Archive for February, 2011

Feb 27 2011

Brain Plasticity and Parkinson’s Disease

Published by under plasticity

Robert, here is another interesting neurological phenomenon. As I have written before, I am a long time weight lifter and cyclist, which I continue in spite of my PD symptoms. Recently, I was convinced to try skipping rope as a speed, balance, and coordination adjunct to my workouts. Having not skipped a rope for more than thirty years, I was somewhat dismayed to find that I simply could not do it. I just could not coordinate the action of arms and legs and rope to do even one jump over the rope.

Not to be that easily defeated, I determined to “retrain my brain” to skip rope. Each day in the gym, after my regular workout, I spend about ten minutes devoted to rope skipping. The first time I was able to do it, I got up to 5 skips before failing. The next day I did ten, and the next fifteen, and so on, so that after only ten days I was able to do 50 continuous skips; after about two weeks now, I not only do 50 continuous skips, but 50 “step throughs”, and even up to 20 or so high speed skips. This amazes me because what was un-learned over thirty years could be re-learned in just a few days, in just about the same amount of time that it takes a kid to learn it in the first place.

It makes me think that we grossly underestimate and under-utilize our brains. There are millions of unused neural pathways just waiting to fill in for any that may be out of order or overused or abused for whatever reason. It also puts the lie to the conventional notion of “inevitable and continuous degeneration” that is associated with PD. That concept is the primary impediment to continuous re-generation and learning that are the natural condition of the brain (even an injured or malfunctioning brain).

Brad

One response so far

Feb 23 2011

Dublin Marathon Project

Published by under Exercise and Parkinson's

Lawyer Maggie Mullarney, diagnosed with Parkinson’s January 2004, is currently training for the Dublin Marathon 2011 to raise awareness about the benefits of exercise for people with Parkinson’s or any other neurological challenges. Check out her awesome blog:

http://move4parkinsons.blogspot.com/

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

No responses yet

Feb 22 2011

Voice Analysis Reveals a Groundbreaking Discovery about Dopamine and PD

Published by under Dopamine,voice analysis

Everyone who attends the Parkinsons Recovery Summit March 7th will have the opportunity to get a voice analysis done which will reveal a comprehensive view of the sources of imbalances in your  body.What is a voice analysis and how can it help you get well?

Listen to my radio show this week with Sharry Edwards who has been working with bioacoustic technology for 30 years. Her approach for analyzing the harmonics of the voice makes it possible to ascertain many levels/layers of causality that conventional medicine has not been able to discern.

The good news does not stop here. Sharry Edwards has now had a chance to analyze the vocal matrix frequencies of the four volunteers from the Parkinsons Recovery Radio from last month’s show who volunteered to have their voice frequencies analyzed.

Her analysis showed that one particular element of the dopamine biochemical cascade came forth as the clear pivotal protein for activating dopamine. I believe her  preliminary findings will fast forward research light years ahead.

You can hear Sharry discuss her findings by connecting to her live presentation at 3 pm pacific time (6 pm eastern time) Wednesday, February 23rd. You can also get any and all questions answered  by connecting to the presentation through your computer. And, you may be able to see the actual results of an analysis done on your own voice.

The invitation from Sound Health follows.

Topic: Sharry on Parkinsons Recovery
Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Time: 6:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time (New York, GMT-05:00)
Meeting Number: 739 538 595
(Note – this is not a telephone number -
You must access the presentation through
your computer, not your telephone).

Meeting Password: test
——————————————————-
To join the online meeting (Now from mobile devices!)
——————————————————-
1. Go to https://soundhealth.webex.com/soundhealth/j.php?ED=143367992&UID=0&PW=NYWUwN2E0ZWE0&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D
2. If requested, enter your name and email address.
3. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: test
4. Click “Join”.

To view in other time zones or languages, please click the link:
https://soundhealth.webex.com/soundhealth/j.php?ED=143367992&UID=0&PW=NYWUwN2E0ZWE0&ORT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D
——————————————————-
For assistance
——————————————————-
1. Go to https://soundhealth.webex.com/soundhealth/mc
2. On the left navigation bar, click “Support”.

Informational contact: kylie@vocalprofiling.com

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery




No responses yet

Feb 21 2011

Hypnotherapy as Treatment for Parkinson’s Symptoms

Published by under hypnotherapy,Summit

My name is Steve Frison and I’m a certified clinical hypnotherapist serving the Portland Metro area specializing in supporting my client’s medical and clinical needs. One of my clients with PD told me about the work Parkinson’s Recovery Group is doing and the program you’re hosting in Vancouver this March. In particular she mentioned your focus on how thoughts impact illness, which is one of the areas we work with in hypnotherapy.

I’m working with two clients who have a diagnosis of PD and are using hypnotherapy as an adjunct therapy to their doctor’s treatment plan. Both clients have experienced benefits from our work together that they attribute to hypnotherapy. Don’t take my word for it, here’s what one of them had to say…

“A year ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and have been exploring multiple methodologies to alleviate the symptoms. I ‘ve had several sessions with Steve and have been very impressed with his listening skills, his ability to guide me into deeper places of my consciousness, his willingness to hold Presence for me if I need to process an emotion that has been deeply buried for years, and his general attitude of compassion and acceptance. A very special bonus is that following each session, Steve creates an MP3 especially formatted with the client’s personal hypnotherapy suggestions, providing an invaluable tool to further the work. The results I’ve experienced after two sessions include improved posture, increased mobility of shoulders, increased motivation to exercise and do yoga, increased strength and vitality and I feel more calm, content, and trusting.

I just had my second session with my chiropractor who has been working for months to open up my shoulders and upper thorax in order to improve my posture. She reports that since I’ve been receiving hypnotherapy, she feels like she’s working on a different body. Today we were able to stretch in ways that have eluded me for the past two years and I think I left her office about 3 inches taller. This is directly related to the subconscious re-programming experienced through the hypnotherapy and I’m really excited about this work. My results have been so good I’ve recommended Steve to my Parkinson’s support group.”

Judith Kahealani Lynne, Portland OR

Last November I spoke to the Supplemental and Alternative Therapy Support Group about the use of hypnotherapy as an adjunct therapy for PD. I taught everyone self-hypnosis to improve relaxation and reduce stress and provided a free self-hypnosis CD to everyone containing suggestions that:

  • Reaffirm that they are not their diagnosis
  • Improve mental acuity and decision making
  • Feel more passionate, joyous and motivated about their life
  • Move freely and easily with confidence and comfort
  • Remember how to move the way they did before the onset of the disease
  • Improve the depth and quality of their sleep
  • Reduce and relax their muscles
  • Balance and return their neurotransmitters to optimal levels
  • Strengthen the immune system and improve its ability to differentiate between the body’s cells and viruses, bacteria and abnormal cells.

Steve will be offering the same session for free at the Parkinsons Recovery Summit March 7th. Why is he doing this for free? Here is his answer:

First of all, one of my friends has PD and I’ve watched her struggle with the disease. Her courage and resilience has touched my heart and it’s motivated me to help. Secondly, I spent most of my life as a high-tech executive making money for others and it’s time to give back. Sure there is a chance that some people may want to continue with private sessions but frankly, I don’t care whether they do or not. Over the past 5 months I’ve offered my services pro bono to more than 60 clients. Like I said, it’s not about the money.

You can find for more information about hypnotherapy and Steve’s practice at www.mindsighthypno.com.

Steve Frison will be offering free self-hypnosis training sessions at the Parkinsons Recovery Summit on Monday, March 7th.  Don;t miss this one in a lifetime opportunity!

http://www.summit.parkinsonsrecovery.com

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

3 responses so far

Feb 18 2011

Meet Pioneers of Recovery at the Parkinsons Recovery Summit

Published by under Summit

The Parkinsons Recovery Summit is a unique opportunity to experience an impressive array of therapies that are helping persons with Parkinsons find relief from their symptoms. When I say experience – I mean just that. The therapists, health care practitioners and doctors who are attending will not be giving boring power point
presentations. Rather, they will be offering participants the opportunity to experience the various therapies themselves (or will be available to answer all of your questions).

The best part? The Summit is free. It is sponsored by Parkinsons Recovery. Health care practitioners are volunteering their time and expertise. Many of  the guests on my radio show will be attending so you have a golden opportunity to connect with them in person.

Ever wonder whether:

Feldenkrais might offer you relief from your symptoms?
The Summit is your chance. Irene Pasternak will be offering free treatments.

Voice analysis might reveal critical hormonal imbalances in your body?
The Summit is your chance. Shawndeya Costello will do bioacoustic voice analyses

Stem cell transplants might help you?
The Summit is your chance. Dr. Blanca Rameriz will answer any and all questions about her success with stem cell therapy as a treatment for Parkinsons symptoms

Neural Feedback might help you? The Summit is your chance. Dr. Jaclyn Gisburne has been getting phenomenal results using a neural programming technology she has created for people with Parkinsons symptoms. Experience the therapy for yourself.

Dangerous interactions caused by medicines and supplements are causing symptoms?  The Summit is your chance. Compounding pharmacist Randy Mentzer will be available to answer any and all such questions

Hypnotism might provide relief from your symptoms?
The Summit is your chance. Hypnotherapist Steve Frison will teach you how to hypnotize yourself.

Stress and trauma can be released?
The Summit is your chance. Multi-dimensional healer Deborah Russell will be giving free mini healings

Acoustic Sounding can facilitate a relief of your symptoms?
The Summit is your chance. Judith Lynne will offer harmonic healings

Color will facilitate a relief of your symptoms?
The Summit is your chance. Color therapist Arlene Arnold will offer free consultations

Art therapy can help you heal?
The Summit is your chance. Art Therapist Jessie Lyle will show you how.

Ever wonder might be like to actually meet and talk with many of my radio guests, including Karen, Dave, Holly Hughes, John Carlin, Gord Summer, Irene Pasternak, Steve Frison, Arlene Arnold, Jessie Lyle, Dr. Jacyln Gisbourne, Randy Mentzer, Dr. Daniel Newman? The Summit is your chance. They will be there too!

The Summit is an international happening. It is the place to be if you are serious about finding ways to get sustained relief from symptoms you may currently be experiencing. People will be traveling from across the United States, Canada and Mexico for this one day event. If you are serious about finding ways to get sustained relief from your symptoms – the Parkinsons Recovery Summit is the place to be:

When? Monday, March 7th; Registration: 8:30 am
Where? Vancouver, Washington:
Registration? http://www.summit.parkinsonsrecovery.com

The event is sponsored by Parkinsons Recovery. I can’t offer you the guarantee to give your money back because it is free. I can promise that you will be dazzled, delighted and inspired to be in the presence of so many incredible people who are authentic pioneers of recovery.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

No responses yet

Feb 17 2011

Hypnotherapy and Parkinson’s

Published by under hypnotherapy

I tried hypnotherapy about a year ago based on some other theories, but found everything in your broadcast consistent with what I learned.  With only a couple of low-cost sessions, I regained some abilities I had lost.  Whether this is solely attributable to hypnotherapy, I cannot prove (as I did some other things simultaneously, such as removing metalic dental amalgam), but I am satisfied that it has helped me control the “fear”-response (as your guest described what we otherwise call “stress”) better than in the past.  That is one of the beauties of this therapy. It is short term and does not require a great deal of effort to practice, but the results are sustainable.

Thanks for this program. It has helped confirm my belief that a great deal of PD symptoms are bio-emotional, or psycho-somatic, if you will.  When I take an enjoyable vacation, I have found my symptoms to be remarkably reduced, to the point where I require little or no medication for days on end.  Likewise, when I experience even mild emotional trauma (or fear of such), my symptoms present themselves regardless of any level of medication.  This is easy to miss in our modern feverish lifestyles, but it is often noted that whenever a PD person immerses or loses themselves in an enjoyable activity, they tend to “forget” their symptoms until they return once again to a “normal” state of mind.

Brad

One response so far

Feb 17 2011

On and Off Tracking

Published by under on and off tracking

I am the sister of a young onset PWP who has had terrible issues with the on/off cycle. She and I wrote a PD log to help her see what was really happening on a day to day/hour to hour basis. We want to make it available free to the community. There is no cost, we ask for no personal information. I’m hoping you will help me let people know this app is available. People can demo it at www.datadrivenhealth.org. They don’t even have to use their real name! Thanks so much!

Meg

The following are the answers to followup questions that Meg answered about the tracking program:

What an interesting program! Will this always be available to people for free or at some point will there be a subscription required?

It will always be free! PWP have quite enough to worry about on the financial side, as I well know.

Who paid for the design of the system?

I spent 14 years as the Executive Director of a regional parkinson foundation in Kansas City.  During that time I developed a large network of people who were engaged in the fight against PD – among them folks who donated much of their time and expertise to help me develop this site. What wasn’t donated, I paid for myself.  I have plans for other sites along this line – for DBS, restless legs and that sort of thing.

What happens to the data that are collected – who sees it and what happens to it?

As to the data we are collecting, at this point there are no plans for it.  My hope is that if enough people contribute, we will perhaps learn something important about on/off cycles.  We added that after looking at sites like “Patients Like Me,” as we came to understand the great humanitarian value of collective data.

Check out the program if you are currently taking medications and realize there is significant value in monitoring your on and off times.

www.datadrivenhealth.org

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

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

Resources
Vibration Therapy
Dehydration Therapy: Aquas
Parkinsons Recovery Membership
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Eye Drops for Cataracts
Symptom Tracker
Parkinson’s Disease News

No responses yet

Feb 14 2011

Dyskinesia and Symptoms of Parkinsons

Published by under dyskinesia

Question:

This question is in reference to my mother who is 61 years old. She is suffering from Parkinsons for four years. Since last year she is facing a problem of dyskinesia after taking Sinemet.

She tends to stay in bed. After some treatment she can move her left arm. She cannot go to washroom or even take her hand till chest.

I live in Pakistan. She take 6 times dose and cannot even sallow the food and the medicines.

Alam

Response:

I am so sorry to hear about the challenges your mother is currently facing. Dyskinesia is usually related to taking too much medication. I would strongly recommend that your mother ask another doctor for a second opinion.

It sounds to me like her medications need to be adjusted in one way or another. If she can not even swallow the medications, her body is giving her a strong message that something needs to be changed. Perhaps she needs to change medications in consultation with her doctor. Perhaps she needs to reduce the dosage of the medications she is taking now, again with the close supervision of her doctor. Perhaps she needs to begin looking at therapies other than medications. Some people simply cannot tolerate medications in any form.  Her body is telling her that an adjustment needs to be made.

Know that there are also many therapies in addition to medications that can provide significant relief from the symptoms of Parkinson’s. The more often she can get out of bed and move her body in any manner possible, the better she will feel. Any exercise at this point will likely prove to be beneficial.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

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

Resources
Vibration Therapy
Dehydration Therapy: Aquas
Parkinsons Recovery Membership
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Eye Drops for Cataracts
Symptom Tracker
Parkinson’s Disease News

No responses yet

Feb 07 2011

Treatments for Tremors

Published by under tremors

Question:

What are some treatments which relieve tremors?

Norma

Response:

I am very hesitant to provide a listing of all the treatments and therapies people have told 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 of ascertaining the root cause using muscle testing. We teach people how to use muscle testing at our Jump Start to Wellness programs because it is an approach that requires no cost to you.

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.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

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

Resources
Vibration Therapy
Dehydration Therapy: Aquas
Parkinsons Recovery Membership
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Eye Drops for Cataracts
Symptom Tracker
Parkinson’s Disease News

No responses yet

Feb 07 2011

Flea Medication and Parkinsons Disease

Published by under Toxins in the Body

Question:

A few years ago a drop of flea med landed on my wrist as my half wild cat struggled to get away.

Had immediate reaction, shakes, weakness, terrible headache, incoordination.  Couldn’t get off floor until my husband came home and pulled me onto my feet.

ER did lumbar puncture, thinking I had a brain bleed.  Nothing showed.

ER docs discounted that flea med could cause it BECAUSE THERE WERE NO PRIOR STUDIES  ON HUMANS.

Took a few weeks to recover, although my knees had a tendency to weaken for no apparent reason afterwards.

To confirm my suspicions, several weeks later a vet opened a tube of the same flea med across the room from me.  I tasted it immediately, went weak and, of course, ran out of the room.

Recently heard, through my new vet, of person in British Columbia with same reaction.  Am waiting for contact info through her pet’s vet.

Is there a website with demographics or a search application with factors that people dealing with PD may have in common?

I’m a newbie and just began my search.

LE

Response

There is no website that I know of that does such an analysis. As you can see from my requests to post your email – I always post stories from people if I get permission.  I have not had a discussion of flea powder as a toxin emerge however.

Many people know that they were exposed to toxins but do not realize it is likely the factor causing their
symptoms. There is a strong likelihood that the flea pesticide you were exposed to contained pyrethroid. Researchers have found that the symptoms of Parkinsons have been directly linked to exposure to this very specific pesticide.

Now the challenge for you is to identify a detox program that will succeed in releasing the toxin from your body.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

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

Resources
Vibration Therapy
Dehydration Therapy: Aquas
Parkinsons Recovery Membership
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Eye Drops for Cataracts
Symptom Tracker
Parkinson’s Disease News

No responses yet

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