Natural Options to Reverse Parkinsons Symptoms

Month: June 2009

Music for Parkinsons

Alan gave me permission to post his email which follows about music for Parkinsons.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

I have a little experience with music therapy. Last Winter, I happened to meet someone who studies music therapy, and he believed that it can help any condition. I did a little search on this and found that lively music is good for people with Parkinson’s. This particular article said not to expect results right away.

I found a radio station that had lively music most of the time and listened in the car for a few months. That was a start but not a very satisfactory one because I didn’t enjoy the music. Then, someone gave me a CD of dulcimers and string band, which I liked and found delightful. Perfect music for Parkinsons as I saw it. Much of it is “toe-tapping”, so I would want to tap my foot, my left foot, which is my affected side, drawing forth a response.

I believe that the tapping got better over time because it was uncomfortable at first, and then it gradually became more fun. My neurologist had given me an article about music and Parkinson’s. It made one point: that the responses to music are spontaneous, and that the “letting go” response is different from the attempt at conscious effort. People with Parkinson’s can get up and dance when asked (if they like dancing), whereas the same people might have difficulty doing many things.

I did some conscious toe-tapping in the car to the dulcimer music, but it was better when it “just happened,” giving that automatic response some exercise. One of my neurologist’s tests is lifting the (left) heel off the floor rapidly. I did that better for him on my last visit, and we both noticed that I did it more strongly and more easily. Thanks for always emphasizing symptoms instead of a disease.

I received encouragement today on my walking. For the last two times going out, I noticed some “going back” of my left arm as well as the little bit forward. The back swing was new. Today, some REAL forward motion, that I did not produce, kicked in.

I so appreciate the doors that you have opened to me.

Alan

Parkinson’s Supplements

You must be most certainly aware of Dr. Mukesh Paneri,an ayurvedic doctor from Ahmedabad, India. His website is www.drpaneri.com who I understand treats patients with Parkinson’s supplements and diet. 

He claims to have cured more than 50 patients from Parkinsons Disease and 122 well on their way to recovery. I would like to know how genuine and authentic are his claims before progressing further. I am eagerly waiting for your reply.

Srinivasan

I have been trying to arrange an interview with Dr. Paneri for a year but I have thus far not succeeded. I have talked with several people who have received his treatment. Results of my investigations to date are reported in my book, Pioneers of Recovery.

This is the first I have heard that he reports specific numbers of persons who are symptom free. It would be wonderful if he is now meticulously tracking the recovery of his patients.

My own feeling about “cures” is that no one else cures us of anything. We cure ourselves. I do know from my interview with Nathan Zakheim (who reports a full recovery from Dr. Paneri’s treatments in Pioneers of Recovery) that Dr. Paneri uses an Ayurvedic approach which requires a very strict dietary intake of food. His treatment involves much more than simply taking herbs or supplements which he sends his patients from his clinic in India.

He is the fifth generation in his family of people who have worked with people using supplements for Parkinson’s and diet. You are clearly dealing with someone who has intimate knowledge of the symptoms. I understand that he does consultations with his patients by phone.

I do not know whether the claims you report above are “valid” or documented. I have talked with people who have used his services who report feeling better as a result. I suspect that like all possibilities, some people respond favorably to his therapies and some do not. I have no direct evidence to this effect. I only have results of my own investigations on many other therapies and treatments.

Everyone has to find the path of recovery that works for them. I have not found a therapy yet that has a positive impact on everyone. I do know that if you commit to working with Dr. Paneri, you have to have a strong commitment to get better and you must be willing to make significant changes in your diet and life style. I suspect a reason people do feel better is because they begin to watch the food they eat much more mindfully.

If you decide to receive his treatments, please let us all know how it turns out! We would all love to hear from you.

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

Life with Parkinsons Disease

I tuned into the recorded version of your interview with Leif who discussed his life with Parkinsons disease. I could not listen to it for very long as the part where he experienced much difficulty moving around and talking, and when he apologized– it really bothered me. So I exited the show.

I can honestly say that he dashed my hopes somewhat. I felt somewhat frightened and depressed. I was hoping to hear the voice of the motivated, and strongly positive author, “Leif”. Didn’t expect ‘off times”. It recalled to me the supposed later stages of this condition, and of how dreary a future this condition could prove to be for me. ( Now maybe I should have stayed on line and listened to all — but I couldn’t.)

However a good thing. It re- emphasized to me how very important it is for me to listen to my own body and deal with it day by day, and not fixate on what may/may not happen to me in the future, down the road. Each case of Parkinsons Disease seems to be different depending on so many influencing factors. Everyone seems to go through this neurological condition differently.

Now for me after my diagnosis in’ 98, I am fairing well, all things considered. But it takes effort to stay well and it takes time, and it takes attitude! I used to receive mail from the Parkinson’s organizations here, inviting me to attend meetings having to do with: falling, drooling, freezing, depression, suicide, support for spouses, making a will etc. Talk about gloom and doom. So I unsubscribed to such mail.

I make a practice of staying away from websites, articles, presentations of the same persuasion, because they are not helpful at this time and may never be– who knows. It is just more positive for me to practice and adopt a lifestyle that channels my energy and thoughts in a more positive way, to surround myself with people and circumstances that celebrate life — sunshine, nature, spirituality, music, friends, travel, vegetarian food, exercise, breathing, laughing yoga. Some may say that I have my” neck stuck in the sand” , “to face the music”, “to accept my disease”. I think not.

In the days and weeks following my diagnosis in ’98, I spent many a day and dark hour, dwelling entirely on this “di sease”. I found myself buried in a very dark place, a deep hole, thankfully I was able to crawl out. I never wish to return there!

So sorry( my opinion), that Leif experienced ‘off times’ during his talk, because he had a wonderful message to convey. I did read some excerpts from his book, and I do share in, and believe in much that he writes. Now maybe the rest of the show was entirely different, but….

Just someone sharing her thoughts having and dealing with” Parkinson’s” recovery.

Linda

What a fascinating report of your reaction to my life with Parkinsons disease interview with Leif this week. at the time of the interview Leif had Parkinsons for 21 years. He leads a very full, rewarding, happy and joyful life. Since being diagnosed with Parkinsons he has started his own business which has become very successful. Parkinsons has transformed his life. A replay of my interview with Leif follows:

Your experience listening to the interview is a true testament to how easy it is to be sucked into the dark and dreary negative belief template about Parkinsons that continues to linger out there in the ethers. As you so eloquently describe, it is so easy to be trapped by the negative belief template. Crawling out of it can sometimes feel like the challenge of breaking out of jail.

I think the actual experience of listening to my interview with Leif patterns your same experience over the years since your own diagnosis eleven years ago. Deep depression initially followed by a determination to engage the activities that help you feel great everyday. You are probably wondering what happened in the second part of the interview?

Leif took a mere ten minute break in the interview to meditate by breathing and grounding. His symptoms vanished. When you hear the second part of the interview you hear a voice of strength and power (though of course English is not his native language). It is a true testament to the reality that by setting his intent to move out of fear and paying attention to his body, his symptoms vanished in a flash. Healing happens in the moment. You do not have to wait years.

His symptoms were up during the first ten minutes of the interview because it was a stressful experience. After all, he was not just have a friendly chat with me. The interview was being recorded. Thousands of people will hear the interview. Once he was able to relieve the stress of doing the interview, all of his symptoms resolved.

Listening to the process of my interview with Leif who discussed his life with Parkinsons disease is really the same experience you have had over the years as you successfully were able to shift from being trapped in the belief template of fear into a belief template of health and wellness. You both are doing quite well indeed now, but it was also a struggle for both of you in the beginning. I suspect this is a familiar process for many people.

Thanks again for sending in your thoughts. You have helped so many people by telling us all about your own experience with Parkinsons.

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

Magnets for Healing Parkinsons

My dentist of many years retired, & I needed dentist shortly before I moved to my present location. When I explained that my unsteady gait was from Parkinsons Disease, he told me that he had cared for his mother who had had Parkinsons Disease. He said he did hours of research & found the most helpful thing was using magnets for healing Parkinsons & good hydration.

He said that he had a patient come in that shook so badly the walls were shaking. He told her of magnets for healing Parkinsons & his research. When she came the next week for a follow-up, he gave her magnets & had her put them on her forearms. He said they had to be pretty strong. He said in about 20 minutes or so her shaking had pretty much stopped. He saw her again about 6 months later, & she had a new car & was able to return to a fairly normal life. I assumed she was still on medications, but the tremors had stopped. He told me to find the info on the Internet, or he & his wife would even make the 2 hour drive to my new location to tell me more about it. I do not find that much about magnets helping PD.

Do you know where to find more information? Or do you know of anyone else having a good experience with them? When I left, he repeated to keep the magnets on the forearms & stay hydrated.

Sylvia

This is the first report of magnet use I have received. What an interesting story! Too bad you do not have the specifics. I could interview the people involved on my radio program.

First, I do hear over and over from people with Parkinson’s symptoms that good hydration makes a big difference. Some people are getting good results from taking a homeopathic treatment that was designed to help their bodies become better hydrated called the Aquas.

Second, magnets for healing Parkinsons alter the field which surrounds the human body. I do know there are companies which promote magnets as a device to clear blockages in the human energy field and thus help to restore energy and heal illness. I do not have any evidence from people with Parkinsons on the effectiveness of such devices.

I do know that the many forms of energy healing (reiki, healing touch, energy healing, acupuncture, etc.) also help to clear blockages in the human energy field. Magnets are one approach to achieving this same goal.

The problem as I understand it is that if you get the poles reversed when you apply the treatment, the treatment can backfire. Instead of opening chakras and clearing the blockages, the chakras can shut down and blockages can be solidified. I have heard Barbara Brennan (a famous healer) warn against use of magnets because of the pole reversal problem. Apparently, use of magnets can either work big time or backfire big time.

I have an intuition that in the years ahead, such machines will be much more sophisticated than today. I can also add that of the many therapies that we now know help give symptom relief, I know of no therapy that helps everyone. Just because it might have helped someone else does not mean necessarily that it will help you out.

Anyone out there have any experience with magnets as a treatment option for Parkinsons? Let us hear from you!

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

Resources for Recovery

I am so glad to have found your website! I came across it through Google last week and have subscribed to your daily newsletter and have received 3 so far! They are awesome! How can I access other resources for recovery 

I have a diagnosis of early PD. Very early. But I am intrigued by the power of the mind to handle my recovery and total deliverance and healing from symptoms and PD! I am young in my quest. Can you please tell me how or where I might find your thoughts on how this works? You know, putting into practice whatever is necessary for my body to begin healing itself? What is the process? What other parts need to happen?

I am anxious to learn more. Can you please direct me, help me?

Thank you so much for all you do!

Beverly

Thanks so much for your thoughtful letter. It makes my day! You will find a constant stream of support for your recovery at Parkinsons Recovery. There are numerous resources for recovery to support your journey down the road to recovery.

In addition to the blog and newsletter I have also developed online courses that address specific topics. For a listing and information about each course, visit: Parkinsons Recovery Courses

If you are a reader, there are several books that address the therapies and approaches that support a successful journey down the road to recovery. In particular, Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease and  Pioneers of Recovery. I have published one book which address the underlying issue of transforming thought forms which is entitled Five Steps to Recovery.

Always remember that the body does know how to heal itself. It is truly the miracle of all miracles.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

What Supplements Should I Take?

 

I’VE TRIED ALMOST EVERY THERAPY & TREATMENT OVER THE PAST 5 YRS, BUT THAT DARN PD STILL SEEMS TO PROGRESS. THIS INCLUDED TWO STEM CELL TREATMENTS, UCB BY IV OUT OF THE COUNTRY…..IMPROVED OVER 1ST 6 MONTHS, THEM BENEFITS FADED AWAY! WHAT SUPPLEMENTS SHOULD I TAKE. WHAT SUPPLEMENTS SHOULD I TAKE? WHICH ONES HAVE YOU FOUND TO HELP THE MOST?

 

Compounding Pharmacist Randy Mentzer offers a rich answer to this question which turns on your diet, exercise and medications you take. He also offers a preview of tests that can determine which supplements might be beneficial.

The challenge, as Randy so eloquently expresses, is that every one’s needs differs. That is a real bummer to be sure. I think the trick is to learn how to connect with your body. The body is giving us the information about what it needs, we just have to listen. The other key is to be very mindful of what we put into our body as fuel.

The benefit of medications is that they offer temporary relief for some. The downside is that their use depletes certain essential vitamins over time. You do not mention whether you take medications, but if you do. please talk with your doctor about taking B vitamin supplements as well as CoQ10.

I record weekly meditations where I address the challenge of connecting with our bodies.  New meditations are posted on the membership site every weekday. Discover more information about Parkinsons Recovery membership here: https://www.parkinsonsrecovery.com/parkinsons-recovery

I contend that with a little practice and perseverance, we all can learn to listen to our bodies. When we listen, our bodies tell us what fuel they need.

MY WIFE HAS TRIED A LOT, BUT I WAS UNABLE TO ASSESS THEIR EFFICACY…AT LEAST IN REDUCING PD SYMPTOMS. THERE ARE SO MANY SUPPLEMENTS OUT THERE, IT CAN DRIVE US BATTY!

We have had the same experience with clients we work with. They get a lot better and can revert back to a previous level (not usually to the original level – but there are set backs).

The secret in the long run is not so much taking certain supplements, but the transformation of thoughts that are not in your best and highest good. It you believe, even unconsciously, that your health is  destined to deteriorate, it will.
Transform those negative thoughts and turn around a condition that might be troubling.

I think it is most beneficial to work at the core level of thoughts and to acknowledge how they have a direct impact on symptoms. Think of this as working at the core level – at how certain negative thinking that sustains symptoms. I introduce ways to transform thoughts in my book Five Steps to Recovery which is available on Amazon.

The root barrier to recovery turns out to be certain core thoughts that hang recovery up. Of course, the seed thoughts are usually unconscious which makes releasing them the trick of it all. The true healing comes with embracing restorative statements that resonate with you.

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

Orthostatic Hypotension

I am really interested in the Aquas with reference to my blood pressure issues that I continue to wrestle with. Do you know anyone else with PD that has orthostatic hypotension?

As I understand it, approximately 10 % of PD patients have orthostatic hypotension which, incidentally, is a big fat problem and treatment for sucks due to lack of interest I suppose. I have some theories – for me I believe it is due to medication as well as long term stress and anxiety leading to Adrenal issues. As you know, the adrenals are key in regulating blood pressure. J.B.

Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in blood pressure during relatively quick changes in body position that occur; for example, when shifting from a sitting position to a standing position. You ask if I know of anyone else with Parkinson’s Disease who has this problem.

I have seen every imaginable symptom a person can possibly have who has a diagnosis of Parkinson’s. So, the answer is yes and my answer would be yes to virtually any symptom anyone could list.

I totally concur with your assessment of the problem. A huge factor that contributes to the symptoms of Parkinson’s is stress. This is well documented in the literature and confirmed through my own Pioneers of Recovery interviews.

The adrenals are responsible for the production of adrenaline which our body requires to help regulate blood pressure and help us cope with stressful situations. When stress runs rampant throughout our body our adrenals become exhausted, literally. They poop out and are no longer able to perform their job adequately.

The resolution lies in bringing the adrenals back on line with proper diet and exercise. Specific supplements can be very beneficial to healing adrenal dysfunction. A daily meditation practice can also help.

The Aquas are a homeopathic approach that was designed to hydrate the body. It is logical to conclude that blood pressure abnormalities will be ameliorated in a body that is better hydrated. There is no specific research evidence to prove this is the case when using the Aquas. However, it seems to be an obvious benefit to good hydration.

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