The Lightning Process

The Lightning Process is a 3 day training program designed by osteopath Phil Parker, principal of the European College of Holistic Medicine.cite news | last = Felstein | first = Roma | date = January 9, 2007 | title = Could ME be caused by too much adrenaline? | work = The Daily Mail | url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=427537&in_page_id=1774 ] Founded in the late 1990's, The Lightning Process has created interest in the effects it is reported to produce in cases of chronic illness, and especially in regard to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) (more commonly referred to as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)).cite news | date = April 14, 2008 | title = Young ME sufferer Anna thanks her 'cool' headteacher | work = Mid Sussex Times | url = http://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/509/Young-ME-sufferer-Anna-thanks.3978784.jp] The system combines osteopathy, hypnotherapy, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and life coaching,cite news | last = Cormier | first = Zoe | date = March 8, 2008 | title = 'Talk Therapy' Takes On Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Coming Soon To Canada | work = The Globe and Mail ] but rather than focusing on modifying behavioural patterns, the technique is used to treat physical illnesses.
In many newspaper articles the physiology behind the process is reported in an extremely simplifed form, suggesting the process is claimed to work by breaking the "adrenaline loop" - or arguing that proponents of The Lightning Process view ME/CFS as "an illness that affects the body's capacity to deal with adrenaline",cite news | last = Rantzen | first = Esther | authorlink = Esther Rantzen | date = February 6, 2007 | title = Saved from a living death | work = The Daily Mail ] and that the cure is to modify the brain's thought patterns to generate endorphins instead of stress-related hormones. These widely publicised simplifications ignore the more complex, but more scientifically relevant theories put forward by Parker, who states,
"The Lightning Process considers that in M.E, there is a dysregulation of the Central Nervous System and Sympathetic nervous system (as suggested by both Dr. Perrin’s and Dr. Bruun Wyller’s research), which is primarily caused by the physical effects of having the illness- and as Ramsay, Bruun Wyller and others have already documented can start from a multitude of different causal factors."

Dr. Bruun Wyller, one of Norway's leading experts on M.E, says: '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.'

While the treatment has had a number of high profile successes, (including the daughter of Esther Rantzen, and wife of rugby union player, Austin Healey), there has been criticism of The Lightning Process. Some have commented on the high cost of the three-day course,cite news | last = Kinnes | first = Sally | date = September 2, 2007 | title = Coping with ME | work = The Sunday Times] while others have pointed to the inconsistency of the results, with some patients reporting "less than positive" outcomes, or suffering from relapses after the conclusion of the treatment.cite news | last = Cormier | first = Zoe | date = April 18, 2008 | title = Lightning Process - Controversial training program comes to Canada | work = CBC News | url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/health/lightning-process.html ] Both the treatment and the theory that ME is connected to adrenaline are unproven. A pilot open study, non-blinded and with no placebo or control group, by neurologist Leslie Findley into the effectiveness of The Lightning Process is underway..

ee also

*Biofeedback
*Transcendental meditation

References

7. < Positive Health Magazine, article: The Lightning Process & ME http://www.positivehealth.com/article-view.php?articleid=2470

External links

* [http://www.lightningprocess.com/ The Phil Parker Lightning Process]

* [http:www.donnaparis.com/ Donna Paris - helping you recover from M.E.