People Who Discovered Natural Treatments for Parkinson’s Disease
Tell Stories of Their Recovery

Pioneers of Recovery is a 364 page book that covers natural therapies for Parkinsons recommended by health care professionals and persons with Parkinson’s who discuss the ways they reversed their symptoms.
Each person has a unique story, but each story is packed with hope and promise for a better tomorrow. Of course, recovery can be slow and frustrating, but the stories reveal an indisputable truth. A little experimentation and courage goes a long way toward fitting pieces of the puzzle of recovery together.


People with Parkinsons are discovering effective ways to get good relief from their symptoms with natural methods. Some people are symptom free today. There is hope, especially when you see what smart things people with Parkinson’s are doing for themselves to get well.
About the Interviews with Pioneers
What follows the questions I asked of each pioneer. Each person I interviewed read and edited the transcript of their interview. The interviews capture what the person really said and meant, not my interpretation of what they said or meant.
Andrew Bentley – Herbalist

Andrew Bentley
Herbalist
- What does a herbalist do for people?
- What herbs in your past experience are helpful for people who have central nervous system challenges?
- If a person came in and had a dominate tremor, that would inform a certain set of herbs or maybe just one dominate herb versus if someone came in with a dominate symptom of pain and rigidity, that would inform a different recommendation of herbs?
- Many people ask me a question about excessive salivation. Is there anything you would suggest as a possibility in the herbal area for that?
- What would be recommendations for a person who presents depression as a primary symptom?
- Could you talk about your experience with people who have the symptoms of Parkinsons and how these herbs have helped them?
- It sounds like for the people with Parkinson’s that you have seen the results are indeed encouraging. People are seeing relief from their symptoms. You offer hope that there are people who have become virtually symptom free – maybe not totally – but virtually symptom free. Do I understand that correctly? Is that what you said?
- One specific herb that I do not think you have mentioned (and what many people are interested in is called Mucuna.
Many people have been acquiring that from India as a dopamine supplement. Do you prescribe Mucuna for your patients?

Carl Buchheit
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
- Can NLP be useful to persons who have the symptoms of Parkinson’s?
- One of the common symptoms of Parkinson’s is anxiety. If a person were to focus on a specific
event or events that create the anxiety, then would it be possible working with an NLP therapist to find quick relief from that anxiety? - You mentioned some of the misinformation on the internet about NLP. Do you have other books or tapes or CD’s that you would recommend people might look at to find out more about NLP?
- There are many people that believe once they are diagnosed with Parkinson’s they are always going to get worse. From my understanding of what you have said, you have worked with individuals with Parkinson’s who have gotten better. Is that correct?

Chris Bliss
Comedian, Juggler
- When you are juggling and when you are in that place of perfect balance and harmony, hat does it feel like?
- In your shows you do both the comedy and juggling. As I understand it, what you are saying is that many times that place of perfect harmony and balance is actually present when you are doing both, not just when you are juggling?
- For people with the symptoms of Parkinsons fear and tress are huge issues. When fear and stress are up, symptoms flare. Do you ever feel fearful or stress when you are juggling? How do you get yourself out of being in fear when fear rolls in while you are performing, if it ever does?
- People with Parkinsons who are finding ways to feel better tell me that there are certain things that help them feel more in balance. I want to ask you if you do these things.
- Many who have the symptoms of Parkinson’s tell me they are very careful about making sure they are properly hydrated, that they drink enough water. Is that anything that is conscious for you?
- People also tell me they have various ways they relieve stress. Everybody faces stress every day. One of the ways to release stress is humor. Is humor one of the biggest ways you relieve your own stress?
- A number of people have told me that they have had great relief from their symptoms because they have such strong support systems and support networks. Yet, you are often traveling. You are all over the place. Do you have a strong social network or support system for yourself?
- What practical suggestions do you have for people who are trying to live their lives in that very same space you are in when you are juggling?

Jean Oswald, R.N., CCA – Aromatherapist
- When I use the term “essential oils” what is that exactly? What is an essential oil?
- How would I know what type of essential oil will help me? For example, if my symptoms are tremors and rigidity, are there specific essential oils that can help offer me some relief from my symptoms?
- Has there been research to evaluate the impact of essential oils?
- What if an individual has problems with muscle rigidity and it is very difficult for them to move with ease. What is an essential oil that might help relieve that particular symptom?
- How about the problem of tremors? What essential oils might be recommended to relieve that symptom?
- A problem some people have is with excessive salivation. Are there any essential oils that come to mind specifically for that symptom?
- How about insomnia?
- Many people I interview talk quite extensively about stress and how that affects them. When they are under extreme stress their symptoms flare up. Can essential oils address the problems that stress creates?
- There are some reports that pathogens and bacterial infections confound the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Do essential oils have the potential to address those pathogens?

Lisa Brown
Physical Therapist
- If I am a person who has had these challenges, when I go to you is it a question of your moving my arms and legs around so that they are more flexible or do you work with me in terms of helping me how to walk?
- A lot of people you see have had difficulty with falls or other problems. Is there any reason why a person who is first diagnosed with the symptoms of Parkinson’s should come to you in the very beginning?
- When a person comes to see you is it likely that they will get a relief from symptoms and feel better or are they going to feel worse?
- You have extensive experience working with persons who have Parkinson’s. Do you have an exercise protocol that you give to people that you recommend everybody does or is the work you do very specific to the person’s needs?
- What would you say is the most important thing for persons with Parkinson’s to know about movement and about flexibility? What would you want them to know would be most important?

Steve Fenwick, Ph.D. – Psychologist
- What often happens then is that when a person comes to see you, they will come with a dream and you will help them sort through what that dream means?
- Let’s say a person with the symptoms of Parkinson’s is shaking or tremoring. What might be an interpretation that is possible of the shaking or tremoring in the context of the person’s entire life?
- Let’s say I had Parkinson’s and I came to you. We begin to work together and the approach is to help me exaggerate my symptoms which is tremoring of my hand. Am I going to have certain thoughts that I didn’t expect? Will I have certain feelings that I didn’t expect or revelations? What is likely to happen?
- How might people with Parkinson’s be helped if they do Process Work? Is it going to be connected somehow with being able to get some relief from their symptoms and feeling better?

John Coleman, ND
Naturopath
- How did you come to the realization you could get better when all indications were that you would get worse?
- There is so much information out there about what is supposed to help – vitamins, supplements, body therapies, etc. etc. How did you go about deciding what to try in terms of therapies, supplements, doctors, etc.?
- Which therapies/approaches did not work for you?
- What has helped you get the most relief from your own symptoms?
- Is there anything in particular that you recommend for the symptoms of:
-
- Inability to sleep
- Pain
- Constipation
- Tremors
- What was recovery like for you?
- What about your patients… what has their experience been like?
- Among your patients with Parkinson’s, how many are getting relief
from their symptoms? How many have been able to see full relief from
their symptoms? - Does a person have to make any lifestyle changes to recover?
- It took you three and a half years to recover. That is a long time to sustain hope. How did you do it?
- How can I reduce or manage my rigidity, spasms and burning sensations?
- When should we start taking medication?
- Could you discuss the approaches using the Emotional Freedom Technique for my Parkinson’s condition and your opinion of the value of the technique?
- How long did it take you see substantial symptom relief? How long did it take to become symptom free?

Max
- Can you talk a little bit about the detoxing work that you have done and the Ayurvedic work?
- Is it hard to stick to a diet?
- Your experience varies from day to day? Every day is a new experience?
- You notice a very strong, direct relationship between stress and the symptoms?
- What types of things do you do other than all the meds to be able to release some of that stress that you’re under?
- If there is one thing you would say about what’s helped you the most to be able to feel better and get relief from your symptoms, what would it be? What would you tell people they really should do, whatever it may be?

Sandy
- What are some of the struggles you have had with Parkinson’s? Are you taking traditional medications?
- Do you take other supplements or herbs or vitamins?
- What are some of the things you do to help you feel better?
- You have really been able to continue doing all the things you have always done without much interruption?
- I am sure there are modalities, therapies and approaches that you have tried since you have had Parkinson’s that really did not offer much help. Could you talk about those?
- What about other approaches, therapies and modalities that you have tried that have offered you some relief and have helped you feel better?
- When you say they tested you for lead and mercury, was this with saliva or blood or hair samples or …? How did the test actually work?
- Many believe once you begin to have the symptoms of Parkinson’s you are always going to get worse and feel worse. From what you have described it sounds like that really has not happened for you. Is that right?
- When tension comes up what happens when you choose to exercise rather than relax?
- Do the symptoms get better when you exercise?

Stan
- We are all interested to know what you have tried, what has worked and what has not. Could you talk a bit about what your experience has been?
- When you talk about meditation could you possibly say a little more about specifically what type of meditative approach works best for you?
- Do you notice when you do this meditative technique that there is a relief in symptoms?
- What other approaches or natural therapy do you use that you find gives you relief of your symptoms?
- Are there any dietary concerns that you have or that you would like other people to know about that seem to make a difference?
- So what about exercise? Do you notice any connection between activity, exercise and feeling better?
- What would you want to say to someone who has just heard the news that they have Parkinson’s?
- Over the course of the period that you have had the symptoms, it sounds like what you have been able to do is to find a number of ways to get relief as those symptoms begin to flare up?

Mary
- What you have been doing to get relief from your symptoms?
- What about craniosacral work?
- You have done so many therapies and tried so many things. Some of them haven’t helped and some of them have. Are you getting better?
- Is there anything that you would want to be sure and say to a person who is just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s?
- About how much time everyday or every week do you spend on your exercise program?
- You definitely notice a difference? When you exercise you feel better and when you don’t exercise you feel worse?

Nathan
- Tell us who you are and what your story is in terms of having had Parkinson’s and being able to recover.
- You mentioned that a lot of the work that you were doing was challenging. After you were able to recover, were you able to go back full steam into doing work and other kind of activities?
- What would you say to somebody who has just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s?
- Are you in contact with or do you know many other people whose story is similar to yours – people who had Parkinson and have been able to get relief from their symptoms?
- Could you summarize for people, from just your own experience and observations of others, what is it that happens to others who do not recover – who are not able to feel better?
- You’ve also described your own recovery is not exactly a smooth ride up. Are there some rocky spots on the path to recovery?
- What do you have to do to help your body detox?

Carl
- What generally did the doctors recommend would be a good path to pursue?
- Can you talk a bit about exactly what you’re doing now? Are you still doing the craniosacral therapy?
- Are you taking supplements of one kind or another?
- Are there any dietary rules that you have for yourself that are important?
- What would you say to anyone who’s just discovered that they’ve been diagnosed with Parkinson’s? What kind of help, insight or comments would you want them to hear?
- Is there anything that you’ve regretted doing? Or trying?

Taube
- So, you’ve responded by getting a lot of good medical advice and attention. What other kinds of things have you done in response to this medical challenge?
- What do you suppose might have been the contributing factors that created the symptoms for you?
- You’re out there exploring and experimenting and have quite fascinating
experiences. For a person that might first be discovering that they have the symptoms of Parkinson’s, what would you want to say to them? What advice would you give to them? - When you say you do eat well, could you provide any specifics on that? I mean, steak, mashed potatoes, french fries, milkshakes? What is it that you like to eat? What do you try to avoid?
- Did you get some relief from your symptoms after attending Hypocrates? Have you been able to keep up with the dietary regimen?
- When you are eating food that your body needs and loves you feel better, so that is a motivator in itself?
Summary
I invite you to select some of the approaches to recovery previewed in Pioneers of Recovery to launch your own personal program of recovery. There are many genuinely rich and useful approaches to recovery. Once you discover options that work the magic for you you have launched a successful journey down the road to recovery.
Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
https://www.parkinsonsrecovery.com
Olympia, Washington
robert@parkinsonsrecovery.com
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