Author: manabunnow4zph (Page 39 of 40)

Magnets for Healing Parkinsons

June 19, 2009 / / 1 Comment

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

June 18, 2009 / / 0 Comments

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?

June 12, 2009 / / 0 Comments

 

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

June 8, 2009 / / 1 Comment

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

Fava Bean Tincture

May 10, 2009 / / 0 Comments

I have had Parkinsons for 20 years and have just started growing my own Fava Beans . We read that the leaves and stems have dopamine also and so decided to try leaf tea and steamed leaves. So far after a week, we are obtaining good results .In am interested in knowing more about the fava bean tincture.

We would like to know if any other Parkinson’s patient you have interviewed have used the leaves or leaf tea?

Patricia

I have talked with one woman with Parkinsons who also grows her own fava beans with resounding success. She lives in a relatively cold climate. Her season for growing the plants is relatively short which poses unique challenges for her.

Aunt Bean grows fava bean plants every summer on her farm in Tennessee. She harvests the tips of the plants at the end of the summer and uses them to make a fava bean tincture which she takes to suppress her symptoms. Instructions on how to make the fava bean tincture are available on the Parkinsons Recovery fava bean website:

https://www.favabeans.parkinsonsrecovery.com 

Some people purchase fava beans from commercial sources. I have received many inquires asking what company is a reliable source. Here is what I have discovered. Some companies send out high quality fava beans which work beautifully for people, then send a batch which fizzles. To my knowledge, there is no reliable commercial source of fava beans.

Why is this? They are not grown in the wild. Here is what I learned about herbs like fava beans in my interview with Andrew Bentley who is a herbalist. Andrew is one of the 14 pioneers I interview for the Pioneers of Recovery.

Andrew tells me he also has not found a reliable, high quality source of fava beans for his own clients. This is quite amazing news, since his job as a herbalist is to use natural herbs to help people get well.

Andrew explains in Pioneers of Recovery that herbs need to be grown in the wild in order to carry the energetic punch that is essential for making the herbs work well. His argument makes good sense to me. Herbs grown in the wild are infused with the energy or the earth. Herbs grown in commercial fields lack this divine infusion of healing energy. Andrew harvests all his herbs in the wild. He purchases nothing from commercial companies.

Growing your own fava beans may be just like growing them in the wild. I would encourage anyone with the symptoms of Parkinsons to follow your lead. Ingesting fava beans does help many people get relief from their symptoms. Other people supplement their regular medications with fava beans and find they are able to reduce their dosage significantly. As with any herbal therapy, everyone does not see significant relief but many are.

Some people order fava beans from a commercial source, found it did not make any difference and concluded that the bean does not help give them relief from symptoms. It is very possible that the problem was not the fava bean itself, but the source from where it was acquired.

Please keep us all appraised of your exciting project.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Treatment Protocols for Parkinsons

May 9, 2009 / / 0 Comments

Do you have any testimonials from individuals that have recovered from PD using your treatment protocols for Parkinsons? Why aren’t you on Larry King or Oprah?

Without validity, your claims are the same as other people. Where are the recovered people?

The best, John

Thanks so much for your questions. I do not have a “protocol” that I advocate. I am a researcher gathering information from people who are recovering from Parkinson’s.

I do not make any claims to be sure about any approach or remedy or treatment, though many people I interview or who are on my radio program give testimonials about what they are doing to feel a lot better.

I believe the causes of Parkinsons are multifaceted, so different treatments will help depending on the persons individual situation. Let me know if there is a “claim” that I have made or written about. I will need to revisit that writing and clarify the presentation.

The first round of field research is reported in Pioneers of Recovery . Two of the people I interview in the book have recovered fully. Others are on the road to recovery. The Pioneers talk about what they are doing to get relief from their symptoms.

I totally agree with you that it is important to present evidence that natural treatment protocols for Parkinsons are effective. That is the road I am taking with my research.

I just released Five Steps to Recovery  which is all about thoughts and how they help or obstruct healing. Again, there is no protocol here, just support to people  who want to sustain positive thinking about their recovery.

All the best,

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

One Man’s Story with Parkinsons

May 9, 2009 / / 0 Comments

Dear Dr. Rodgers,

Just a note to thank you for putting out this program for Parkinson’s Recovery and the research that you are doing on it. I don’t know what I would do without it. You offer an alternative way of thinking. The path of recovery, as you said, is effortless. I have not found anything that hard to do. It may be hard to find out WHAT to do. I have come to the place of dealing with exercise. I found someone on-line to help me with that, at least help me to ease into weightlifting and bodybuilding again.

The person who asks what supplements to take haunts my mind. In this program, nobody is going to cure anything. What we are about is setting up the conditions for the body to heal itself, whether it is supplements, exercise, imagery, prayer, or counseling. Some of the resources will not be Parkinson’s-related but are good for the condition. My book on imagery for health by Belleruth Naparstek is excellent, but there is no mention of Parkinson’s in the book. All the principles and exercises can be applied to my or anyone’s condition of Parkinson’s.

As for me, I mention PD only when I have to refer to it to avoid ironing it in to my mind or anyone else’s mind. I have not told my closest friends. To those who ask, I say “I have a problem in my nervous system and motor control.” I avoid reading material on PD that does not have recovery as the underlying theme.

I already tried what I call “the medical model” for a year and a half: incurable disease with the cause not completely understood that will get worse. I received several healings by faith during that time, so I kept positive that way. However, I realized that I was living the medical model…and getting its results, too! I wanted something different, ways to help myself. Trying again, because my pastor told me to find a support group (which I didn’t want either), I found this website of Robert Rodgers on Parkinson’s recovery.

I thought that I should write this in case it will help someone.

Still going,

Alan

My thanks to Alan for sharing his experience with all of us.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Healing Crisis and Parkinsons Symptoms

March 31, 2009 / / 3 Comments

I was just wondering if you know anything about the “healing crisis” and Parkinson symptoms?

Keep up the great web site.

Victoria

About the Healing Crisis and Parkinsons Symptoms

I see with great interest that you place the words “healing crisis” in quotes. We may have different interpretations of the meaning for a healing crisis. Here is mine.

When issues come to a head, symptoms flare up and become especially challenging. It is the body’s way of sending us a strong signal that something needs attention. The message is:

If you keep on the way you are going, things are going to get worse. Please pay attention.

What causes the crisis? At the top of the list floats two causes I have witnessed often and that I have seen in myself.

1.Negative thoughts recycle continuously through mind tripping. We are not able to turn the channel of negativity off without help.

2. The suppression of feelings which we would prefer to numb and/or ignore.

What symptoms can be expected with a healing crisis? Anything goes here. Think like your body thinks.

How am I going to get her attention here? Do I need to make the existing symptoms dramatically worse so she will notice me? Or, should I manifest new symptoms, pains and discomforts so she will be more likely to notice me?

The Healing crisis and Parkinsons symptoms are tightly connected. The body makes a choice and wham. You feel worse. What happens feels quite horrible of course. You are spun into a desperate state. In the end a healing crisis is a very good thing.

We are afforded the opportunity to make some changes in our lives and urged to take action now because we feel so lousy. A healing crisis makes it possible to move on to the next level. After a long absence, we finally return home to our patiently waiting  soul.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Passionflower for Tremors

March 16, 2009 / / 0 Comments

The following is a letter I received this week about passionflower for tremors that I have permission to post here. Passionflower is generally used for its anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and mild sedative effects, and it is sometimes recommended for conditions like anxiety, insomnia, and muscle spasms, which could indirectly help manage tremors if they are caused by stress or tension.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Dear Robert: Thank you for your wonderful encouraging letters. I got the book Pioneers of Recovery. It is very positive, has helpful information and surely is worth of purchasing. I started to use passionflower for tremors  (10 drops in a glass of water three times / day). It does help with tremors.

I also made massage oil for same using frankincense drops; one drop / 1cc of carrier oil ( I use almond oil). I use it on my neck and arm. It helps. I also use Magnesium powder.

I learned all that from your book. I just studied it a bit more . I am on my way to recover, next step is to detox and get Aquas

Again, Thank you!!

TV, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Isn’t this a lovely email? It certainly made my day. I am practicing receiving, which I believe helps all of us balance our hormones. At first, I wasn’t going to make this public, but then I thought I really need to take this praise in. My hormones are already thanking me.

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

Exercise and Parkinsons Medications

March 10, 2009 / / 0 Comments

Two Questions from Anne about exercise and Parkinsons medications

Is it better to exercise when ‘on’ or when ‘off?’ I am wondering about body’s capacity to remember movements, cadences etc.

I have not seen any studies that have examined the differences of exercise when the medication is fully functional (the “on” state) and when the medication has worn off and symptoms are more evident (the “off” state).

I can report that many people tell me when their symptoms are bothersome (whether they take medication or not), exercise makes a huge difference in alleviating them.

Stress is highly correlated with symptoms. When stressed, symptoms will be worse. Exercise plays a huge role in releasing stress that is carried in the body. So, when symptoms are bothersome, try exercising and see what happens.

The more often you exercise the better you will feel. People tell me that it is far more effective in helping them get sustained relief from symptoms that virtually most of the medications they have tried. When I asked in my annual survey what therapies members of y audience have found helpful in celebrating symptom relief, exercise always floats to the top of the list.

So what about exercise and Parkinsons medications? Think of exercise as better than medicine. The best part is that it is free and can be fun as well.

Are instructions for using aquas anywhere on the web site?

Aquas were designed to be a homeopathic remedy for dehydration. They are recommended by John Coleman, ND, who recovered from Parkinsons. You will find an explanation about the Aquas and instructions for their use at www.aquas.us.

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

Heal Scars Naturally

February 12, 2009 / / 0 Comments

I agree with your comments about interrupted neural pathways and the lingering effects of scar tissue. You recommend using wheat germ oil as a therapy to heal scars naturally. 

I have had abdominal aortic surgery due to an aneurysm and apply Vitamin E (oil) to the scar by puncturing the capsules.

My question: Is wheat germ oil better for the intended benefit than Vitamin E and if so, why?

Wayne

Both Vitamin E and wheat germ oil help to heal scar tissue. There are a few advantages of using wheat germ oil.

First, wheat germ oil sinks deep into the scar tissue itself. We see the external manifestation of scars on our body, but the scar tissue caused by surgeries such as yours protrude deep inside the body. Wheat germ oil sinks deep into the scar tissue itself. The penetration salience of wheat germ oil is significantly greater than that of vitamin E primarily because the frequency of wheat germ oil is much closer to the vibrational frequency of scar tissue. This is why it is more readily absorbed by the body.

Second, both wheat germ oil and vitamin E are nutrients, but wheat germ oil possesses a greater range and variety of nutrients than vitamin E. Vitamin E is as the label suggests – just vitamin E. Wheat germ oil contains vitamin E in addition to Vitamin A and Vitamin D. It also contains a rich supply of protein. The combination of different vitamins and nutrients is why the vibrational frequency of wheat germ oil is closer to that of scar tissue than vitamin E.

Both Vitamin E and wheat germ oil feed and nourish the damaged tissues so the tissues can heal and rejuvenate. Both are useful as therapies to heal scars naturally. When either one is used in combination with a cold laser, you are likely to have a quicker healing response.

To summarize, both are great to use. You might even consider using both, perhaps applying vitamin E in the morning and wheat germ oil in the evening. The cold laser generates heat deep inside the tissues which is also rejuvenating.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery®

© Parkinsons Recovery

Family System Legacies

January 30, 2009 / / 0 Comments

What follows is truly an amazing story about the power of family system legacies as embodied through the connection between a father and son. It is a true testament to the reality that Parkinsons can inspire and motivate in ways that we could have never imagined or anticipated.

Jeff Meyers wrote the following story to me in an e mail last week. He gave me permission to share it with everyone. Get ready to be inspired. I was.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

What’s unique about my story is that my father divorced my mother when I was a very young child and I never saw or heard from him again. I knew nothing about the man.

At age 54 I decided that I wanted to do some volunteering and, being quite familiar with with computers, html, and content editing and writing, I came across an opportunity at the Parkinson’s disease Association of San Diego to update and maintain their website. I continued building the site for 2 years, at which time the executive director offered me a full-time position. Up until I came on the scene, their website had generated a mere $1421 in income. Since being hired 4 years ago, the pdasd.org site, the Tulip Tribute Funds site, and our Annual 5K Parkinson’s Walk & Fun Run site (both of which I created) have generated over $300,000 in income.

I also video taped our Parkinson’s educational seminars and, while viewing a live presentation through the video camera, I noticed that 2 of the presenters made reference to a Dr. Harold Russell Meyers, M.D. during their presentations. After the event I followed up with the two neurosurgeons, one of whom was very familiar with my father’s work. I did some research online and that’s how I found out who my dad was. My father did the pioneering work in the development of Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery (DBS). There was never any mention of him in our family all the years while I was growing up.

Now, isn’t that an incredible story! Who would ever have imagined that I would be “connected” to Parkinson’s–and my father–through this series of events? Life…what a mystery!

When I’d finished the Tulip Tribute Funds website, I told my only sister, who I had just recently heard from in over 40 years since the breakup of the family (her choice) and she revealed to me that she was the only child who maintained any contact with my dad in all the years of separation. Interestingly, she is the only child who ever finished college; in fact she earned 2 doctorates at McGill University in Montreal. She was the one who added the testimonial about Dr. Meyers on the Tulip Tribute Funds site. Hopefully, he’s beaming with pride from somewhere “above.”

It seems that my dad had received 32 honorary doctorate degrees, was a Seniors Olympics Champion sprinter through the age of 84, hung out with the likes of Alan Watts, Buckminster Fuller, S.I. Hayakawa, Alfred Korzybski and many other “high-level” intellectuals of his time. He had achieved many other professional accomplishments throughout his life, but being a father to his 6 children was not one of them. I am very blessed because I have a wonderful son who is so dear to my heart, and we are “best of buds” as the saying goes. Well, such are the possible “hands” one is dealt in life! Indeed the bonds of family system legacies are indeed profound. 

At any rate, here is where we are today…all of us together…fighting the “good fight” to find a cure for PD! I absolutely love the people I’m working with, and to add you to the mix…what a blessing!

Jeff Meyers

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery®

Totally Recovered from Parkinsons

January 23, 2009 / / 0 Comments

In your travels you have ever met an individual who has totally recovered from Parkinsons Disease?

I am not quite sure what it would mean to be “totally recovered” from Parkinson’s. I do know people who are symptom free.

John Coleman, a naturopath doctor, is symptom free today. He does not describe himself as “fully recovered” and regularly adheres to his own health program. He sees recovery as a life time process which has no definitive ending point. The process ends when we die.

Nathan is also symptom free after engaging in a very focused two year program of recovery. I have interviewed both individuals. Stories of recovery are published in my two Pioneers of Recovery Books.

Pioneers of Recovery: First Set of Interviews with 14 Pioneers: Therapies and Treatments that Reverse Symptoms of Parkinsons

Pioneers of Recovery: Second Set of Interviews with 9 Pioneers: How People with Parkinson’s Disease Reversed Their Symptoms 

John Coleman reports evidence of five other people he has worked with who are symptom free today.

Others who Totally Recovered from Parkinsons

Many people I talk with are holding steady (i,e. not getting worse). An impressive body of evidence comes from people who are getting steady relief from their symptoms. In other words, instead of getting worse, they are getting better little by little.

Parkinsons Recovery sponsors an annual survey during each holiday season. Respondents are ask to report since the last holiday season whether they have been feeling better, the same or worse. Responses have been similar over the years. Seventy-five percent of respondents to the survey with Parkinsons symptoms report that they have been either feeling better or have been about the same since the previous holiday season.

If anyone reading this falls into the category of symptom free, please contact me. I would love to interview you!

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery®

© Parkinsons Recovery

Sugar Cravings

December 8, 2008 / / 1 Comment

Do you have sugar cravings every day?
Oh no! The most egregious toxin to the body is sugar. 

A wise approach is obviously to stop ingesting sugar.
If you cannot stop eating foods with sugar the chances
of reversing the symptoms of Parkinsons disease
are slim indeed.

The problem with this recommendation is
it is terribly difficult to honor. Why? Sugar
is addictive.

Since I decided to indulge in my
favorite sweet for the holidays –
pumpkin pie – I went into a spot of
low energy and depression.

I am back up and running, though
it always takes a few days. Sound
familiar?

How in the world do you (and I) reduce
sugar cravings that have haunted
us our entire life? We can address
nutritional deficiencies, remove
barriers to healing and strengthen
our immune systems. I will briefly
discuss each strategy.

Eliminate Sugar Cravings By
Addressing Nutritional Deficiencies

First it is important to acknowledge
that sugar cravings mean that you
are not giving your body the nutrition
that is necessary for it to function
optimally. We are certified body
abusers. The abused victim in this case
just happens to be our own body.

You can approach this challenge in
two ways. First, you can set about
to determine what nutritional deficiencies
are contributing to the imbalance. Is it
too little of Vitamin D3, or B6, or B12 or
magnesium or …?

You can ask your doctor to order an
exhaustive series of tests that evaluate
nutritional deficiencies in the body.
Specific prescriptions of vitamin and
mineral supplements will remedy the
deficiencies in time and reduce the
cravings.

This approach works well for some
people. The downside it is expensive,
time consuming and time limited. The tests
have to be repeated again and again to
maintain the balance that is needed.

Second, you can focus your intent and
energy on giving your body all the
nutrition it needs to heal. This means
eating fresh foods that are free of
pesticides and additives.

With this strategy, what does it matter
today whether you are deficient in one
vitamin or mineral or another? If you eat
nutritious, fresh food every day, you
will eventually give your body all the
nutrition it needs to come back into balance.

Assess Barriers to Healing

What are barriers to conquer sugar cravings? Certainly,
food allergies are at the top of the
list for most people. One of my most favorite
foods is whipped cream. I love eating whipped
cream. It makes me happy.

Whipped cream makes my intestines bloat.
My entire digestive system screams out
in pain. My spleen is not a happy camper.
I pay the price for my few minutes of
pleasure for the next 48 hours. And no, I
am not out of the woods yet from eating
pumpkin pie and whipped cream several days
ago.

My body has a strong allergic reaction to dairy.
End of story. If I eat dairy, I pay the price.

Eliminate Toxins Helps Quiet Sugar Cravings

Toxins also pose fundamental obstacles to healing.
Many people do all the right things to heal the symptoms
of Parkinsons but see little result from their efforts.
This is because their bodies are swamped with too
many heavy metals, poisons, pesticides, cleaning
chemicals or other chemicals that rip up the integrity
of their body’s organs.

The solution is to identify the toxins. Then,
adopt a program of cleansing to get rid of them.
The cleansing program should work at a gentle
pace that you body can tolerate. Too much
scrubbing too quickly can create other worrisome
problems.

In this fascinating interview, Dr. Ivy Faber ND discusses
the approach she uses to identify toxins in your body and
selecting the best therapies for releasing them. Click on the link
below to hear my interview with her.

Strengthen your Immune System

Finally, it very well may be that
your immune system has crashed. You will
never be able to fight off sugar cravings. viruses and
bacterial infections unless you can get
your immune system back on track.

There are many very effective therapies which make
use of natural herbs and medicines that can help
build your immune system back up so that your body
will have the overall strength to heal.

Your body will not begin to address neural issues
if infections or viral threats are screaming for
attention. When the body becomes overloaded with
challenges, it prioritizes what problems need to
be addressed first. Infections are at the top of
the list. Neural abnormalities are toward the bottom
of the body’s priority ranking.

Sugar Cravings Summary

Pay attention to the basics and your body
will heal itself. Sugar will no longer be in charge of
your mind or your life. The problems of fatigue,
depression and sleeplessness will become memories
of the distant past.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery®

© 2024 Parkinsons Recovery

Sugar Cravings

December 3, 2008 / / 1 Comment

Are your sugar cravings up?
The holidays are a great excuse
for indulging yourself in sweats
and other pleasurable pastimes.

I always think so anyway. But
of course, sugar is just as deadly
to your neural networks during the
holidays as it is on your birthday
(unless your birthday falls on the
holidays. Then it is deadlier).

In most cases sugar cravings are
not eating disorders but rather a signal
of hormonal imbalances. If you regularly
answer the body’s call for more sugar,
your symptoms will worsen and you will
feel increasingly lousy.

Let me be clear about the logic here.

  1. Sugar cravings are triggered by hormonal
    imbalances.
  2. The symptoms of Parkinson’s are triggered
    by hormonal imbalances.
  3. There is very likely a connection between
    the intensity of your cravings for sugar and
    the severity of your symptoms.

Sugar cravings suggest that the signaling
system in the body has been short circuited.
When we are tired or depressed — sounds
like the holidays, eh? — our blood sugar
and serotonin levels are too low.

Serotonin is the perfect quick fix for
feeling warm and cozy again. The body
lets us know it needs an immediate
serotonin boast. Sugars and carbohydrates
are the perfect quick fix. They release a
brief burst of serotonin.

Unfortunately, the burst of euphoria is
short lived. Sugar cravings always return.
We eat more sweets to get a serotonin hit.
Remember, this is a sure bet to fix the
problem of being down in the dumps.

Over time, larger doses of sugar are needed
to sustain a tolerable level of serotonin
in the body. It is a downward slope headed
for the valley of depression, disease and
illness.

Why does this happen? The body begins to
produce more and more insulin in response
to the artificially high level of sugar
that is mainlined into the body from the
sweet cravings. As levels of insulin
rise, the body’s resistance to the effects
of insulin increases.

A vicious cycle is born. Increased insulin
resistance causes insulin levels to rise
higher and higher which in turn trigger
stronger and more frequent cravings for
sweets.

Another cause of sweet cravings is adrenal
fatigue which is created by sustained levels
of stress and trauma. Most people with the
symptoms of Parkinson’s have adrenal fatigue.
For some it is a chronic condition. Adrenal
fatigue also signals to the body that it
needs a sugar hit.

I suspect that anyone with the symptoms of
Parkinson’s is especially susceptible to the
seductiveness of sugar and the attraction of
sweets during the holidays.

So you say, so what? What in the world do
I do about it? I have the answer, really.

Sugar cravings are a tough addition
to break. It is not a question of
exerting will over desire. It is a
problem rooted in hormonal imbalances
in the body The solution involves
addressing hormonal imbalances.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery®

© Parkinsons Recovery

Parkinson’s and Stress

November 30, 2008 / / 2 Comments

I was diagnosed with PD 8 years ago. I completely agree that
the major cause is related to stress and stress hormones.
Dealing with Parkinson’s and stress is the key.

Can the body be convinced to produce dopamine after its total
depletion?

Has any body been convinced and by what means?

I would be grateful to receive some help and advice for myself
and other PD sufferers in Lithuania.

Responses

Here are my responses to your questions in the
order they have been asked:

Can the body be convinced to produce dopamine after its total
depletion?

I believe the body can always heal itself when given the
proper support and nutrition. Yes, the body does
know how to heal itself. It just needs a little help
from time to time re-remembering how.

I am well aware that most medical professionals frame the
the cause of Parkinson’s solely in terms of a dopamine
deficiency. If there is a severe head injury this is
probably a meaningful and useful frame of the problem.
But for a vast majority of people with the symptoms of
Parkinson’s, the problem is far more complicated
than a simple deficiency of dopamine. There are over
40 hormones in the body which are out of balance.
Dopamine is only one among these 40 interrelated
hormones that are out of balance.

Has any body been convinced and by what means?

The good news here is yes! Some people are symptom free
today. Many people are finding good relief by a wide variety
of modalities and approaches.

I have learned that there is considerable variation in what
works for people when it comes to addressing Parkinson’s
and stress..There is no universal list of things you
can do that will guarantee that you will feel better. It really
depends on the specific factors that happen to be causing your
symptoms.

I have spent the past year interviewing people who have
fully recovered or who are finding ways to get
relief from their symptoms. I will soon be launching a
Parkinsons Recovery member website where all of this
incredibly fascinating information will be posted.

I would be grateful to receive some help and advice for myself
and other PD sufferers in Lithuania.

There are a wide variety of natural methods you can
use to get relief from the effects of stress. The idea
behind all of these methods is to release fear that is trapped
at the cellular level so our bodies can produce neurotransmitters
and reduce the production of stress hormones. Strategies that
are useful on a daily basis are:

Meditation
Relaxation
Walking
Sitting
Dreaming
Singing
Sleeping
Listening to music

Body therapies are also useful in this regard.
If you click on the link below, do a search
for craniosacral therapists in Lithuania. Three were
listed when I did the search, though only one had
contact information.

https://www.iahp.com/pages/search/index.php

Essential oils can be very effective, as can Emotional
Freedom Technique (EFT). I will soon be posting an interview with
an aroma therapist who explains how essential oils can
provide great release from the effects of stress. I recently
wrote a newsletter with a link showing the effects of
EFT on veterans of war.

Breathwork can also be very powerful. This involves continuous
breathing (in and out) for a period of 5 minutes or longer.
We bury the effects of stress on our bodies by not breathing.
When we do breathwork, we release the effects of stress that
has been trapped in our bodies, sometimes for decades.

These are just a few of the approaches that you can do
yourself. They are safe and noninvasive.

With a little experimentation, you should be able to
discover the methods, techniques, therapies and modalities
that work for you. Use them daily and you will gradually
see relief from your symptoms.

The true cause of the hormonal imbalance in
Parkinson’s lies with an overabundance of stress hormones:
It obviously will take time to convince the body otherwise
-to produce dopamine.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery®

© 2024 Parkinsons Recovery

Parkinson’s Symptoms and Medications

September 8, 2008 / / 0 Comments

My Parkinson’s symptoms and medications are going on with me now for 4 months and the strongest is my slowness of movements,
speech and the way my face looks so sad. Today I just felt
fatigued and some feeling in my brain like a flush or a wave of slowness.

I am seeing a neurologist for the second time for
further evaluation. I have yet to be formally diagnosed
with Parkinsonism. In a small corner in my mind I carry
he thought that these symptoms are temporary and it is
not Parkinson’s. Do others that you may know of have
similar symptoms like my self that turn out not to be Parkinson’s
and they are well again?

Thank you for letting me update you on what is going on
with my health. I am reaching out as far as I can for help
and guidance on all I can do. My life has changed l00%
this past 4 months.

I was taking SAMe for three months for depression.
It elevated my mood and I was feeling 80 percent better
so I stopped taking it one week ago. I weaned myself off
in a week. Now I am wondering if stopping SAMe is
the reason I do not feel so good now.
Are you familiar with SAMe?

Well – you have been on a roller coaster these past few months.

The question you ask is: Do I know of people who have symptoms like
yours who have been able to recover or feel better?

The encouraging answer is yes! I interview people all the time with symptoms like yours – give them any name you wish – who have figured out ways to feel better.

John Coleman, a naturopath doctor from Australia who had Parkinson’s in 1995 but has fully recovered.

You can hear a replay of his interview by clicking on the link below:

About Parkinson’s Symptoms and Medications

I personally believe there are two basic ways to
approach problems like yours. First, many people
spend a great deal of energy and time trying to figure
out what is wrong. From my experience, this approach
tends to sustain a great deal of fear and makes sure that
you will experience the symptoms of Parkinson’s because
fear triggers hormonal imbalances in the body.

The second approach is to say – OK – my body is giving
me some information. It is working perfectly – as it always does.
It must be the case that my body needs something I am not
giving it – perhaps good food, exercise, mind challenges,
levity, relaxation, detoxing, etc., etc.). With this approach
a person can begin to make some changes in their life and
eventually turn their health around. It does take time and trust. 

As for tests revealing problems with lesions and tumors and
cancers and – you name it – my personal feeling is (and remember
this is only my personal feeling) – everyone has things like this
in their bodies. Everyone has cancers in their body at one time or
another. Most people have lesions of one type or another. Etc.

Clearly it is a good idea to get things checked out by doctors
and consider their recommendations. Medicine sometimes
works miracles for people.

The challenge for anyone in a situation like yours is that
if you spend most of your time focusing your attention on
what is wrong with your body – if those thought forms
dominate your thinking – you will be guaranteed to manifest
something wrong. Our thoughts create our reality.

As for the drug you asked about – I stay away from making
any comments about drugs since I am not a medical doctor
and I am not qualified to do so. 

I am hoping for good news from the doctors for you…

All the best,

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery®

© 2024 Parkinsons Recovery

Listing of Bowen Therapists in the USA

August 30, 2008 / / 1 Comment

A website that provides a Listing of Bowen Therapists in the USA
is provided below.

John Coleman ND recommends Bowen therapy
as an effective way to release trauma and stress from tissues in
the body as one way of finding relief from the symptoms
of Parkinson’s.

Bowen therapy originated in Australia, but
there are many therapists who are trained in
Bowen therapy who practice in the United States.

If you click on the link below you can do a search of
Bowen therapists by region. This is a very useful resource
because it gives the level of training for each therapist
and their phone number to call for further information. 

 Bowen Therapists in the USA 

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery ®

© Parkinsons Recovery

Living Well With Parkinsons

July 25, 2008 / / 1 Comment

Do external interventions (supplements,
massage, cranial sacral therapy, body
work, etc.) undermine the body’s ability
to function? How does one go about living
well with Parkinsons?

These questions hinge on the very essence
of healing. What can we do to support the
body’s natural ability to heal itself and
what are we doing to undermine it?

The answer is tied to identifying what we
need to  heal. A bare bones answer is:
nourishment, touching, connection
with others, feeling of safety, sense of
accomplishment and belonging.

The body needs a well established
group of vitamins mineral and
nutrients. Without them our cells
die and our energy depletes. They make
Living well with Parkinsons a reality.
If we are deficient in any one of the essential
nutrients, our bodies let us know
they are unhappy with troublesome symptoms.

Vitamin B6. For example, the body
is not designed to manufacture Vitamin
B6 internally. If it has a vitamin B6
deficiency, the body will enthusiastically
welcome a B6 supplement. B6 supports
the body’s natural ability to balance
hormones.

Stress. We need to feel safe and secure in
the world. If we are spinning about
in fear all the time, our bodies pump
out adrenaline continuously which
alters the balance of hormones.

Any intervention that invites a release
of stress and trauma from the tissues
of the body (e.g: medication, centered
prayer, energy healing) supports the
body’s natural capacity to heal.
Releasing fear and trauma re-establishes
a sense that it is safe to be here on the
earth.

Toxin Removal. Interventions that help
the body release toxins and pathogens
are always welcome. They unclog
obstructions in the neural pathways and
cleanse the waste that has been trapped at
the cellular level and that is lodged in the
digestive track, liver, kidneys and spleen.

Dopamine. Let’s cut to the quick and address
dopamine. Prescription medications have saved
some people’s lives. Sometimes
it is the best choice a person can make.

I do not think the important question
is whether to begin taking prescription
medications or not. Nor is the important
choice whether to take prescription
medications or  herbs substitutes
for dopamine. The key question turns on
a commitment to support your body with
the nutrients it needs to heal

Support for Living.

I believe the most important
choice is to do everything necessary
to bring all systems of the body back
on line. The systems need to be readied
for a marathon. If you have symptoms
that are troublesome it is a sign that
one or more systems in your body
are limping along.

I believe a plan that works well for the body
is to work on strengthening all of the basic
building blocks of the body to make living well
with Parkinsons a reality. They consist of …

  • eating well (which means fresh food)
  • eliminating toxins
  • eliminating pathogens (including bacteria and viruses)
  • releasing trauma
  • strengthening the immune system
  • moving lymph out of the body through exercise
  • having fun
  • laughing
  • challenging your mind

It may be the case that to do justice to
everything on the list every day, certain
hormonal deficiencies will need to be
supplemented: Perhaps dopamine,
perhaps CoQ10 or whatever. This of
course is what medical doctors are trained
to help with.

As long as you focus on bringing
all of the systems and organs in your
body back on line, your body will reach
a point when it will be able to
manufacture most – if not all – of the
essential hormones you need without
any outside intervention. Then again,
sometimes infusions of certain
hormones are needed over the long
term.

The best intent is to support
the body so that it can do as much
work in producing the hormones
itself as possible. Set a new vision
of the future for yourself. Consider
the possibility that instead of having
to take more and more medication
or supplements in the future, you
will be able to gradually and ever
so gently be able to maintain or
even reduce the dose of your
current medications.

Why is that? Because all of the organs
systems in your body are now healthy
so there is enough energy and resources
to manufacture the hormones your
body needs. Sure it takes time to bring
every system back on line. Who is in
a big rush here?

Remember that any changes you
make to the dose and/or timing of
your medications should only be
taken in close consultation with
your doctor.

I am fully aware than most people
wind up taking more medications
over time. I would like to consider
a different future to manifest living
well with Parkinsons.

The body knows how to heal itself.
Give it a chance to heal and be
pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery®

© Parkinsons Recovery

Natural Remedies

July 10, 2008 / / 0 Comments

I am 52 years old and I have been
experiencing Parkinsonian symptoms
for over a year now. I am interested
in knowing all about natural remedies.
I went to a neurologist and he said I did show
early stages of parkinsons i.e. trembling
in left foot, cramped/small handwriting,
left hand has trouble touching thumb
to middle finger at a fast pace; I feel I
talk slower; I have constipation
(I thought the constipation was from
my acid reflux condition) and I recently
fell into a depression cause of some
events in my life…

I am taking SAMe now for three weeks
and feel somewhat better but not l00%…
I am scheduled to see this neurologist
again in September to see if my condition
is true and or progressed and at that time
he will discuss taking medication for
Parkinson’s.

I am praying that these symptoms I
am experiencing are due to another
situation like menopause and or my
depression/stress.

I am reaching out to you for any input
on where I am at and also any natural
remedies I might start doing now to
improve my health and well being.

Thank you for sending in your question
to Parkinsons Recovery. You will find
my newsletter, this blog and our website
contains information and resources that
offer many choices you can consider.

You will always find cutting edge information
posted on this blog. The newsletter
covers a wide range of topics, all
related to natural remedies.

I document natural remedies people report
have helped them, so we are very
practical in our approach here. Our
mission is to provide you with a
wealth of information about natural
approaches and remedies so you
can make the choices that are
right for you.

I interview people with Parkinson’s
who tell me what has worked for them.
And, I also interview experts in their
various fields (e.g.: process psychologists,
physical therapists, herbalists, craniosacral
therapists, Neural Linguistic Programming
experts, biofeedback therapists, acupuncturists,
etc., etc.) who tell me about how their
respective modalities can potentially help people with
Parkinson’s feel better.

The good news is that I hear
reports every week from
people with Parkinsons who are
feeling better. You can too, though
you will have to make some
changes in your life.

Speaking generally, the natural
approaches that people tell me offer
relief from symptoms are: a healthy
diet, daily exercise, detoxing heavy
metals and other harmful substances
that reside in the body, awareness of
what stress does to the body, release
of traumas, meditation, laughter,
social contact and dedication to a purpose
in life.

The theme at Parkinsons Recovery is
to emphasize health and well being rather
than to dwell on “disease.” We believe
the body knows how to heal itself. It just
needs a little help remembering how sometimes.

Welcome aboard.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery®

© Parkinsons Recovery

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