Category Archives: Stress and Parkinsons

Shut Down Anxiety

Everyone who experiences the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is well aware that anxiety fuels their symptoms. When stress is brought under control and you shut down anxiety, symptoms become far less problematic.

Everyone also knows that medicines and supplements have the potential to suppress symptoms in the short run. Unfortunately, they offer little promise of long lasting effectiveness. What in the world can deliver on this promise? Are there any natural solutions out there?

My answer is yes. A wide variety of very effective methods to shut down anxiety exist. They are previewed one by one in the Parkinsons Recovery online Shut Down Anxiety course. Classes are rolled out over a three month period. Click the link below to register.

Shut Down Anxiety Course Registration
Tuition $90
$30 each month for 3 months

Discount: Enter the coupon code gift on the shopping cart to take advantage of a 50% tuition discount available Thanksgiving week.

Shut Down Anxiety introduces methods, strategies and techniques that have been shown to quiet down and calm anxiety. They turn down the volume of the overactive flight-fight sympathetic nervous system that inflames neurological difficulties. I did not invent these techniques. They have been extracted and simplified from an extensive body of contributions by experienced practitioners and researchers..

There is no doubt that using these techniques provides relief from anxiety. Every little bit of help counts for something.

  • The content of my Shut Down Anxiety course introduces natural, self administered therapies and techniques that achieve relief that is long lasting rather than temporary.
  • It focuses on ways that cut to the core of shutting down what drives you crazy with relentless anxiety.
  • A bonus of the course is a download of my book Seven Secrets to Healing which covers the basics for how healing occurs from the inside out.

What sustains and inflames anxiety is unresolved trauma whether physical, mental or emotional. None of us can ever change or erase traumas of the past. Sometimes it is impossible to know why we are so anxious all the time.

Techniques and therapies will be covered in the course which bring to the surface the underlying sources of anxiety that are entirely unknown and release their grip on us. These  highly effective methods make it possible to release, remove and detach their debilitating impact. A welcome relief from symptoms follows.

Course participants can connect to the online course platform any time of the day or night using their phones or computers to get all of questions answered about any of the methods, ideas and techniques I will discuss.

I am personally available as your instructor to answer any questions that come up. Click the link below to register.

Shut Down Anxiety Course Registration
Tuition $90
$30 Each Month for 3 Months

This Thanksgiving week only, enter the coupon code gift to claim a 50% tuition discount.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
https://www.parkinsonsdisease.me
877-526-4646
robert@parkinsonsrecovery.com

 

 

Halt Anxiety with Proven Techniques

When anxiety flares up, symptoms always get worse. One of the best ways to sooth symptoms is to identify ways to get anxiety under control in the moment. This shifts the focus away from ways to suppress symptoms temporarily and embrace ways to reverse symptoms when they are most problematic.    

I document proven techniques to Halt  Anxiety in a book that is available as a download and as a paperback. This has been a work in progress for many months which is at long last complete.

My book introduces simple techniques that calm anxiety and reduce stress when they are most needed. The techniques:

  • Are simple to implement
  • Can be accessed anywhere, anytime in any situation.
  • Cost nothing
  • Reduce anxiety
  • Calm stress 
  • Help reduce the severity of symptoms

Click below to order the download of Halt Anxiety which will be sent immediately to your computer or phone.

Download of Halt Anxiety
8.88

Click the book cover below to order the paperback ($10):

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery 
Olympia Washington
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease|
https://www.parkinsonsdisease.me
877-526-4646

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Shut Down Anxiety to Get Relief from Symptoms

Everyone who experiences the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is well aware that anxiety fuels their symptoms. When stress is brought under control and you shut down anxiety, symptoms become far less troublesome.

Everyone also knows that medicines and supplements have the potential to suppress symptoms in the short run. Unfortunately, they offer little promise of long lasting effectiveness. What in the world can deliver on this promise? Are there any natural solutions out there?

My answer is yes.

Shut Down Anxiety  introduces methods, strategies and techniques that have been shown to quiet anxiety. They turn down the volume of the overactive flight-fight  sympathetic nervous system that inflames neurological difficulties. I did not invent these techniques. They have been extracted and simplified from an extensive body of contributions by experienced practitioners and researchers..

A bonus of the course is a download of my book Halt Anxiety with Proven Techniques which covers a wide variety of simple techniques that help reduce anxiety. There is no doubt but that using these techniques provides relief from anxiety. Every little bit of help counts for something. You will receive the download of this book to your computer immediately after registering for the course.

The content of my Shut Down Anxiety course introduces natural, self administered therapies and techniques that achieve relief that is long lasting rather than temporary.  It focuses on ways that cut to the core of what drives you crazy with relentless anxiety.

What sustains and inflames anxiety is unresolved trauma whether physical, mental or emotional. None of us can ever change or erase traumas of the past. But there are highly effective methods that make it possible to release, remove and detach their debilitating impact.

Many former students have asked to know more about how they can let go of the grip past traumas have had on them. This course is in response to these requests. Once the fuel of unresolved trauma that inflames anxiety is exhausted, a relief from symptoms follows. Sometimes is is impossible to know why we are so anxious all the time.  Approaches and techniques will be covered in the course which bring to the surface the underlying sources of anxiety that are entirely unknown and release their grip on us.

Six live classes will convene on Thursdays during April and May at 12:00 pm Pacific time (USA) on the following days: April 4, 11, 18, 25 and May 2, 9. I am your instructor. You will have the opportunity to join the classes by phone or computer and get all of your questions answered about any of the methods, ideas and techniques I will discuss. I also am happy to address any other issues that may be up for you.

Replays and notes are available for all classes.

Tuition for Shut Down Anxiety
$144

Early Bird Special $94 available now

Robert Rodgers PhD
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
https://www.parkinsonsdisease.me
877-526-4646

 

Solutions for Parkinson’s Symptoms

On Parkinsons Recovery Radio today. Fred Phillips offered his insights into how he gets immediate relief from a variety of his Parkinson’s symptoms.  His solutions for Parkinson’s symptoms are novel and profound. Do you ever have difficulty when walking with:

  • Freezing?
  • Standing up?
  • Shuffling?
  • Slowness?
  • Leg Cramps?

If so, I strongly recommend that You listen to my interview with Fred today. Click the arrow below to hear the replay. Fred has discovered some powerful, yet simple solutions to these
symptoms that have helped him enormously.

One of now over 70 pioneers of recovery I have hosted on Parkinsons Recovery radio, Fred also previews his 10 step protocol for recovery.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease

 

 

 

How Long Does Recovery from Parkinson’s Disease Take?

  •  What is the bottom line to recovery from Parkinson’s disease?
  • What is the secret to making recovery from Parkinson’s disease happen?

Most people hold near and dear to their heart the beliefs that recovery has to  …

  • Take years to unfold
  • Requires medications and supplements
  • Happens for only a select few
  • Involves expensive therapies
  • Happens only when you find the right therapist, health care practitioner or doctor who has the “secret” answer to recovery
  • Calls for outside interventions of one form or another 

I used to believe all of this was true. Not today. I hold a much different belief that recovery is possible for

  • Anyone
  • Anywhere
  • Anytime

Anytime Can Mean Now

Why do I embrace this seemingly outrageous belief?

Many people who experience symptoms of Parkinson’s have told me about unexpected blocks of time (a few minutes, hours, days) when their symptoms disappeared completely.

Surprisingly. these accounts more often than not involve situations which cannot be explained by taking (or not taking) medications or supplements or turning on or off a DBS battery connection.  

 Is this a familiar circumstance for you? Have you celebrated the quieting of symptoms unexpectedly? If it has ever happened once for you, I believe it can happen all the time.

What usually happens in when symptoms are unexpectedly quieted?

Our own thoughts are our undoing. The “thinking” process is something like:

  • Wow – I feel great. I feel normal.
  • Wait – this is not supposed to happen.
  • I have Parkinson’s Disease. I am supposed to get worse, not better.
  • It feels a bit strange to feel so good.
  • I do not deserve to feel so damn good.
  • When any minor evidence of a symptoms resurfaces – the thought is: Oh right. There it is again. I know I will never be rid of this. I might as well get used to it.
  • Fear sizzles throughout the cells of the body

Almost all success stories involve people who have found ways to acknowledge when …

  • Fear rears its ugly head
  • Anxiety soars
  • Stress sizzles
  • Worries rattle over and over in our mind

And

Once fears, anxieties, stresses and worries are recognized, any and all unwanted feelings are quieted and calmed, allowing the physical body to return to a state of balance and harmony.

The answer lies entirely within your ability to recognize and release stress and anxiety in the moment.  In other words, you can make it happen for yourself now. This put you…

In full control over your recovery

What are the triggers in your life? What sets you off? A wide variety of stimuli can “set us off” into a spiral. The possibilities of triggers are endless. 

  • Smells?
  • People?
  • Strangers who look like certain people?
  • Noises?
  • Colors?
  • Shapes?
  • Words other people use?
  • Memories?
  • Touching of one type or another?
  • Invasive actions by others?
  • People who want to control you?
  • Thoughts about the future?
  • Frets about the past?

You may never intellectually understand why any of the above “sets you off” and inflames fear and/or anxiety. It just does. End of story.

I believe the answer is not to attempt to sort through the reasons why (something like the smell of a certain perfume sets you off or …) but to recognize what you get upset and immediately …

Change the Channel

It is like you are watching a movie that is upsetting you – so what do you do?

  1. You immediately stop watching the bad movie.
  2. Then you change the channel to something that is pleasing to your soul.

When stress is dissolved, symptoms immediately dissolve like an ice cream cone melting in the hot summer sun. Set the intention to make it so with each and every moment of your life from henceforth.

The best deal of becoming aware of your wanted reactions each and every moment and quieting them in the moment they flare is that the therapy is entirely free!

Robert Rodgers PhD
Jump Start to Recovery
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease 

 

 

Stress and Trauma

I just want you to know that I had previously started to recover from Parkinson’s because of the work I have been doing about letting go of the stress and trauma in my body by using Louise L Hay method. I’m following her book” You Can Heal Your Body“.

I have noticed quite a significant reduction in my symptoms already. They’re not completely gone but they are reducing and I am definitely on the road to recovery. I am sure your program will help even more. I just know that I will be symptom-free! I have no doubt about it.

So thank you for your jump start to Recovery program.

My vision that I hold in my thoughts are having you interview me on your radio show and I am sharing on how I  recovered from Parkinsons.. And the other vision I have is me telling my neurologist I no longer have Parkinson’s and him giving me a score of 0 on the Parkinson’s scale.

Regards,

Gail

Stressed Out?

Sick and Tired of Being Stressed Out?

My radio show this Wednesday (1/20) features Jeffrey Brantley MD who is an international expert on stress and anxiety. Author of a series of best selling books on mindfulness, Dr. Brantley is one of the founding faculty members of the Duke University’s Integrative Medicine initiative which has won praise from researchers across the globe.

If you are sick and tired of being stressed out and fare anxious pretty much all the time, be sure to catch this interview! This radio program will air on Wednesday at 11:00 AM Pacific time.

Jeff Brantley on Parkinsons Recovery Radio

Cause of Parkinson’s Symptoms

The cause of Parkinson’s symptoms seems to be varied. As you say, what works for one doesn’t always work for everyone.

There is an American site www.23andme.com Their focus is on DNA of PD suffers and I have given them my DNA. They have all sorts of questionnaires, the only common denominator they have found so far is not based on DNA of the people they have sampled. What they have found so far is that PD people don’t like sky diving and they like sweet things. To my mind sky diving = stress (stress hormone) and sweet things = sugar.

My PD symptoms came after I had a car accident. I wasn’t physically injured but was badly shaken. I had been working 12 hour day and night shifts for 5.5 years prior to the accident. Frankly, I was physically exhausted at that time. I have a sweet tooth as well. So there are the two components “stress” and “sugar”. For me, the other one could be “protein” as it blocks my PD medication.

So the stress hormone, sugar and protein are factors in my case. The answer may be in there somewhere.

Ross

Stress and Parkinson’s Disease

It is well known that stress has a direct and profound impact on the symptoms that are associated with Parkinson’s Disease. The connection is immediate. When you are stressed symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease will inevitably flare up.

Without stress, the symptoms of Parkinson’s have a terribly difficult time showing up. How can you reduce the stresses in your daily life? One profound, natural and effective approach for reducing stress is to become more mindful and present to the each and every moment.

I must confess I did not have a clue how to become more mindful until I began a project in collaboration with Nancy Welch several years ago. Nancy, a psychotherapist and expert on Mindfulness as well as chronic illness, and I conducted interviews with national experts on mindfulness during 2010. Their wisdom is now captured in Nancy’s new book, Medicine and Meditation, which has just been released as a paper back and a download to your computer.

Nancy Welch’s new book is entitled: Medicine and Meditation, Conversations on Mindfulness in the Management of Chronic Pain and Illness is a true gem. Some of you may have listened to some of these interviews when they were aired live. Her new book explains in detail how we all can become more mindful which reduces stress and invites our hormones to come back into balance. I believe the potential for reversing the symptoms of Parkinson’s is significant when mindfulness is practiced. .

The print book is $14.99 and the download is $9.99. For further information and to order, visit:

www.medicinemeditation.com

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

How Can Toxins or Stress Be Removed?

Question:

How can toxins or stress be removed if it’s trapped at a cell level?

Gino

Response:

This is certainly an important question. There area wide variety of detox methods that remove toxins and a wide selection of approaches that assist the body with releasing trauma.No gold standard exists for either because everyone’s body is different.

Many people discover that one therapy will work for a while. Then, they have to switch off to another in order to continue the recovery process. Different methods are successful at different points in the recovery process.

One of the reasons I air the radio show every week is to offer a wide variety of choices you can consider. Whether my guest is a health care practitioner or a person who currently experiences the symptoms of Parkinson’s, they usually tap into their approach for detoxing and de-stressing. People with the symptoms of Parkinson’s talk about what therapies are working for them. It doesn’t mean it will work for you – but it is a starting place.

I am guessing you were hoping for a much more simplistic answer -perhaps a few websites to visit. There are hundreds of resources out there for you to pick and choose from.

The most important step is to begin taking action now. Initiate your own exploration. Call or e mail some of my radio show guests. Get more information.  See what calls out to you.

You really can’t go wrong. Most of the therapies people find are the most helpful are safe, non-intrusive and effective. The only side effect is improved health on some level.

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


I Want to be Proactive Rather than Reactive

Question:


I have been faithfully reading your daily mails and find them quite comforting.  Here’s my problem.

I won’t be seeing a neurologist until November 15th.    My family doctor’s suspicion of Parkinson’s Disease is based on the fact that my hand tremors are ‘resting’ tremors.

Whenever I have the courage to check for more information online, I find information which makes me think it could possibly be caused by something else, i.e. genes (my dad had a bit of a tremor in his hand), low blood sugar (although I am not diabetic.  The tremors seem to get better when I drink a pop, not diet.) … you get my meaning, I’m sure.

I also am very much aware of the fact that the tremors get a lot worse when I try to suppress them.  If I sit on my hand, they seem to move into my shoulder.  They also almost go away completely when I am totally relaxed (they come back at the slightest sign of stress).

I would like to do something to help myself while I wait for my appointment.  I would like to be proactive rather than reactive.  Is there something you can recommend?  I know there are many good suggestions on your web page, but it’s information overload for me still.

Any suggestion will be much appreciated.

Lis

Response:

I feel the information overload too. There are so many opportunities out there – which ones do you pursue? It gets really overwhelming. That really is why I began doing the Jump Start to Wellness programs – to help people shift through the maze of options to find therapies that are right for them and their bodies.

Let me offer a few suggestions you might want to talk with your doctor about.

Stop eating dairy products.

Exercise every day. Exercise addresses the stress.

Use body therapies that release the stress like cranio-sacral therapy, Bowen therapy, Tin Tui Na, vibroacoustic therapy, etc.  As you well know, when you can release the stress that is trapped in your tissues, your symptoms will not flare when you are under stress in the moment.

Toxins are a big factor. I have no idea what you have tried – but zeolite is a great detox. There are several companies who offer zerolite detoxes. I interviewed Robert Bonham,  Ph.D.  several months ago. You might want to listen to that radio show interview. Detoxing with zeolite has the potential to offer significant relief.

I am hot on the trail of a supplement that I have been taking which has given me incredible energy. It offers the body a way of making glutathione naturally. I will talk about it on my radio show this next week. It is called Can-C Plus -and has been used in conjunction which eye drops that reverse cataracts. Looks to me like it is a great anti-aging supplement and I am guessing it may provide great relief from neurological challenges. I think this supplement may provide many people with Parkinson’s relief from their symptoms. It is all speculation – but I am excited nonetheless.

Finally – are you adequately hydrated? If your body is not getting enough water – symptoms will be worse. John Coleman recommends aquas (www.aquas.us). Whatever approach you use, be sure that your body is adequently hydrated every day.

I would not worry over a diagnosis. It is just a guess anyway. Your body has the power to heal itself when given the support and nourishment it needs to heal.

Give you body the support it needs to come back into balance and you will be pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources
Dehydration Therapy: Aquas
Parkinsons Recovery Membership
Parkinsons Eye Problems
Vibroacoustic Therapy
Jump Start to Wellness
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Symptom Tracker
Parkinsons Recovery Radio Network

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

Stress and Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Comment:

While I have wondered for the past 4 months whether the tremors I experienced might be the early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, seeing my family doctor today and having her refer me to a neurologist has finally given me the courage to read up on this horrible disease. Among other web pages, I found yours.

I would like to tell you that I believe you have a valid thought in suggesting that STRESS may be a reason for contracting the disease.

Almost a year ago I signed up for internet marketing coaching.  I set up a LLC and paid close to $ 15,000.00. It did not take long for me to realize that I had been badly scammed.  Still, having spent the money I wanted to give this my very best effort. This, on top of fighting with my recruiters and coaching company plus trying to stop these people from scamming other innocents and basically getting nowhere has brought on my symptoms.

I am a 71 year old female.  The reason I dared take on the online marketing was that I have always been super healthy.

Not anymore.

Lis


Response:

Thanks so much for giving me permission to post your story on the blog of how stress has been a major contributor to symptoms of Parkinsons that you currently experience.

People tell me over and over that when they are under stress, their symptoms flare. When they are stress free, their symptoms subside.  The correlation is profound.

The good news is that there are multitude of safe, noninvasive therapies that can help reduce the trauma and stress that you are experiencing in the moment.  The end result is often a set of symptoms which do not interfere with your life or which are entirely absent (until stress rears its ugly head again).

Know that there are many people who are on the road to recovery.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

Resources
Dehydration Therapy: Aquas
Parkinsons Recovery Membership
Parkinsons Eye Problems
Vibroacoustic Therapy
Jump Start to Wellness
Parkinsons Recovery Radio CDs
Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room
Symptom Tracker
Parkinsons Recovery Radio Network

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

Roller Coaster Ride

Gabby gave me permission to post her e mail to me today in response to one of my newsletters. May her strength and courage be an inspiration to us all.

Robert Rodgers, PhD

Thanks Robert for this much needed inspiration. I got a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes because it felt like you were describing me to a T. I feel like I’m on a roller coaster and never know what to expect from one day to the next.

On good days I feel great (like the old me) and sometimes even catch myself wondering whether my diagnosis was accurate. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, I’ll have a few really bad days, my tremors will get worse and my chest muscles are in such pain I struggle to breathe. Having historically been a very healthy and active person who has also been a bit of a control freak, I am struggling to adjust to my new life of uncertainty.

Having said that I am very spiritual and know that God has literally carried me this last year. I also believe very much in the power of our minds and as a single mom of 2 teenagers I just have to cope. It has helped me to remain as positive as possible, put my head down and just push through, taking one day at a time and knowing that God is there to help me when the going gets tough.

I have just recently started a new job which is extremely pressurized and stressful and I am really struggling to keep my head above water but don’t really have a choice. I have been quite concerned about the effect this is having on my condition but your email has encouraged me to just remain positive and believe that I can cope and I will be okay!

Thank you.

Gabby

Stress and Parkinson’s Disease

I am in England and have been reading your messages for a while and they are a great help to me. I was diagnosed last year but have steadfastly refused to accept anything other than that I am going to get better eventually.

I think my problem has been great stress over a long period of time starting with the way my mother treated me. I went to a dowser who suggested I needed to remodel the way my unconscious mind works. I have been having hypnotherapy for about 2 months but have not finished yet. However I already feel I am improving. It is difficult for me to assess because in the middle I decided I needed a kick start to make me feel better so I could build on something so  I have been taking Amantadine for about 6 weeks – I think I am still seeing gradual improvement. I also take various supplements. I haven’t yet asked my body what it needs but I will be putting it to the test.

Anyway I just wanted to say thanks for all the e-mails – I look forward to them.

Annie

Stress and Parkinson’s

Question:

How do you reduce stress?

Terry

Response:

Stress is directly connected to the symptoms of Parkinson’s. When relaxed and care free, symptoms are minimal or nonexistent.

There are a variety of possibilities for reducing  stress. They best way to approach the goal is on a moment to moment basis.

1. Exercise. Many people tell me that when they feel anxious or are worried, exercise does the trick beautifully.

2. Meditate. Be quite and still for a minute. Focus on your breath. I am not talking here about a big deal. One minute will do during the moment when you need it. I have just finished a series of interviews with people who are experts on meditation for a book with Nancy Welch, Medicine Meditation.

There are many different approaches to meditation. The trick is to find an approach that works for you. Regardless of the method you are drawn to, the  idea behind meditation is to still the mind babble which aggravates and inflames the stress.

3. Laugh. This is a simple suggestion, but it works. I post a joke a day on the Parkinsons Recovery member website. Laughing out loud gives an immediate dopamine rush. That is pretty cool if you ask me.

The irony is that you do not even have to think the joke is funny. Laugh out loud and you will get an immediate dopamine rush. The only side effect to laughter is improved health on some level.

4. Try holysnc (which is available from a variety of sources). I have written a review of my ecperience with Holysync with regard to how it reduced my own stress.

This method was created about 80 years ago by Robert Monroe. It consists of sounds that have slightly different frequencies which are sent to the two sides of the brain through headphones.

I personally used this technology for about two years. I listened to tapes for about 30 minutes a day. Very gradually, the little things that stressed me out no longer had any impact whatsoever. I would listen for about a minute and instantly be asleep.

5. Get body work. Cranial sacral body work or energy work can be extremely helpful. There are physical blockages which twist and contort the body’s tissues that are released and removed through gentle body work. Everyone has blockages to one degree or another and, in my opinion, everyone in a body should consider getting body work of one form or another.

I have used many different forms of body work for myself – energy healing, cranial sacral therapy, reiki, healing touch. zen massage, Bowen therapy. I recommend you try some of these wonderful techniques out and see which one your body likes the best.

6. My concluding suggestion is to acknowledge that many stresses are external to us. We are impacted by our parents or children or spouses or partners or money or jobs or the world condition or the economy – you name it. When I feel the external world invading my internal space, I have a mantra which helps me.

“I honor the fate of [my child, my parents, etc.l  What do I need now?”

The mantra instantly connects me to myself rather  than responding to other external issues. Worrying about other people’s issues is a cleaver way for me to avoid a connection with myself. When I ask myself the question,

“why I am here on the earth?

Much of the stress I carry is instantly released.

Combine the strategies and you get an even bigger result.

© 2009 Parkinsons Recovery

Stress and Parkinson’s Disease

Comment:

I know stress is a major player in my Parkinson’s symptoms.  I have chronic pain and suffering from a surgery to my face that developed into what is referred to as a central pain disorder.  Meaning, the central nervous system has become involved.  I think it interesting that where this takes place is in the vicinity of the Substantia Nigra area of the brain where Parkinson’s develops.  I’ve always thought there might be a connection.

I take 2 anti-epileptic (dangerous) drugs in order to function but this still leaves me with unbelievable discomfort that registers on my consciousness at all times. This, I see, as  one of my greatest challenges to any kind of recovery.  The others are :

1) Subtle stress in most everything I do (I just realized this) and

2) Negative thought patterns even though I see myself as a positive person.

I had childhood trauma and trauma as a young woman. I developed an autoimmune disease at age 22 that most often is not manifested in anyone younger than 50.  I attribute this to a sensitive body that could not handle the devastation of estrogen packed birth control pills manufactured in the early 70’s.

Anita

Chronic Stress

We are interviewing Sandra Taylor today, former Wall Street executive, now Zen priest. Sandra does not have the symptoms of Parkinsons, but she does have extensive experience with trauma and chronic stress. She will talk about an approach for dealing with trauma that has worked beautifully for her.

EVENT: Chronic Stress and Meditation
DATE & TIME: Wednesday, May 13th at 10:00am Pacific
FORMAT: Simulcast! (Attend via Phone or Webcast — it’s your choice)
TO ATTEND THIS EVENT, CLICK THIS LINK NOW…
http://www.instantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=7346082

Parkinson’s and Stress

Question:

“In my opinion, 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.

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

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. 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.

http://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.    

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

© 2008 Parkinsons Recovery

In Search for a Cure: Is there a Holly Grail?

Question:

Are you familiar with the approach to
treating Parkinson’s used by the
Australian natural therapist
Noel Batten, detailed on his website
http://www.parkinsonsdiseasecure.com
and what is your opinion of that method?

Response:

Out of the many people I have talked
with or interviewed, I have not run
across one person who has had any
experience with this particular treatment
modality.

I am familiar with the web site and can
offer my reactions based on my impression
of his website.

It appears to me this man implicitly
offers a “cure” in five days. This is
quite ridiculous. No “cure” exists.

People certainly have recovered and are
symptom free today, but the minimum time
I have heard it takes to recover is two
years. The average time appears to be
3-4 years.

The sales pitch on the web site involves
before and after videos of people who
received his treatment. What you observe
are marked improvements. This is the norm
for many forms of body therapies.

People often do show marked improvement
after receiving a variety of different
treatments. They often look like
different people.

I have interviewed a number of people who
report seeing a therapists of one type of
another (craniosacral, Bowen, energy healing,
drumming, healing touch, reiki, etc.),
who tell me that for a period of time after
the treatment (4 hours, one day, two days –
the time varies) they were totally symptom
free. After the the brief honeymoon however,
symptoms returned.

The videos on this web site do show the
physical manifestation of trauma to the
physical body. The body becomes contorted
and twisted. Various body therapies
are helpful in releasing the tension that
is held in the body tissues.

The theme of this web site is:

Come to me. I will fix you.

This is not how people recover. The people
who recover wind up figuring out ways to
heal themselves.

No one can fix them or cure them. The tone
of the sales pitch on this web site feels
manipulative to me.

My research shows only a combination of
approaches will work. There is no single
answer. There is no holly grail.

There are however two benefits to a search
for the holly grail if you choose to go on
such a journey.

First, you exercise your mind. This
creates new neural pathways and is a good
thing. (Of course there are many other ways
to accomplish the same benefit).

Second, if you physically have to move or
travel to find the people who claim they
will fix you, you will receive the benefits
of physical exercise. This also is a good thing.

Does this man’s therapy help? I certainly can not
say.

I am very impressed in general with the
research on alternative therapies. Study
after study shows that one therapy after
another helps relieve symptoms.

I have stacks of studies for one therapy or
another that report positive findings. Many
studies use small samples, so the results
will never show statistical significance
because of the small sample sizes.

The actual effect sizes reported in
many studies are impressive. In some studies
effects are not large but they nonetheless
reflect improvements. Effects in many of
these studies are also larger than
any effects reported in the drug studies.

My point is that there a many modalities that
provide ways to get symptom relief. The challenge
is to do a little experimentation for yourself
and figure out which ways are most useful
for you.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

© 2008 Parkinsons Recovery

What Parkinson’s Disease Treatments Should My Fiancee Try Next?

Question:

Please bear with me as I write this…my fiancee was
diagnosed with Parkinson’s about 3 years ago. To
make a long story short, he’s made many lifestyle
changes (better dietary choices; no chemicals in his
home; takes soil-based organisms; limits stresses…)
and has been to multiple ND’s as well as MD’s for
interventions.

He’s only tried one conventional medicine, Reserp,
which resulted in severe palpitations. He has refused
all other medications because he believes that this
only addresses the symptoms and not the cause.

This is only a brief synopsis of what’s transpired
over the past few years, but I’m hoping I’ve included
enough info for you.

What can we try to help him recover from this disorder?
Neither of us believe that this “disease” is incurable,
but we are at a loss as to what to try next. Any help
you can send my way would be MOST APPRECIATED.

Response:

You have asked a great question. Parkinsons Recovery
is all about identifying a wide variety of alternatives
for people to consider who are committed to feeling
better.

You fiancee clearly is on the road to recovery and he
will get better. Keep in mind two realities. First, recovery 
is a gradual process which takes time and patience. 
You don’t start eating healthy food one week and see
dramatic improvements the next week. It takes the body
time to rejuvenate cells and to heal. 

Second, you do not report whether he is seeing any relief
from symptoms. Is he getting worse? Is he the same? Is
he getting better? My guess is that you and he probably
do not know the answer. I suggest that he begin to
track his symptoms. 

The link to Symptom Tracker is on the main page at
www.parkinsonsrecovery.com. Complete the questionnaire,
get a baseline, then repeat the assessment every month. 
It is free and only takes a few minutes to complete.  
He can see the progress of his improvement over time. 

From the tone of your letter is sounds like you are
both discouraged.  It is very possible that he is
actually improving – but neither of you see it. 

You use the terms “better dietary choices” which is
an interesting use of terms. You do not say “healthy
dietary choices.” I will be doing a teleseminar with
Randy Mentzer in the nest few weeks. Randy is
a certified nutritional counselor. Take this opportunity
to ask Randy about his dietary habits. 

It is possible that while his eating habits are
generally good he may be eating foods he is
allergic to. Keep in mind also that sugar is a
neuro toxin. If he is eating any sugar at all
it will be a challenge to feel better right now. 

You say he has no chemicals in his home. That
is awesome news. He may however have certain
toxins lodged in the tissues of his body. Most people
do. It is just a question of whether the extent of
exposure is too much for his body to process. 

There are some wonderful approaches to
detoxing that you two might evaluate. I will be
doing teleseminars with professionals who approach
detoxing in different ways. Hopefully, you will discover
an approach that feels right to pursue.

You do not mention hydration. When the body is
adequately hydrated it is able to cleanse itself
of toxins more readily.  John Coleman recommends
a homeopathic remedy for dehydration called the
aquas. You can find more information at
www.aquas.us

Finally, I would venture a guess that a factor
that is aggravating his symptoms is a sustained
and persistent level of stress and trauma. You say
he “limits” stress, but the truth is that any stress
can have a profound impact on our immune system
and on the health of our neurological  system. 

So as a final next step to consider, I would recommend
he investigate methods of releasing stress and trauma
that is lodged in the tissues of his body. As long as a
body is in a sustained state of stress. the symptoms
will not and cannot resolve.

There are many awesome approaches for relieving
stress and trauma that is lodged in the tissues of
the body: craniosacral therapy, Bowen therapy,
neuro-linguistic programming, biofeedback
to mention just a few. 

Which approach is right for him? Only he can figure that
answer out through experimenting using his intuition.
Different therapies work for different people. Only he
will know what is right for him.

Stayed tuned. I am gathering information every
week from professionals who are discussing therapies
that provide ways to address persistent stress and
longstanding trauma.

I hope these suggestions are of some use. Keep in
mind that there are dozens and dozens of therapies that
have helped people with Parkinson’s. Your fiance’s job
now is to figure out the ones that are right for him. 

He has set his intention. He has engaged the journey.
He will get better. Just watch. Be sure to celebrate
his progress as the two of you together track the
improvement in his symptoms over time.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery 

© 2008 Parkinsons Recovery