a back ache or … We all occupy a body which presents challenges throughout our lives.

I would recommend that instead of focusing on symptoms – which triggers a series of low frequency thought forms – focus on what you love to do in your life. Make doing what you love to do happen as frequently as possible.

Third, as for polling my audience – the answer is no. There is a reason. I have discovered in my research that the factors which cause neurological difficulties are truly multifaceted. The therapies that will help you are keyed to the causal factors that happen to be at play for you and you alone.

When I examine the research on the various therapeutic options that are available to people – and there are dozens – the research shows that each and every option results in a positive outcome on average to one extent or another. Some options are much more helpful than others for any individual. The key is to find what options are the most beneficial for you and your body.

No single therapeutic option exists that is the end all – the option that everyone should pursue. People who are recovering pursue multiple options – as are you. Hooray! That approach – pursing a combination of therapeutic options – works well for most people on the road to recovery.

Fourth, having said all of this I have concluded that the best therapies to become symptom free of Parkinson’s are actually quite simple in the long run. The best road to travel for recovery is one that involves

Eating nutritious, organic, live foods,
Avoiding foods that are bad for your body,
Moving your body every day through exercise,
Becoming well hydrated,
Breathing deeply so you oxygenate your body.

Everyone knows these principles of good health are valid. The key is to begin doing it on a daily basis.

I have been recruiting Parkinsons Recovery Radio show guests who offer their unique perspectives on how to help our bodies come back on line. I love this approach because it focuses on the positive (how to become healthy and thus help your body remove the toxins naturally) rather than on the negative (how to eliminate symptoms as you ponder what is not working well in your body).

When we focus on how our body really does not how to come back into balance (which is its natural state) the positive approach and associated thoughts support our recovery. When we focus on what is not working – our negative thoughts about what is wrong impede recovery.

Keep tuning in to hear my interviews with the Parkinsons Recovery Radio Show guests.
Admittedly it takes an hour or so to hear each show, but you will be hearing some remarkable suggestions from truly gifted individuals over the coming months.

I am guessing you have been making superb progress in your recovery program. May you celebrate each and every victory as you continue to manifest all of your dreams for the future.

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

Exercise Offers Relief from Symptoms of Parkinsons

July 23, 2024 / / 1 Comment

I thought you could be interested
in seeing a short segment of my
interview with Mary (not her
real name) who offers high
praise for the benefits of exercise. She
reports exercise offers relief from symptoms of
Parkinsons.

Swimming and exercising makesExercise offers relief from symptoms of Parkinsons
me feel great. And after I take
glutathione I can walk. I will
go through weeks were I walk
everyday at the park and I swim
and then I go through a week
where I do nothing.

I read on your site, I think it was
one of your newsletters, that
tandem bicycling was great for
Parkinsons patients. So, we
go to the park almost everyday
and rent one of those side by side
tandems. My caregiver drives it
and I pedal along. I walk much
better after that.

I do that everyday that I can. Many
times we go down to the beach
and rent the three-wheelers. The
three-wheelers are helpful.

How much time every day
do you spend on your exercise program?”

Like an hour a day. I had a
yoga person tell me that yoga
helps also.

You definitely notice exercise offers relief
from symptoms of Parkinsons?
difference? When you exercise
you feel better and when you
do not exercise you feel worse?

Exactly. Definitely.

What follows is a report from Taube about her experience with exercising:

I have been increasing the intensity of my exercising and I am doing incredibly better. I just read a book called Spark by John Rately that talks about what exercising does for the brain. It is worth reading I recommend it highly. After reading the book I started increasing the intensity of my workouts and I think it has made a big impact on my recovery.

Taube

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

©  Parkinsons Recovery

Chiropractic Adjustments as Therapy for Parkinsons

July 15, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Are chiropractic adjustments as therapy for Parkinsons beneficial or no in the long run?

Recently I found a GENTLE chiropractor & not a “bone crusher” (tried once) & I was convinced to try chiropractic adjustments 3 times / week for neck & back pain.For the last 3 weeks, I haven’t seen any improvement BUT EVERYBODY SAYS IT IS A SLOW RECOVERY COMPARING the same way we wear braces for the teeth.I know the Healing is from the INSIDE OUT as Dr John SARNO explains in his book: the mind body prescription.(Healing the body healing the pain)

I would not place chiropractic adjustments as therapy for Parkinsons in the list of preferred therapies that people with the symptoms say has helped them the most. Some people do report benefit from chiropractic adjustments. I suspect the problem lies in the fact that the muscular restrictions found with many symptoms of Parkinson’s create an inflexibility that makes adjustments painful for many people.

In some cases, the body will respond by tensing up more which of course is the reverse of what the chiropractor intends. Chiropractors who use gentle touch are more likely to get better results.

Every one’s body is different. We cannot make a list of good and bad therapies for people with the symptoms of Parkinson’s because the conditions that create the neurological challenges are different for each person. Listen carefully to how your body responds to a therapy such as chiropractic adjustments. Your body will tell you loud and clear whether the therapy is helping or not.

The best approach I think is to use your own good intuitive insights and give it a try if you are called to explore the therapy as a possibility. I should say however that my research shows there are other therapies that show up more often as beneficial in reducing symptoms.

 

 

Our Deepest Fear

July 13, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Our deepest fear about recovery is,

What happens to my life after recovery? How would I be? Will I be able to work again? Would people think I was faking it?

It was extremely freeing for me to refocus and stay on track after I read about the train story. The train story addressed the what ifs that I needed to throw off the train in order to help the train climb the last few inches over to mountain top.

I had an incredible next 3 days in a row of next to zero freezing. It was so incredible it was scary. I was in this relaxed zone that I can’t describe. I felt happiness.

I’m thinking to myself, that simply changing my thinking as a result of a train story, can have that much power? Thank you for the train story Robert.

Monica

The train story Monica refers to is found in Five Steps to Recovery. As she so eloquently expresses, the real block to recovery is our deepest fear about what we will become, not the fear over what we have become.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we areour deepest fear about recovery powerful beyond measure. It is out light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Marianne Williamson

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Remarkable Story of Recovery from Parkinsons

July 11, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Have been struggling with the ups and downs of recovery? Has your success been terribly frustrating? Check out John Colemans remarkable story of recovery from Parkinsons.

If so, you are not alone. Naturopath John Coleman ND from Australia offers an honestJohn coleman's remarkable story of recovery from Parkinsons account of his journey down the road to recovery which took 3 1/2 years. He is symptom free today. This truly is a remarkable story of recovery from Parkinsons.

John refers to two therapies in particular that were especially helpful to his recovery: Bowen Therapy and the Aquas. More information is provided for each in the links below:

Bowen Therapy
https://www.americanbowen.academy/find-a-bowen-therapy-practitioner

Aquas
https://www.aquas.us

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

Hydration Benefits

July 9, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Below are the questions I asked Jaroslov Boublik PhD, one of the researchers who formulated the Aquas, about how and why hydration benefits healing the body from the inside out.  

  • Why can’t we become better hydrated by simply drinking more water?
  • Why do we become more dehydrated as we age?
  • Why is a well hydrated body essential to eliminating toxins from the body?

    How do the following affect hydration?

Salt
Energy Drinks
Coffee
Alcohol
Milk

  • What are the symptoms of dehydration?
  • Do structured water products facilitate better hydration?
  • Does good hydration help alleviate symptoms of diseases?

    Does good hydration improve:

    • Mental clarity?
      Digestion?
      Make us look younger?
    • Body weight?

For more information about the Aquas visit: https://www.aquas.us

Beliefs about Parkinsons

July 5, 2024 / / 2 Comments

Below are reflections written by a
a woman whose husband has
Parkinson’s who discusses beliefs about
Parkinsons.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

“As the middle of July approaches
I am intensely aware that almost
1 year ago my husband was diagnosed
with Parkinsons Disease. I reflect
back on this deeply emotional year
and am actually surprised at some
of our learning and growth plus
the continuous challenges. And
interestingly, I am also aware
of a new sense of joy and intimacy
in our relationship.

But our year did not begin that way.
I go to a school of healing. One
that teaches that energy follows
thought and physical illness may
be a result of our beliefs. Through
our physical illnesses we have an
opportunity to heal ourselves in
the areas of our lives where we
have previously been stuck or have
held unconscious negative thoughts
about ourselves and our lives.

I was very aware that in my
school the line of thought may be,
‘What is it your husband needs to
learn from having Parkinsons?’ and
indeed a classmate did ask me that,
although in a very loving and concerned
way. What are his beliefs about Parkinsons?

I had read the book by Louise Hay,
You Can Heal Your Life where she
correlates probable beliefs about Parkinsons
to fear and an intense desire to control
everything and everyone. Another author,
Karol Truman, adds to this with
several more possibilities:
lack of inner communication, fear of
not being able to control and not
understanding a fear you have which
stops you from believing in what
you do and say.

I gently asked my husband if any of
these feelings or beliefs resonated
for him but nothing did at the time.
As an outside observer, I was wondering
about the possibility of the lack of
communication with his inner or real
self.

As the year unfolded, a big struggle
for my husband was what to say when
people talked to him about Parkinsons
Disease. Someone once said to him
very sincerely, ‘I am sorry about your
diagnosis’ and my husbands response
was to laugh.

I discussed this with him and suggested
that laughing may have been a way not
to feel a deeper emotion. We also
talked about how his response to illness
is an opportunity to teach others and
help them to connect with their own
vulnerabilities, insecurities and
feelings about illness.

The other day we were invited to a
party and my husband was nervous that
Parkinsons would be discussed. We
decided to do some role playing to help
him come up with some responses.

I said to him (as someone previously did
to me), ‘You know, people with Parkinsons
do not have the tremor when they sleep.
He replied, ‘Oh, have you slept with
someone with Parkinsons? I burst
out laughing. Yes, that would be a
good response to that.

Then I asked him what his plans were
for the future now that he had Parkinsons
and he burst out laughing. ‘I am sorry’,
he replied. ‘It is just too serious a
question not to laugh.

Then I got a little tougher. I said,
‘I am sorry about your diagnosis’ and
he very quietly and gently said, ‘I am
sorry too.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

© Parkinsons Recovery

Vielight Photobiomodulation

July 2, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Visit this link to learn about Vielight photobiomodulation devices. https://www.vielight.com. Call them at 877-355-8012 for more information.

Tell the representative you are a member of the Parkinsons Recovery community and they will credit your order with a 10% discount. Or, if you order on line. enter the coupon code healing4me to claim the discount.

I have interviewed Dr. Lew Lim, the CEO of Vielight, on three different occasions since 2018. At the time of my first interview, we did not know whether persons diagnosed with neurological conditions would benefit from using his company’s devices. Now we do!

Visit the youtube presentation below by Dr. Lew Lim where he provides the science behind photobiomodulation and research findings.

YouTube player

The company still offers the opportunity to use any device for 6 months. If you do not experience the relief you seek, you are invited to return the device for an 80% refund. I know of no other company that offers such a generous warranty.

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

Massage for Parkinsons

June 30, 2024 / / 1 Comment

Is there any evidence or information about the benefits of massage for Parkinsons?

John

What a large question which consumes one tiny sentence! I talk with people with Parkinsons who get massages regularly to help them release stress. To the extent that any therapy helps you release trauma and stress, you can rest assured your symptoms will become less bothersome.

Keep in mind that massage is a general term for many different therapies. People have told me that deep tissue massage is not helpful. The reason? I suspect that it is much too invasive. The body clamps down muscles in response to the intrusion.

If massage is coupled with energy healing (reiki, healing touch, energy healing), the therapist is much more likely to be gentle with the body’s response to the treatment as they invite the trauma and stress to be released. In my own experience. everything depends on the therapist.

I would say this very simply: There is a massage therapist out there in the universe who can be of benefit to you. Your job is to find them. You will know them when you get a first treatment.

So, even if you experiment with a massage and feel it did not help, stay on the lookout for someone else to get a treatment from. You will recognize the right person for you when you see them.

The bottom line is this: If the massage is intended to relax you – it will have benefits. If the massage is intended to release stress and trauma – it too will have benefits.

There is another benefit as well. Asking someone to help you is very therapeutic. I believe we can’t heal ourselves from the traumas of life. We have to ask for help from others. Besides, it is a great gift to give yourself.

What follows is a brief summary of some of the research and current thoughts about massage:

A study on massage for Parkinsons

Parkinson’s disease symptoms are differentially affected by massage therapy vs. progressive muscle relaxation: a pilot study by Maria Hernandez-Reifa, Tiffany Fielda, Shay Largiea, Christy Cullena, Julia Beutlera, Chris Sandersa, William Weinerb, Dinorah Rodriguez-Batemanb, Lisette Zelayab, Saul Schanberc, Cynthia Kuhnc

Abstract

“Sixteen adults diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (M age=58) received 30-min massage therapy or progressive muscle relaxation exercise sessions twice a week for 5 weeks (10 sessions total).

Physicians rated participants in the massage therapy group as improved in daily living activities by the end of the study. The massaged group also rated themselves as improved in daily functioning, and having more effective and less disturbed sleep. Urine samples revealed that at the end of the 10 sessions, the massage therapy group had lower norepinephrine and epinephrine (stress hormone) levels, suggesting they were less stressed.

The progressive muscle relaxation group had higher dopamine levels, which is interesting in that Parkinson’s is associated with a decrease in dopamine. The relaxation group also showed higher epinephrine levels, suggesting that although the relaxation exercises might have been beneficial, some Parkinson’s participants might have found the relaxation technique stressful.”

Age Ageing. 2016 Mar;45(2):299-303. Abdominal massage for the alleviation of symptoms of constipation in people with Parkinson’s: a randomized controlled pilot study

Abstract

Background: constipation is one of the most common non-motor features of Parkinson’s affecting up to 90% of patients. In severe cases, it can lead to hospitalisation and is usually managed with laxatives which in themselves can lead to side effects. Abdominal massage has been used as adjunct in the management of constipation in various populations, but not in those with Parkinson’s.

Objective: the primary objective was to test the recruitment, retention and the appropriateness of the intervention methods and outcome measures.

Methods: thirty-two patients with Parkinson’s were recruited from three movement disorder clinics and were randomised to receive either 6 weeks of daily abdominal massage plus lifestyle advice on managing constipation (Intervention Group, n = 16) or lifestyle advice (Control Group, n = 16). Data were collected prior to group allocation (Baseline), at Week 6 (following intervention) and 4 weeks later (Week 10). Outcome tools included the Gastrointestinal Rating Scale and a bowel diary.

Results: constipation has a negative impact on quality of life. The study recruited to target, retention was high and adherence to the study processes was good. The massage was undertaken as recommended during the 6 weeks of intervention with 50% continuing with the massage at 10 weeks. Participants in both groups demonstrated an improvement in symptoms, although this was not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusion: abdominal massage, as an adjunct to management of constipation, offers an acceptable and potentially beneficial intervention to patients with Parkinson’s.

This website specifically addresses the benefits of massage for Parkinsons:

http://www.integrative-healthcare.org/mt/archives/2007/03/parkinsons_dise.html

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

How Do I Wean Myself Off of Sinemet?

June 28, 2024 / / 25 Comments

I recently found out after 10 years I do NOT have PD. I am trying to get off Sinemet after being on it for 5 years and having a very hard time. I can’t find a single doctor with any experience in getting people OFF Sinemet. The doctor that diagnosed me as not having PD has been backed up by 4 other neurologists. While I have great respect for him I am very worried about NMS or DAWS. My question is How Do I Wean Myself Off of Sinemet?

Since he admits I am a bit of a novelty I am very concerned about his plan to get me off Sinemet in a week. I’ve been tapering very slowly due to debilitating muscle cramps that have torn muscles in my hip and knee. I am afraid this rapid detox while attractive might be fatal if I am living on the edge of DAWS as I suspect I have been for some time.

I would feel much better if I knew of a doctor with experience in weaning people off sinemet. Do you know of any such centers or doctors? I live in central California but can travel.

Thank you.

Laurie

Response to How Do I Wean Myself Off of Sinemet?

I can certainly emphasize with your need to wean yourself off of medication that you do not need. This process takes time and patience. In my research, I recommend a resource who has helped many people wean themselves from one medication or another. Doctors are not trained to help people with such challenges. This is precisely what compounding pharmacists are trained to do. I would thus suggest that you consult with a compounding pharmacist.

A compounding pharmacist will compound a medicine with – say – a 95% potency which you can take for a period of time. If there are no side effects, the potency will gradually be reduced over time – little by little – until you need take none of the medicine. this process may take as long as a year or two. If there are reactions to a reduced potency. Your pharmacist  will increase the dosage, then reduce it more gradually. Compounding pharmacists work closely with doctors as they change the potency of medications for patients.

In summary, you cannot go cold turkey and you cannot get off of the medication within a week. It takes time and patience to wean yourself but it can be done. I suggest you find a compounding pharmacist in your local area and get a consultation.

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

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2024 About Parkinsons Disease

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑