Our nervous system has the most amazing self-corrective properties. There is a multitude of research today validating a nerve’s ability to regenerate when faced with trauma. This is the primary reason why some people with spinal cord injuries are able to gain return of their arms and legs over time. But what about the degeneration of the nervous system—what contributes to this process? Today, there are so many widely researched etiologies for neurologic disease, including trauma, infection, inflammation, and toxicity such as heavy metal toxicity, and more. When the body is faced with any of these elements, its self-healing capacities are inhibited and thereby, nerve regeneration is not optimal.
When considering neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and ALS, the degeneration of the nervous system affects the whole body. Many claim that genetics plays a large role in neurodegenerative disorders. Certainly genetics are always a factor. Dr. Jeffrey Bland, the father of Functional Medicine which is a progressive and well researched form of nutritional wellness, states that genetic expression can be altered by diet, lifestyle, and environment. This does not mean that the actual gene changes, but rather, how it expresses itself changes. Another scientist, Dr. Bruce Lipton, has contributed to tremendous research in the field of cellular biology and a relatively new field of science called epigenetics. Dr. Lipton claims that gene expression is determined by an encasement of proteins over the gene. This protein encasement can be affected by diet, lifestyle, and environment. The way that the gene expresses itself determines whether the person manifests certain diseases and illness that they may be genetically prone to. In the case of Parkinson’s, for example, there may be a genetic involvement; however, the health of the person and how the person lives their life in reference to diet, lifestyle, and environment is equally important.
Neurotoxins
One might ask, “How can diet, lifestyle, and environment affect our nervous system?” The nervous system is comprised of our brain and spinal cord and all the peripheral nerves in our body. When the nervous system is exposed to high levels of neurotoxins, a degenerative process can be stimulated and the nervous system breaks down. There are many potential neurotoxins. Some include: heavy metals, carbon monoxide, nicotine and some pharmaceutical drugs, as well as many foods. Many sweeteners or sugar substitutes are considered neurotoxic. This means that consuming large amounts of these sweeteners can contribute to the breakdown of the nervous system. Aspartame is a well known neurotoxin. Avoiding exposure to these neurotoxins is an important step towards prevention and correction of neurodegenerative disease.
Nutritional Wellness for Health
By making comprehensive changes to your diet and lifestyle, many of these diseases may be prevented. Some of these changes include implementing certain anti-inflammatory elimination diets to support a healthy body. One example of an anti-inflammatory diet would be a gluten elimination diet. Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, barley, rye and oat. Gluten is considered pro-inflammatory. This has been well researched in the field of Functional Medicine. A pro-inflammatory food means that when it is digested, it contributes to further inflammation in the body, specifically in the body’s weakest systems. In this case, the weakest system may be the nervous system. Considering that inflammation is at the heart of most illness today, eliminating pro-inflammatory foods is ideal. There have been many researchers that have documented the negative effects of gluten on the nervous system. More recently, the well known Dr. Oz has stated that everyone should ‘go off of gluten.’ Dr. Christiane Northrup, an internationally recognized OBGYN and acclaimed author on natural health for women, was interviewed by Oprah last year. During her interview, she stated that any women today should be eliminating gluten from their diet because of its pro-inflammatory effects.
In addition to a gluten elimination diet, eliminating all processed or refined sugars is important as well in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disease. Processed sugar is considered a neurotoxin. When the nervous system is exposed to high levels of refined sugars, it promotes a breakdown of the nervous system. The following list includes many common processed sugars that are important to avoid when attempting to prevent and treat neurologic disease: sugar, brown sugar, sucrose, cane sugar/cane syrup, glucose, dextrose, fructose, corn syrup/sugar, sucanat, turbinado, aspartame, NutraSweet, saccharin, equal, Splenda. Some healthier options include the following natural sweeteners: raw honey, pure maple syrup, pure maple sugar, brown rice syrup, blackstrap molasses, stevia, unprocessed fruit juice, raw organic agave, coconut crystals/syrup, date syrup, date sugar, palm sugar. Many of these natural sweeteners are still high on the glycemic index which means that if you have any challenges with blood sugar regulation, they should be limited as well.
Changes in Lifestyle and Environment
Healthy diet is essential for healthy living and prevention of disease and illness. In addition to dietary changes, leading a healthy lifestyle by minimizing exposure to environmental toxins is vital. The following list includes strategies for healthy living:
- Replace synthetic cleaners and detergents in your home with natural versions such as Seventh Generation brand. Even a simple change such as this can lead to significant benefits.
- Replace your soap and shampoo with a natural version such as Tom’s of Maine.
- Make the choice to only buy clothing made mostly with natural fibers such as cotton or wool, rather than polyester or acrylic.
- Buy produce that is organic or natural and free of pesticides and growth hormones. It is true that organic foods are more expensive. Hopefully, one day, this will change. One option is to search for a local ‘CSA’ or community supported agriculture co-op farm that sells memberships. These farms will provide you with great natural produce through the warm months of the year and often they provide a winter share as well. CSA memberships are typically inexpensive options. One example is ‘Holcomb Farm CSA’ in Granby. A great website to search for local CSAs in your area is: www.ctnofa.org/CSAs.htm. Another great option is local farmer markets and farm stands. Farmer markets and farm stands can be a lot of fun and they provide you with the opportunity to buy straight from the farmer. When considering other types of natural foods, there are many ‘regular’ supermarkets that sell natural meats without growth hormones or other synthetic additives.
- Choose foods that are free of high fructose corn syrup and other added sweeteners, chemicals, partially hydrogenated oils commonly referred to as “trans fats”, and genetic modification (GMO). Searching for recipes that can be modified to include natural sweeteners is another helpful strategy. Sugar and other synthetic sweeteners in most recipes can be substituted by natural sweeteners. Some of these sweeteners can be expensive but when buying in bulk, you can find great prices. Maple sugar, as an example, can be ordered in bulk through www.dennisfarmsmaple.com. Searching for these natural ingredients in packaged foods is a great first step. As for GMO foods, there is growing research that is illustrating the negative effects of genetic modification. In fact, GMO foods are outlawed in most European countries. The challenge in this country is that genetic modification is not listed on labels. Some foods that are typically genetically modified in this country include corn and soy. Currently, buying ‘organic’ means non-GMO.
Integrative Manual Therapy for Improved Health—a Structural Approach
In addition to addressing nutritional health, and lifestyle changes, the health of the nervous system can be improved using a ‘structural’ approach… Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT). IMT practitioners identify and address the underlying causes of dysfunction using a comprehensive and holistic approach. While IMT diagnostics and treatment modalities are predominately hands-on, IMT also integrates a wide range of diagnostic and treatment technologies, and nutritional programs (i.e. natural supplements, diet, and herbs) to develop a customized solution for an individual patient’s needs.
IMT treatment techniques are manual (hands-on), and generally involve gentle manipulative techniques to promote tissue repair, normalize structure and restore function. Unique to IMT is the integration of manual therapy techniques for all systems in the body (i.e. bone, nerve, fascia, muscle, organ, lymph and circulatory systems). As each tissue type in the body has unique requirements for healing, tissue specific techniques are used to yield optimal results. Often, multiple systems are addressed to facilitate recovery, as a dysfunction in one system may influence or be influenced by a problem in another system. To illustrate, consider a patient with chronic shoulder pain. Upon being assessed, to determine which structures were contributing to their pain and/or dysfunction, treatment would ensue for the affected systems. As determined by the diagnostic findings, this may include treatment for muscles, fascia, joints, bones, nerves, circulatory vessels, lymphatic structures and/or organs. The order in which the involved systems would be treated would be determined by the diagnostic findings. Ultimately, IMT is the integration of techniques to assess and address all systems in the body.
Integrative Manual Therapy for Neurologic Health
When considering a neurodegenerative disorder such as Multiple Sclerosis, there is an inflammatory process that affects the central nervous system. With such a situation, the immune system is overwhelmed. When implementing IMT on a person with this level of neurologic impairment and immune deficiency, treatment would be focused on improving circulation to and from the nervous system, as well as improving health and integrity of the immune system, including the lymphatic system, the liver, the spleen, and more. An ‘Integrative Diagnostic’ process which involves manual assessment of the body’s systems, including the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, the immune system, and more, helps to identify areas of the body that would benefit from treatment with IMT.
When using a combined approach of nutritional wellness, lifestyle changes, and Integrative Manual Therapy, the body’s self-healing capacities can be restored to an optimal level.
Connell-Giammatteo, PhD, PT, IMT,C is the Practice Manager and Director of Pediatrics for Regional Physical Therapy and The Institute of Integrative Manual Therapy (IIMT), headquartered in Bloomfield, CT. She is also the Dean of the Connecticut School of Integrative Manual Therapy (CSIMT). Dr. Connell-Giammatteo has taught courses in IMT nationally and internationally for over 15 years. She received her doctoral degree focusing in neuropediatrics, with a concentration in autism.