Hi Ben,

Here's some of my ideas.  good luck,

Ben wrote:
> Just in case it might be of benefit to someone else, I'll just keep it on
> the list.  The basic problem is that I have been severely damaged by
> vaccines.  I see that nutrition is helping me over the long-term, but I
> would like to find some complementary therapies that will ease the ride over
> the next few years.

> Here are some specific problems, although they are very similar among
> FMS/CFS patients:

> -poor circulation
> -heavy storage of toxins in brain, spine
> -sore lower back and neck
> -problems with energy, sleep

Poor circulation can be helped with taijichuan (tai chi) and qi-gong
exercises.  They are slow movements but some teachers are not well
trained.  The movements should be coupled with inhalation through
nostrils during movements of contraction and exhalation through the
mouth during expansion movements.  When done properly I have had
students feel increased circulation within 8 minutes, with warmth,
tingling and more energy at fingertips and toes.  After improved
circulation is restored, energy should improve within 12 weeks.  Brisk
walking and hiking in clean air in hilly areas are wonderful for
increasing circulation further and getting good cardio work outs.  These
should be added only after heavy fatigue is gone, along with very
gradual weight training (lots of reps, very light weights).  Stretching
should be a part of those exercises if you have a good teacher.  Doing
too much exercise too soon or increasing too fast is the usual mistake
of someone with CFS.

Swimming and going repeatedly between hot tub and pool are also useful
for improved circulation if you cannot find a good qigong teacher.

Chiropractic care for a brief period can help most who have low back and
neck pain, and if the right care, no more than 2 months would be useful;
also beneficial are:  spinal touch therapy, applied kinesiology aka
touch for health, tuina or chinese massage, jinshindo or acupressure
massage, shiatsu or japanese acupressure massage and reflexology.
Acupuncture is excellent for ALL those problems you mention.

Lastly, I'll lump foods and herbs together, as they are part of a
spectrum in TCM.  For these issues, I have used Chinese herbs in
concentrated form.  If you take herbs, generally avoid pre-made pills as
the majority are general combinations that are misfits for the
individual, based on commercial ideas of sales rather than
individualized, tailored recipes.  Also contaminants have been found in
those manufactured in Chinese factories.

I believe that the best most powerful type of herbal remedies are to
obtain single herbs fresh and raw, as with foods. However, many times
this is not possible since they are cultivated only in Asia.  For heavy
metal problems, both sea vegetables are a category of herbs that are
supposed to help detox bodies - raw and cooked sea vegetables are
supposed to be very useful in TCM.  Toasted nori is easy to purchase,
and all types of dehydrated sea vegetables are available in asian
grocers or health food stores.  Personally my favorites include toasted
nori, raw: wakame, pacific ribbon and kelp-types.  These vegetables can
be used in salads, soups or alone.  I use nori all the time to wrap up
mixtures of cole slaw or raw fish or sprouts.  Part of this whole
process is a cultural one - my clients often have a resistance to sea
vegetables because it is alien to American cuisine ( from feed back they
somehow think these foods are "dirty" with images of sandy messes at the
beach arising in their minds).

Specific herbs I recommend in a combination for these fatigue problems
always include dioscorea and licorice; for sleep - albizzia and
polygonum stem; for sore neck - pueraria; for sore back loranthus,
cuscuta seed and achyranthes.  If you were here I'd make a mixture in
the traditional proportions for you with exactly these in a concentrate
form.  a Dried sliced piece of licorice root can be put in the mouth and
chewed on until the taste is gone.

These or any herbs should NOT be taken as a "drug" is prescribed to
alleviate problems, but to speed the healing process.  The body would
absorb the healing energies of these iteims.  If proper, you would feel
relief, then be able to taper down to none at all after the healing is
on its way.

In TCM kidney meats are supposed to nourish the low back; fresh raw fish
is supposed to be a "yang" or energetic food that isn't too "heating".
But then you must be careful to avoid parasites etc.  Flesh foods are
supposed to be more energizing and warming, so if you have insomnia
disruptions I'd eat flesh foods at lunch but none at dinner.

You didn't mention headaches, but this is common with the whole syndrome
I encounter with patients who have your pattern.  Chinese chrysanthemum
is good for this.

A wide variety and not too much of anything at one time for too long, of
any/all the raw foods is most important, including honey.  Raw foods
have a clearing-cooling property that translates into "anti-toxin."
Starchy foods can slow down a detox process if you are getting a lot of
symptoms too fast, and I only approve of boiled cooked brown rice for
these types of problems - no bread, potato, noodles etc.

That's similar to a brief advice I would offer a patient with similar
problems, without knowing anything more.  Please, please don't take this
as medical care - I have to give my usual disclaimer since there is of
course no way for me to diagnose and treat you over email.  I am giving
you general guidelines from the TCM and natural care I have seen results
with.  Paul Pritchford's book discusses the food/herbs in great depth,
if you haven't seen it.


regards with my good thoughts for your continued improvement,

roberta
[log in to unmask]