The alternative medicine approaches that I have elected to use include using
high dosages of vitamins for stress reduction/depression (instead of anti-
depressants); herbal supplements (to complement the vitamin regimen and help
with improving energy and nerve function); exercise (pool aerobics, lap
swimming, light weight lifting with multiple repetitions for endurance
training, and walking); and cranio-sacral therapy. If you are interested in
specifics re: doseages, let me know.
If you are interested in CranioSacral therapy (CST), I would suggest looking
at the Upledger Institutes site at: http://www.upledger.com
For those of you who do not know what it is, it is a gentle hands on method of
enhancing the function of the craniosacral system (the membranes and fluid
that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord). I have recently located
a certified practitioner, who is also an instructor, in a form of CST called
"Somato-Emotional" Release. This form of therapy is used to help people get
rid of emotional tension that is subconcious. I have a friend, who is an
incomplete quad following a ski accident, that is WALKING AND DRIVING
following CST, that conventional medicine was not able to touch (he was
chairbound). The only thing I would caution you to do is to make sure that
the practioner is CERTIFIED.
Another good item to check into on the Upledger site is the International
Association of Healthcare Practitioners. They will be publishing a directory
within the next few months of more than 35,000 practitioners and what courses
they have taken. Unfortunately, I was told that laws were passed that made it
so Upledger could no longer make recommendations of practitioners to you over
the phone. You can, however, call your local clinics and ask for names of
people that have been certified and then verify it through them. If they have
a record of the person they can share that with you.
It is a lot of work, but Don would tell you that it has made a significant
difference in his quality of life. I have only had one somato-emotional
treatment thus far. . . I'll let you know how it goes. Unfortunately, I am in
a financial position where I cannot go as often as I would like.
God Bless. I will keep your nephew, Craig, in my prayers.
Laura