The Lightning Process
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The Lightning Process (LP) is 3 day training programme designed by British osteopath Phil Parker. Developed in the late 1990s, the Process claims to be effective in the treatment of auto-immune conditions, neurobehavioural disorders and neurological conditions including ME/CFS as well as supporting other conditions such as multiple sclerosis. [1]
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[edit] Background
The system is derived from osteopathy, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and life coaching.[2] Parker suggests certain illnesses such as ME/CFS arise from a dysregulation of the Central Nervous System and Autonomic Nervous System, which the Lightning Process aims to address,[3] helping to break the "adrenaline loop" that keep the systems' stress responses high. [4][5] Rebalancing is found by modifying the brain's thought patterns to reduce stress-related hormones.[4] [3] Phil Parker underlines in his literature that ME/CFS is a physical illness not a psychological one. He claims the Process has an 81% success rate.[6]
While not specifically looking at the Lightning Process, Bruun Wyller's states that his research partly supports its underlying theory. He argues that "recent research on CFS pathophysiology has revealed alterations of cardiovascular regulation and thermoregulation, characterized by enhanced sympathetic nervous activity and increased secretion of epinephrine. These findings indicate a state of permanent distress response – sustained arousal – in CFS patients. Based upon our findings, we have formulated a theory of sustained arousal in CFS, which seems to correspond quite neatly to the theoretical considerations underlying the Lightning Process."[3]
There has been criticism of the cost of the three-day course,[7] while others have pointed to the inconsistency of the results, with some clients reporting "less than positive" outcomes,[4] or suffering from relapses after the conclusion of the training.[8] However, there is evidence that the Lightning Process could help improve symptoms of ME/CFS, as publicised in a survey by the Sussex & Kent ME/CFS Society in which 44% of those surveyed who had used the Lightning Process described it as "very helpful".[9]
Neither the treatment nor the theory that ME/CFS is connected to adrenaline have been subject to clinical trials,[4] although independent studies into the effectiveness of The Lightning Process are under way in the UK and Scandinavia,[citation needed] including an NHS feasibility study.[10] The UK NHS SMILE pilot study has received some criticism for recruiting children when adult subjects are available.[11][12][13] This study has been approved by the National Research Ethics Service (NRES).[14]
While it is made clear that the Lightning Process does not guarantee positive results, and patients themselves should accept full responsibility for whether they improve or not[15][16], in promotional literature [17] it is claimed that people using the Lighting Process have recovered from, or experienced significant improvement with the following issues and conditions:
- ME, chronic fatigue syndrome, PVFS, adrenal fatigue
- acute and chronic pain, back pain, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, injury
- PMT, perimenopausal symptoms and menopause
- clinical depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and panic attacks, OCD and PTSD
- low self-esteem, confidence issues
- hay fever, asthma and allergies
- candida, interstitial cystitis, urinary infections, bladder and bowel problems
- IBS, coeliac disease, crohns disease, food intolerances
- blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, type 2 diabetes, restless leg syndrome
- hyper and hypo thyroidism
- insomnia and sleep disorders,
- autistic spectrum disorder, dyspraxia, ADHD
- lyme disease, glandular fever, epstein barr
- weight and food issues, anorexia
- multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, parkinsonian tremor, motor neurone disease
Currently there is no evidence from medical trials of a positive effect for any of these conditions.[18]
High profile advocates include Esther Rantzen,[5] whose daughter had Coeliac disease and ME/CFS,[19] British journalist Patrick Strudwick[20] and French dancer Chris Marques.[21] [22] [23]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Lightning Process, MS.
- ^ Cormier, Zoe (2008-03-08). "'Talk Therapy' Takes On Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Coming Soon To Canada". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/science/medicine-talk-therapy-takes-on-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-coming-soon-to-canada/article26391/. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
- ^ a b c Rimmer, Vikki (2008-08). "The Lightning Process Treatment for ME". Positive Health Magazine (150). http://www.positivehealth.com/article/cfs-me/the-lightning-process-treatment-for-me. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
- ^ a b c d Felstein, Roma (2007-01-09). "Could ME be caused by too much adrenaline?". The Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=427537&in_page_id=1774.
- ^ a b Rantzen, Esther (2007-02-06). "Saved from a living death". The Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-434248/Saved-living-death.html.
- ^ Phil Parker, ME
- ^ Kinnes, Sally (2007-09-02). "Coping with ME". The Sunday Times.
- ^ Cormier, Zoe (2008-04-18). "Lightning Process - Controversial training program comes to Canada". CBC News. http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/health/lightning-process.html.
- ^ "Pacing Helps ME 2010". Sussex & Kent ME/CFS Society. http://www.measussex.org.uk/Latest-News-About-ME-and-CFS-%7C-M.E-C.F.S-News/pacing-helps-me.html. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
- ^ "SMILE – Specialist Medical Intervention and Lightning Evaluation". Centre for Child and Adolescent Health. University of Bristol. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/ccah/research/childrencomplexhealthneeds/chronic-fatigue/smile.html. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
- ^ "Study involving children and the Lightning Process is unethical, says joint charity statement". 2010-08-05. http://www.meassociation.org.uk/?page_id=1341. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
- ^ "SMILE Study". 2010-10. http://www.investinme.org/Article-501%20Childrens%20Study.htm. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
- ^ "Church Times: Dr Esther Crawley responds to Prof Robin Gill (SMILE Lightning Process pilot study)". 2010-11-30. http://meagenda.wordpress.com/2010/11/30/church-times-dr-esther-crawley-responds-to-prof-robin-gill-smile-lightning-process-pilot-study/. Retrieved 2011-05-25.
- ^ Britton, Tony (2011-01-06). "Ethics committee finally approves controversial 'SMILE' pilot study into Lightning Process and children with ME/CFS". ME Association. http://www.meassociation.org.uk/?p=3719. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
- ^ < Ian Cleary, Lightning Process details
- ^ The Rowan Centre
- ^ Simpson and Fawdry
- ^ "ASA Adjudication on Withinspiration". Advertising Standards Authority. http://www.asa.org.uk/Asa-Action/Adjudications/2010/6/Withinspiration/TF_ADJ_48612.aspx. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
- ^ Rantzen, Esther (2011-02-15). "At last, I have discovered the secret of Emily's 14 lost years, by Esther Rantzen". Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1356316/At-I-discovered-secret-Emilys-14-lost-years-Esther-Rantzen.html. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
- ^ Strudwick, Patrick (2011-02-22). "Lightning cure ... or a flash in the pan?". The Times: pp. 7–8.
- ^ [http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/75677/I-couldn-t-let-ME-waltz-off-with-my-life "I couldn't let me waltz off with my life" Daily Express 14 December,2008
- ^ "Young ME sufferer Anna thanks her 'cool' headteacher". Mid Sussex Times. 2008-04-14. http://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/509/Young-ME-sufferer-Anna-thanks.3978784.jp.
- ^ Hardy, Rebecca (2008-12-13). "Austin Healey: I'd been through hell before Strictly". Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1093798/Austin-Healey-Id-hell-Strictly.html. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
