Archive for November, 2010

Nov 27 2010

A New Kind of Walker

Published by under walker

For the past couple of years, I’ve been designing a new kind of walker for people with Parkinson’s or anyone between a walker and a wheelchair. I’ve seen the problem of freezing and experienced it myself when using existing walkers.

I’ve been diagnosed with PD 10 years ago. Most of the time I can walk without any assistance at all, when my meds are “on”. But when I’m in-between doses and my meds are totally off, I quickly find myself unable to walk. This can happen in as little as 15 minutes. I would normally find a secure place and just wait it out. But if I’m gone for the day, I’ll bring my modified walker along. I can move it around folded and open it up when I need it. I can even use it as a normal walker, the seat is removable.

It’s still only a prototype, but it works. I’m having another one built right now that’s simpler in design, easier to open up, lighter and have more room inside. It’s an on going project. I’m hoping a manufacturer will be interested in making it available to the public. It couldn’t hurt.

Thank you,

Max

No responses yet

Nov 24 2010

Parkinsons Recovery Magazine – November Issue 2010

Published by under Parkinsons Recovery Magazine

Claim the November Issue of your Parkinsons Recovery Magazine by clicking on the link below.

Parkinsons Recovery Magazine – November 2010

No responses yet

Nov 23 2010

Dentists in Australia Qualified to Give TMJ Assessments

Published by under tmj

Question:

Hi Robert,

I’ve just listened to Cheryl’s fascinating story. Thank you for making it available

I live in Melbourne, Australia and have been challenged by Parkinson’s since 1998 and now I’m 59. I am a man.

Could you kindly direct me to where I can find a list of dentists providing this retainer device – and specifically the one that Cheryl went to? Or perhaps you could put em in touch with her via email. Thanks. Of course if you have any info about dentists providing this in Australia then of course that would be much appreciated.

Robert thank you so much for your prompt assistance with this request.

Cheers

Marek
Melbourne Australia

Response:

Click on the link below and you will find a listing of  dentists in Australia who are qualified to do the assessment and make the TMJ appliance. There is a listing of one dentist in Melbourne.

http://www.aacfp.org/cgi-bin/loc.pl?3

I have forwarded your correspondence to Cheryl so you can connect directly with her.

My goal for each of my weekly radio shows is to have information that people can act on to get sustained relief from their symptoms. I am so happy to learn that you found this program helpful. Please keep listening!

All programs are archived. You can listen to any program any time or listen live and ask my guests questions by calling in with the toll free number (877) 590-0733 at 3:00 pm central time Wednesdays.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources
Dehydration Therapy: Aquas
Parkinsons Recovery Membership
Parkinsons Eye Problems
Vibroacoustic Therapy
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Symptom Tracker
Parkinson’s Disease News

Books
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Pioneers of Recovery
Five Steps to Recovery

No responses yet

Nov 20 2010

TMJ Misalignments and Parkinson’s Symptoms

Published by under tmj

Question:

HELLO ROBERT:

I WAS TUNED IN TO BLOG RADIO WHEN YOU INTERVIEWED CHERYL RE: THE Dental APPLIANCE THAT ADJUSTMENTS TMJ MISALIGNMENTS. AS MY SON IS A GENERAL DENTIST. I DISCUSSED THE CONTENT OF THE INTERVIEW WITH HER, EVEN THO’ THE SOUND WAS QUITE POOR I WAS ABLE TO GET MOST OF WHAT WAS BEING SAID BY YOUR GUEST.

MY SON WAS QUITE PUZZLED BY THE INFORMATION PROVIDED & WAS UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND  HOW AN APPLIANCE  IN THE MOUTH FOR TMJ COULD  AMELIORATE THE SYMPTOMS OF PARKINSON’S. NEEDLESS TO SAY HE HAS  NOT TAKEN TO HIS LAB TO MAKE ME SUCH A DEVICE (LOL).

CAN YOU PUT ME IN TOUCH WITH A DENTIST DOING THIS WORK WHO KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT PARKINSON’S BUT CAN REVERSE THE SYMPTOMS? I’M ASSUMING YOUR GUEST PROVIDED CONTACT NUMBERS  /  E-MAIL ADDRESSES.

THANK -YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO MY REQUEST.

MYRTLE
COURTENAY, B.C.

Response:

Below is a link that lists dentists in Canada who have the special training and the equipment that is necessary to address TMJ misalignments. It requires special equipment to even do the diagnosis.

http://www.aacfp.org/cgi-bin/loc.pl?6

As for any guarantees – I am afraid there are none. Clearly, Cheryl’s experience is a positive one – though she is in the early stages of recovery. My experience with recovery is that no one therapy of any type will help a person become symptoms free. People who are on a solid road to recovery engage a combination of therapies that address the cause of their current neurological challenges.

It is possible that you do not even have a misalignment – and this therapy would not address whatever symptoms you might currently be experiencing. The primary issue that underlies your symptoms may be toxins or a trauma to a part of your body other than the neck and head.

It seems to me a good idea to at least have an assessment which a general dentist (such as your son) is not qualified to do (as I understand it).

I suggest you try downloading any of my previous radio programs (there are now 85) from itunes.com. Visit itunes. Search in the field on the right top of the page the term “Parkinsons Recovery.” You will then see a link for the Parkinsons Recovery Radio Show that will give you all the listings. Quality of downloads from Itunes is better than the radio show page. Of course – all downloads are free from Itunes (as is the case from the radio show page).

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources
Dehydration Therapy: Aquas
Parkinsons Recovery Membership
Parkinsons Eye Problems
Vibroacoustic Therapy
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Symptom Tracker
Parkinson’s Disease News

Books
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Pioneers of Recovery
Five Steps to Recovery

No responses yet

Nov 19 2010

Dentists who Diagnose and Treat TMJ Misalignments

Published by under John Coleman,radio program,tmj

Question:

I heard your radio show on October 22nd describing Cheryl’s experience with TMJ. I live on Mercer Island, (relatively close to your neck of the woods) and would like to find a dentist with the proper equipment and expertise to do TMJ properly. Can you help me on this? Also, who was her dentist in L.A?

I am 3 years into PD and want to RID myself of this thing!

And, thanks for your help with your show and optimism. I’m a strong believer in John Coleman’s protocol.

Thanks you so much for being there!

Richard

Response:

Click on the link below and you will find a listing of dentists in the state of Washington who are qualified to do the TMJ exam and make the appliance that corrects misalignments:

http://www.aacfp.org/cgi-bin/loc.pl?76

I do not know the name of Cheryl’s dentist in California. I forwarded your e mail to her so that she can respond to you directly.

I love doing the radio show. We have a number of exciting shows scheduled for the holidays. My goal is to have a suggestion in each show that listeners will be helpful to each and every listener. Your encouragement is all I need to hear to keep going strong.

John Coleman, author of Stop Parkin’ and Start Livin’ is a remarkable man in every respect. Having become symptom free himself, he now provides help as a naturopath doctor to hundreds of people with Parkinson’s symptoms.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources
Dehydration Therapy: Aquas
Parkinsons Recovery Membership
Parkinsons Eye Problems
Vibroacoustic Therapy
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Symptom Tracker
Parkinson’s Disease News

Books
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Pioneers of Recovery
Five Steps to Recovery

No responses yet

Nov 17 2010

Sitting Softly In My Soul

Question:

Could you tell me please where I can read that beautiful poem, “Sitting Softly in my Soul” by Heather MacTavish.

Marilyn

Response:

Heather’s beautiful poem is included in the October Parkinsons Recovery Magazine. Click the link below to download the magazine:

October 2010 issue

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

P

No responses yet

Nov 17 2010

Therapies for Day Time Sleepiness

Published by under daytime sleepiness

Question:

Now that the event is over that there’s no way I could attend, could you please tell me what to use to change my white hair to its natural color? I have one of your books, but have not found it since we moved from NC to PA to be near family.

Is there anything I can give my husband that has Parkinsons something to help him from sleeping so much during the day?

Nellie

Response:

For reversing my white hair (which continues to darken) I take four 500 mg of pantothenic acid which is Vitamin B5 and I also take Can-C Plus (which is an anti aging supplement). The Can-C Plus is used by people to expedite the reversal of cataracts who are using Can-C eye drops. Can-C Plus is an anti-aging supplement which infuses the body with more energy.

As for the sleeping problem – there is clearly a depletion of energy at the cellular level. The mitochondria are not generating enough energy.

Please be sure and listen to my radio show next week on Wednesday at 3:00 pm pacific time:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/parkinsons-recovery

Or download the show archive after it has aired. My guest will be  Compounding Pharmacist and Nutritional Counselor  Randy Mentzer. Randy offers a fascinating discussion about what happened to him as he too faced a depletion of energy. In the course of telling his story, he discusses a number of remedies that helped him get a jump start back to health and wellness which will surely be of interest to you and your husband. At a the most basic level your husband’s cells are not getting enough oxygen or water.

Another consideration is the possibility that the medicines he is taking are causing the side effect of day time sleepiness. Check out the side effects of all the medicines he takes. You can always reduce a medication that causes sleepiness in consultation with his doctor. Alternatively his doctor might recommend an alternative treatment for a medication that may be causing him to sleep so much during the day.

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

No responses yet

Nov 15 2010

Difference Between Craniosacral Therapy and Bowen Therapy

Question:

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.

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

No responses yet

Nov 15 2010

What is Bowen Therapy?

Published by under Bowen Therapy

Question:

Do you have an explanation of Bowen Therapy on your website? I would like one please.

Marilyn

Response:

The Bowen Technique involves a gentle, rolling touch over the muscles and tisses of the body with only very light contact. The ‘rolls’ either tighten or loosen muscles depending on the way the move is done.

The practitioner will stimulate sets of meridian points, with pauses, to allow the body to respond to the stimulation. The Bowen Technique releases built-up stress and trauma that has been trapped in the muscles and tissues of the body. Clients describe experiences of profound relaxation after a session, often falling asleep during the treatment.

The Bowen Technique stimulates the stretch and golgi tendon reflexes as well as joint proprioceptors in a way that heightens the sensory awareness of the body in the area worked on. This can lead to strange sensations such as heat release, tingling and a general increased awareness of the areas being worked.

A typical session takes place over 30 to 45 minutes, with occasional short breaks during the session to allow the body to respond to the treatment. Sessions are usually part of a series of three to five sessions, beginning with general stress loading points such as the lower and upper back, before moving on to problem areas specific to the person being treated.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

No responses yet

Nov 14 2010

Dental Appliance Used to Treat Symptoms of Parkinsons Disease

Question:

My wife with works with a woman who has Parkinson’s disease. Apparently this women is going to be going through some sort of treatment with a dental appliance.  It originated in LA, but she is one of 26 receiving it out of Purdue.  Who manufactures this mouthpiece?

Barney

Response:

The mouthpiece is an appliance that is “custom made” by a dentist who has been trained to diagnose and adjust  a jaw misalignment. It is not a device that is manufactured. There is no wholesale off the shelf “standard” appliance that is available currently.

A dentist (who must have special training and equipment to diagnose a jaw misalignment) does a diagnosis to determine if a misalgnment exists. In rare cases surgery is recommended. If a misalignment is found, an appliance is made which the user wears during the day. The dentist does regular adjustments every week in the beginning. The treatment is similar to getting braces.

You can find more information by visiting the October 22nd posting here on the Parkinsons Recovery blog. I have posted a link to a video that explains the nature of the misalignment and a link to a listing of dentists qualified to perform the diagnosis and treatment on that post. You have to scroll down this page – then click previous to access the page.

You can also listen to my radio show interview with Cheryl which aired last month. Cheryl talks in detail about the immediate relief of symptoms she has experienced from wearing the appliance which she obtained from a dentist in California. You can visit the Parkinsons Recovery radio show page by visiting:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/parkinsons-recovery

Scroll back to my show with Cheryl.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources
Dehydration Therapy: Aquas
Parkinsons Recovery Membership
Parkinsons Eye Problems
Vibroacoustic Therapy
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Symptom Tracker
Parkinson’s Disease News

Books
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Pioneers of Recovery
Five Steps to Recovery

No responses yet

Next »