A Beacon in the Swamp

 

Tens of millions of people are second class citizens in our healthcare system. Their pain or illness is not receiving the quality of care it deserves only because it is not caused by disease or injury. Instead, the symptoms are generated by the brain because of past or present stress. Unfortunately, when no structural cause is present, most doctors lack formal training in how to take the next step and diagnose the stresses that are responsible.

The result is that patients are left to find answers on their own. That is when they are confronted with dozens and dozens of treatments that do not address the real cause of their symptoms. Although some of these treatments might have value for other conditions, there is no scientific evidence of their benefit for psychophysiologic disorders (PPD). 

This enormous number of unvalidated treatments that are marketed to profit from patients with PPD resembles a swamp. They only prolong patients’ suffering and despair and add to their self-image as deficient in coping skills.

Forms of treatment that are not scientifically validated to benefit PPD fall into several categories. First, there are alternative theories of illness, some of which are:

Alternative Medicine

  1. Ayurveda

  2. Chiropractic medicine

  3. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

  4. Homeopathy

  5. Naturopathy

  6. Energy Medicine

  7. Functional Medicine

  8. Heavy Metal Toxicity

  9. Chronic Lyme

  10. Systemic Candidiasis

  11. Symptoms blamed on Ehlers-Danlos

  12. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

  13. Electro-Magnetic Sensitivity

Next are alternative treatments. Here are some examples:

  1. Acupuncture

  2. Herbal Medicine

  3. Meditation

  4. Yoga

  5. Ayurvedic Herbs

  6. Homeopathic Remedies

  7. Chiropractic Care

  8. Aromatherapy

  9. Biofeedback

  10. Cupping Therapy

  11. Crystal Therapy

 
 

Then there are numerous implanted and external devices.

1.    Decompression belts

2.    Deep tissue massagers

3.    Ligament stretchers

4.    Electrical nerve stimulators

5.    Magnetic stimulators 

There are also many supplements.

1.    Probiotics (a misleading term that is not permitted in Europe)

2.    Combinations of anti-inflammatory medication and herbs

3.    Herbs in numerous combinations

 
 

 

Tens of millions of people suffer needlessly for years as they search through the advertising avalanche behind these unvalidated treatments.  

Pain Relief Psychology is the only treatment with gold standard science from randomized trials published in top medical journals like the American Medical Association Psychiatry journal. Pain Relief Psychology is a beacon amid this swamp of well-funded but unhelpful options.

Please help us reach more patients who can benefit from scientifically validated information by becoming a Member of the PPD Relief Alliance. Help our beacon shine more brightly!



 
David Clarke

President of the PPD Association since March, 2011.

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Harmful Myths about Psychophysiologic Disorders (formerly known as Psychosomatic Symptoms)