How we breathe is taken for granted and yet it is a powerful resource that can be used to treat serious dis-ease such as asthma and hypertension. Both have evidence-based research to support the contention that changing your breathing style can directly affect health and wellbeing.
Making Sense of my Parkinson’s: The European Centre for Parkinson’s
In this three part blog series, I have detailed my journey with Parkinson’s – both in terms of early diagnosis, and more recent treatment and support. My attempts to come to terms with and understand both the diagnosis and treatment led me to explore multiple avenues towards living well. I needed a multi-disciplinary approach, and … Continue reading Making Sense of my Parkinson’s: The European Centre for Parkinson’s
Making Sense of my Parkinson’s: Treatment and Support
In my previous blog, I wrote about the impact of my Parkinson's diagnosis – and the information which would have been useful to receive at the outset. Making sense of Parkinson’s is a long journey however, and one which extends far past initial diagnosis to treatment and daily life. So what has life been like … Continue reading Making Sense of my Parkinson’s: Treatment and Support
Making Sense of my Parkinson’s: Diagnosis
The first in a three part blog series: The shock of the Parkinson's diagnosis came in August 2017. It was ultimately made by consultant neurologist Mr. William Gibb, privately in Southampton. My symptoms finally made sense to me. Muscle stiffness was preceded by unexplained symptoms of sleep disturbance with vivid dreams (5 years); shoulder stiffness … Continue reading Making Sense of my Parkinson’s: Diagnosis
How can current Parkinson’s Services be improved?
After three years of living with the diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease, I have begun to formulate some thoughts and suggestions for improving current Parkinson’s services. These suggestions are based on my personal experience as both a doctor and patient, and fit into five main categories: presenting symptoms, specialist referral, secondary care consultation, medical research, and … Continue reading How can current Parkinson’s Services be improved?
The importance of stress awareness
As International Stress Awareness Week passes, let’s take the ‘stress definition’ as the launch pad for this blog. We all need stress and challenge, and too little stimulation can be just as stressful as too much. On the whole, the challenges we face in our daily lives keep us active, engaged and alive, in constant … Continue reading The importance of stress awareness
Is the recent NHS homeopathy ban a good idea?
In short, I believe it is not. The NHS needs to understand the value of the placebo response and its effectiveness in relieving symptoms. Having said this, I firmly believe that homeopathy should not be offered as a treatment for established disease or to create an immune response when given instead of vaccination. It does … Continue reading Is the recent NHS homeopathy ban a good idea?
The fragmented jigsaw puzzle of today’s NHS General Practice
Patients very rightly protest when a General Practitioner is not paid for carrying out a postnatal examination on a woman at six weeks, presenting with their new baby. This is simply not in the GPs contract! But why has NHS general practice come to this? I recently read a brief letter to the Guardian, from … Continue reading The fragmented jigsaw puzzle of today’s NHS General Practice
Being Human: PNI and the links between stress and dis-ease
I am currently re-reading a book called When the Body Says No - The Cost of Hidden Stress by Gabor Maté. Descriptions of many medical stories are detailed where serious ill-health is a consequence of sustained stress. Our book Reclaim Health also details symptoms resulting from chronic stress that are often misinterpreted as due to … Continue reading Being Human: PNI and the links between stress and dis-ease
Alternatives to drugs for Chronic Pain?
“Deaths jump five-fold as doctors dole out opioids like Smarties” - Sunday Times, August 28, 2019. This blog takes as its theme chronic pain and the experience of novelist Tim Parks. This is a topic dealt with in both my book Reclaim Health (which includes a chapter on breath and its role in healing), and … Continue reading Alternatives to drugs for Chronic Pain?
Dr David Beales 