Natural Options to Reverse Parkinsons Symptoms

Month: February 2011

Brain Plasticity and Parkinsons

Brad gave permission for me to post his comments about brain plasticity and Parkinsons which follow.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

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 is a connection between brain plasticity and Parkinsons. 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

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

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is an alternative therapy that uses guided relaxation, intense concentration, and focused attention to achieve a heightened state of awareness, or a trance-like state. In this state, patients may be more receptive to suggestions, helping them alter certain behaviors, manage stress, or address psychological challenges.

Here are some ways hypnotherapy might help people with Parkinson’s disease:

1. Hypnotherapy helps Manage Stress and Anxiety:

Parkinson’s can often be accompanied by anxiety, stress, or depression. Hypnotherapy can help manage these psychological symptoms by promoting relaxation, reducing the body’s fight-or-flight response, and enhancing coping mechanisms. The deep relaxation induced in hypnosis may also help alleviate the mental strain that often accompanies chronic illness.

2. Improving Sleep:

People with Parkinson’s disease often struggle with sleep disturbances due to motor symptoms (like tremors and rigidity) or other factors such as pain and medication side effects. Hypnotherapy may improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety, and helping individuals develop better sleep habits or mental techniques to ease into sleep.

3. Pain Management:

Chronic pain is another common symptom of Parkinson’s disease, and while medication can help, it may not completely resolve pain or could cause side effects. Hypnotherapy has been shown to help some people manage pain by altering the perception of pain or increasing pain tolerance through relaxation and focused attention techniques.

4. Improving Movement and Motor Function:

There is some evidence to suggest that hypnotherapy may help improve motor functions and motor control in certain cases. The mental and emotional state of someone with Parkinson’s can affect their physical movements (e.g., they may be more prone to freezing or difficulty initiating movement). Hypnosis may help individuals visualize smoother movement patterns or reduce some of the psychological barriers to movement, potentially improving motor coordination.

5. Enhancing Emotional Well-being:

Parkinson’s disease often leads to a range of emotional and psychological challenges, including feelings of frustration, helplessness, or depression. Hypnotherapy might help address these feelings by promoting positive thinking, reframing negative thoughts, or facilitating emotional expression and acceptance. This may improve overall quality of life.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

 

Flea Medication and Parkinsons

A few years ago a drop of flea med landed on my wrist as my half wild cat struggled to get away. This minor incident led me to realize there is a connection between flea medication and Parkinsons. 

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

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 received a discussion reporting a connection between flea medication and Parkinsons. Thanks for your email.

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.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

 

TMJ Disorder and Parkinsons Disease

Just listened to your radio show interview with your guest Cheryl  on TMJ disorder and Parkinsons disease.. Makes sense.

Read that general anesthesia during surgery can exacerbate PD symptoms and that spinal anesthesia is recommended.

Think about it…. General anesthesia requires incubation. Jaw is pulled forward (disturbing TMJ joint) and tube is pushed into airway. Here is video:

YouTube player

Told my doctors that shoulder/arm/hand pain and dysfunction I’ve had for over a year is similar to myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome symptoms I experienced 30 years ago from clenching my teeth. Was misdiagnosed then as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Three months of dental appliance cured my pain/dysfunction and I was able to return to work.

Didn’t suspect TMJ disorder and Parkinsons disease this time because I don’t clench anymore.

But, will follow that up and let you know.

There are probably thousands of causes of PD and I’ll have to take them one by one but will never give up.

LE

Like you, I also believe there are many factors that contribute to the neurological symptoms associated with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s. This is clearly what my research reveals. Once you figure out the cause you can address the causes and take action to remedy the imbalance in the body.

All the best

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

 

Insecticides and Parkinson’s Symptoms

Question:

Insecticides……Has anyone had any incidents with anti-flea products?

LE

Response:

Well? I know of no one I have interviewed with a story about how insecticides have affected their neurological system. Perhaps we can interest some people in commenting?

Research clearly shows that the toxins found in insecticides do create many of the symptoms typically associated with a Parkinsons Disease.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery