Jan 13 2012

Painting for Parkinsons

Published by under painting,recovery

My guest on the radio show this week was Anne Atkin who has made remarkable discoveries for herself about what helps her get sustained relief from her symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Her radio show interview is remarkable in every respect and I strongly encourage everyone to listen.http://www.blogtalkradio.com/parkinsons-recovery 

Anne was kind enough to send me a copy of her book, Living and Laughing with Parkinsons which I have now devoured. I did not stop reading and laughing until I landed on the final page.

Her book is a thorough and comprehensive review of the symptoms that are associated with Parkinsons and the frustrations that they present. Anne has drawn provocative and very funny cartoons that complement each explanation of a symptom and that embody the many challenges she personally encountered. You can purchase her book (which Anne sends to people to any country in the world) on her website: http://www.anneatkinart.com

Living and Laughing with Parkinsons is a beautifully written and illustrated book  that reveals the work of an incredibly creative woman. Anne points out in the book that the creativity of many people with Parkinson’s soars and blossoms.  Her work soundly confirms this hypothesis. When you see her book you will understand why,

In addition to sending me her book, Anne forwarded a letter she wrote in response to a question about what she has been doing to get relief from her symptoms, Anne gave me permission to post the letter which follow. May this not however be a substitute for listening to her interview which is full of golden treasures for anyone who currently experiences the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com  

I am very careful about how I describe what is happening to me. Recovery is a word that is too strong; I like to think that I have reached an equilibrium and a state of balance with Parkinson’s. I feel that I am always improving some aspect of myself. If you think you have recovered, then you may allow bad habits to come back whereas to keep in balance you have to keep working at it. It all becomes second nature.

Yes, it is true that I no longer use a cane and that has happened because my quad muscles are much stronger and that helps balance. Also, my overall balance has improved because I spend time just practising standing on one leg then the other.

I don’t do hours of exercise because I would be bored silly. I exercise no more than 10 minutes at a time but at frequent intervals. This way I don’t get tired or bored. I do all my own housework, which is also exercise! I love gardening and I will talk about gardening more.

I don’t do anything that is complicated or difficult. Nor do you have to do everything exactly the way I do it. After a while you will find your own pathway and it will feel right and comfortable.

So I use a combination of:

•    creativity
•    socialization- being with people from all walks of life is the way to go. Don’t isolate yourself.
•    humor – develop a sense of humor as laughter is so good for our bodies
•    exercise – and you don’t have to join a gym. There is a great book on exercise for us and it is called ‘Delay the Disease.’ It is by Jackie Russell and David Zid.
•    Mindfulness
•    Wellness   These three are handled beautifully on the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation website
•    Visualization
•    Positive thinking
•    Not giving in to negative thoughts

In everything I do I have a little catch-cry -

‘You’ll never, never know if you don’t have a go.’

You can retrain your brain through thinking positively. It is very important if you have depression.

Whoops! I forgot about gardening. Gardening is an activity that is both creative and exercise. You get the best of both worlds. I love gardening and spend at least an hour a day in mine.

My book ‘Living and laughing with Parkinson’s’ is just at the very beginning of my journey and it is my second book which is being published later this year which will do a lot of talking about the dot points above.

I hope I have given you some ideas but I must impress on you that  you can find you own path to wellness and mindfulness. There is more than one pathway because Parkinson’s is such a mixture of symptoms. We are all different and therefore our pathways are going to be all different too.

I also started this journey about 4 years ago and the further along the pathway I went, the more easily I found it to take control of some symptoms. For example, anxiety attacks are now no problem because when I feel one starting, I just visualize myself drawing, or sniffing my roses or I see myself bathed in sunlight with, sitting on a hill and watching the clouds.

Anne

Postscript:

I do believe that the complexity of Parkinson’s means that there is a complexity of different ways you can tackle the condition. I concentrated on the motor skills because I like being physically independent. Plus, retraining the brain is vitally important. I hope people see that if a late middle-aged mum from Australia can help herself then it is something within the reach of most.

But the key word is Persistence.

Cheers

Anne Atkin
http://www.anneatkinart.com

No responses yet

Jan 12 2012

Numbness in Feet and Legs

Published by under back problems,sinemet

Can someone help me I was told I have Parkinsons in 2007  I am on 7 Sinement a day and I have numbness in feet and legs and difficulty walking. I have to walk and work. I have had two back surgeries and I am looking for help

Kathleen

Response:

I have been conducting research the past 6 years on the various factors that cause symptoms of Parkinsons Disease the therapies that are helping people recover. The good news for you is that there are incredible resources that are available to you. Start listening to archives of the the Parkinsons Recovery Radio Show. You will discover a wealth of information and resources there. Any of the shows I have aired can be downloaded for free. Many of my guests give out their contact information so you can contact them directly for further input.

Parkinsons Recovery is sponsoring a Summit in Cincinnati Ohio June 22-23. Why not attend the Summit? You will discover a wealth of resources there.

http://www.summit.parkinsonsrecovery.com

Finally, you might consider taking daily baths with Epson salts which essentially are a form of magnesium. I am guessing the source of the problem may lie with a deficiency of magnesium in your body. You might discuss with your doctor the advisability of taking baths with Epson salts.

 

Help is available. You have taken the first important step by asking for it!

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com

4 responses so far

Jan 12 2012

Stem Cell Treatment for Parkinsons

Published by under stem cell implants

I am a 41 year old male with PD for 5 years now. I am still a stage I but have noticed some deterioration of my condition recently. I am seriously considering a stem cell treatment where adipose (fat tissue) stem cell will be extracted from my belly area, cultured and then re-injected back to me via a nasal spray and IV.

Can you tell me if  you know if any of your members or anyone following this website have had such a treatment and what results did they achieved, if any?

Darek

Response:

I have not received any input on this particular stem cell therapy. How about it out there? Please comment if you have had a personal experience with this particular stem cell therapy. It certainly sounds interesting to me!

There is a video here on the blog on a different form of stem cell therapy which was explained by Dr. Blanca Rameriz at the 2011 Parkinsons Recovery Summit in Vancouver. I have posted that video here on the blog. Look below to see it.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com

One response so far

Jan 12 2012

Stem Cell Therapy

Published by under stem cell implants

The following interview of Blanca, Rameriz, Ph.D., was taped at the Parkinsons Recovery Summit in Vancouver, Washington on March 8, 2011. Dr. Rameriz  previews of the therapeutic approach she is taking with stem cell therapy that she uses in Mexico for individuals who currently experience the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Robert

No responses yet

Jan 10 2012

2012 New Year Survey

Published by under surveys

How have persons who currently experience the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease been feeling over the past year? Are they feeling better, the same or are they feeling worse?

Join with others who have reported how they have been feeling over the past year.  The 2012 New Year Survey has only two questions. The first needs to be answered by a person who has Parkinson’s Disease. The other question needs to be answered by another person in the family (spouse, family member. etc.) who does not have Parkinson’s Disease.

It only takes two minutes to answer the two questions you will see on this informal, Parkinsons Recovery survey. Click on the survey link below to participate.

http://app.getresponse.com/survey.html?survey_id=9706

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com

 

 

No responses yet

Jan 07 2012

Most Amazing Journey on the Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease

My radio show guest this week is Anne Atkin from Victoria, Australia. Anne offers painting workshops throughout Victoria to persons with Parkinson’s where she discusses everything that really counts when it comes to reversing the symptoms of Parkinson’s.  Below is a brief email from Anne that gives your a sneak preview at the incredible story she will be telling on the radio show this Wednesday.

To get a snapshot preview of Anne’s ground breaking book, Living and Laughing with Parkinsons, visit her website at: http://www.anneatkinart.com

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com

You know Robert, when I look back about 4 years ago to how I was doing PWP, I can’t believe how much both the group and myself have developed.
I have found it all to have been a most amazing journey and one that I would not have missed for the world. I have changed so much as a person and developed skills that I never thought I would have.

I have attached some of my Parkinson’s cartoons which I hope you will find amusing. The are from my book ‘Living and laughing with Parkinson’s’

Cheers

Anne

 

No responses yet

Dec 30 2011

Herbs that Offer Relief For Hand Tremors

Published by under herbs,tremors

Is there anything that can help with Parkinson hand tremors? Tremors started in my right leg and now have spread to my right hand and arm. I’m trying to remain positive. Neurologist gave me Azilect but hasn’t helped at all that I can tell. Should I keep taking it?

Thanks

Susan

If the prescription medications you have been taking have not served the purpose that was intended, it may be time to look elsewhere for options. Of course it would be important to consult with your neurologist before proceeding. If one therapy to treat the tremors is not helpful, I think it is smart to consider other therapeutic options.

Herbalists are wonderful resources in this regard. I have interviewed Andrew Bentley, a highly qualified herbalist from Lexington, Kentucky, who provided several possible herbs that address problems with tremors. Andrew was one of the pioneers that was featured in the first release of Pioneers of Recovery (http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com)

The particular form of herb that has the potential to help depends on a wide variety of factors. It would be sweet if the answer would be”Take herb X and you are sure to see relief.” The neurological system is far more complicated than most people realize.

The choice of the particular herb to treat your tremor depends on a variety of factors  including your body type and overall metabolic constitution.

If someone has a lot of tremors but no pain, Andrew Bentley explains that:

“A herb that is an anti-spasmodic might help more than if someone is experiencing a lot of pain and rigidity, in which case we might use an entirely separate type of things. Some things are helpful more or less across the board.”

Several types of herbs have been found to be helpful depending on the person and the situation. Barley Malt extract is one that actually helps with the levels of dopamine in the brain. Oat straw is sometimes helpful for tremors. Andrew explains that oat straw usually does not cause drowsiness. A lot of things that are anti-spasmodic also cause sedation. He further explains that :

Valerian is a much stronger herb for helping to suppress tremors but it does carry some risk of sedation, of feeling more drowsy and so forth especially when people first start taking it. Sometimes that lessons as time goes on. It is a very strong substance when it comes to helping control involuntary muscle movement tremors and involuntary movement of otherwise involuntary muscles. It is a good one for that.

“Passion flower is also one that is helpful for some particular individuals. These are all things that would go into that category of working on tremors.

Last but certainly not least, Aunt Bean has invented a fava bean tincture that offers her profound relief from tremors. You can find detailed information about how she makes her homemade tincture by visiting the Parkinsons Recovery fava bean website:
http://www.favabeans.parkinsonsrecovery.com

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com

3 responses so far

Dec 30 2011

How to Manifest Recovery in 2012

Several weeks ago I sent out an invitation to persons who receive my free newsletter to do an exercise I have found personally powerful. The invitation was to jump ahead one year to January, 2013 and reflect back on everything you are grateful for. In other words, you set in motion the ability to manifest your dreams for 2012.

What follows is an email from Alan who has given permission to post here on the Parkinsons Recovery blog.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com

Here is my list of gratitude for 2012. I accompany it with a story from Autobiography of a Yogi, a long-standing classic.

A student went to his teacher/guru, having become quite sick.

I see you have made yourself ill, said the teacher, but tomorrow you will feel better.”

Gladdened, the student went home and regained health. He returned to thank the teacher, who said,

“I see you have made yourself well. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?”

A wave of fear went through the student at the prospect of becoming ill again. He did become ill again and could hardly drag himself back to the teacher. Of course, the teacher said,

“You have again made yourself again indisposed.”

 The student, exhausted, asked the teacher what was going on.

“Really, it has been your thoughts that have alternatively made you feel weak and strong. You have seen how your health has exactly followed your subconscious expectations. Thought is a force, even as electricity or gravity.”

He then went on to explain that the mind is a spark of divine consciousness and that a thought, if believed intensely, would come to pass.  pp.133-4.

I could certainly use some work on the intensity of thought, but doing the exercise that Robert suggested has helped change my thinking. I listened to his broadcast many times to be sure I understood it. Then, I took some planned time and made my list of improvements as if looking back on them from 2013.

The next day, I found that I had planted those “subconscious expectations” mentioned above. For the past few weeks, that phrase “subconscious expectations” has been coming to mind. I wondered how I could set them up to be relieved of the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Without realizing it, this was the answer. Writing things out commits yourself to what you are writing. The next day. I kept thinking that change is possible and started acting as if it was happening.

The support for acting out change comes from within!! It is cool to see thought go to work for you. Everything will correspond. Of course, there is a battle between what is and what I can change. The nice thing is that the writing strongly plants new seeds in the mind of healthy thoughts because it is one of your actions–and it is free!

List of gratitude:

  • I restore full use of my left hand with flexibility and contractions are released.
  • My steady balance is restored.
  • I have excellent bladder control.
  • I regain and surpass the muscle mass that I have lost in the past few years.
  • I turn over spontaneously in bed while sleeping.
  • I live in a manner that improves my health, day by day.
  • As my symptoms disappear, my medications are reduced down to nothing.
  • Complete feeling returned to the left side of my body and face.
  • I advance in my career, personal growth, and wealth.
  • I easily chew and swallow all foods and liquids. Choking has ceased. I swallow saliva spontaneously.
  • I complete all tasks, intellectual and physical, easily with normal speed.
  • I walk efficiently with a normal gait and maintain a completely upright posture.
  • I lift and carry heavy items with ease.
  • I give positive encouragement to others.

It is necessary to have something in your mind besides devastation. I stayed positive and had faith in my first year and a half. I seemed to have spiritual healings but not so much physical ones. I was trying to defeat the “medical model”: it will progress.

That is all I knew and believed (from the Internet), and I did get worse in that time.  I found Parkinsons Recovery at this time of year in 2008-9. I soon committed myself to recovery, starting with vitamins. I’ve had to fight progression, and it has been challenging. What is truly better this year is my eye viewing the scenery, close or far.

I am spontaneous at noticing things.  My eyes flit about instead of stare, and I turn and notice things. Example: I heard some women laugh after a man spoke at the grocery checkout. I turned 180 degrees to see what that was. A tall man had just joked with three women who were facing him. I was surprised at my quick, turn around response. I have become more socially spontaneous, too.

Now,  I hope to get into bodybuilding again. Two years ago, I couldn’t find any thoughts to desire it at all, and it had been a passion of mine. Listening to the music of Johann Strauss has freed me up to start thinking about mobility again. I can picture the ballroom dancers seen on youtube when I hear or think of this music. Prior to this, I couldn’t picture any motion at all.

Now, I need to expand my visualization to other activity.  I used a study where one group exercised, one group imagined exercising, and another group did nothing. The second group improved, though not as much as the first. The third group made no improvement. This study told me that the mind will affect the body in regard to motion.

My biggest crisis this year was whether to go down in defeat or not. Howard Schifke said, if you fight Parkinson’s, it will fight you back. After that, I could see you can fight the whole thing–it may be fierce, but its fierceness does not have to beat you into a hole.

When you set up one therapy or practice you open up other possibilities of  healing. I am excited with the effects already of making this list of gratitude for recovery in 2012.

Alan

2 responses so far

Dec 28 2011

Music as Therapy for Symptoms of Parkinsons Disease

Published by under music and Parkinson's

I  got Parkinson’s disease 18 years ago and have decided to get rid of it !!!! I have started to seriously practice chineng qi-gong and hope I will be able to reduce my medication soon. I do not have the shivering version of PD but the moving disorder. In off times I can hardly walk but under medication I am doing not so bad.

I have developed a very interesting  way of being able to walk when I can`t walk. it is listening with mp3 player to specially rhythmic music at 104 metronome beats per minute  like the Radetzky march by Strauss.

I concentrate on the music and I start as if  everything would be normal. Other people should try it. My experience of walking  with marching music has been really incredible because there is no  medicine that would make it possible for me to walk immediately during an off period.

Gerdi

Thanks for giving me permission to post your most fascinating report of how music makes it possible to you to walk during your off periods.  How cool is that!

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
www.pioneersofrecovery.com

No responses yet

Dec 28 2011

Another Natural Therapy for Parkinsons: Bare Back Horse Riding

Published by under horses,Natural Therapies

Remarkable stories of natural therapies keep rolling in. Have you every considered giving bare back horse riding a trial run?  The progress report from Hanne below (whose case story was posted on the Parkinsons Recovery Blog last year)  would inspire anyone to give horse back riding consideration!

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pi0neers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com

Hanne was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease in 1998 by a neurologist and again in 1999 by two other neurologists. She had a PET-scan in 2000. The result was a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in the early stages.

Hanne stopped taking Parkinson’s medications in 2000 and has adopted her own approach to treating her disease. Her balance and muscle strength was very bad at that time.You can read her full case story posted here on the blog by clicking on Parkinsons disease .

Horse riding is a good way to facilitate better balance and strengthen muscles. Hanne is riding her Icelandic horse Jari nearly every day, but once or twice a week she rides bare back as it facilitates better balance and strengthens the muscles even more. Below is a photo from Hanne from October 2011 as she rides in a gallop up a hill. Hanne was born in 1954.

Hanne Gallops on her Horse Bare Back Up a Hill

Bare Back Horse Ridding by Hanne

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