Healing Highly Sensitive Body in Chicagoland

A Holistic Aspect of Autism Spectrum Disorder

When a child is born, the overall infrastructure of the brain is done, but the detailed wiring and insulation of the nervous system has not been fully developed. It may take as long as ten years to complete the detailed connection between neurons. During this period of time, any factors that suppress neurological development will cause the child to miss the window of development and lead to neurological damage, such as developmental delay and autism.

The Physiological Base of Autism

Neurotoxin and the associated inflammation and hypoperfusion (lack of circulation) caused by autoimmune response are the major factors suppressing or slowing down neurological development. Heavy metal especially mercury has been suggested to have affinity to nervous system and bind receptors of neuron. Mercury may be used in some vaccines with old preparation method. After vaccinations are done, immune system is under high stress to make antibodies. If a child has already suffered from allergies and compromised immune system, vaccination may not successfully stimulate the right antibody but produce more problems in the immune function. In the meantime, neurotoxin leads to immune response to nerve tissue and suppress neurological development.

Autoimmune response is the key factor causing neuro-inflammation and hypoperfusion of the brain. Most of the autistic children have sensitive immune system, which is a malfunction of the immune system that prefers the TH2 response and over-produces antibodies. Large amount of antibody cross-responds to internal organ and in turn causes inflammation. Please read the Allergy and Sensitivity for details.

Any factors increase toxin and immune response in the body make autistic symptoms worse. Those factors include food intolerance, environmental allergies, emotional blockages, structural imbalance and vaccination etc. By treating these factors as well as detoxifying the body we are able to lift the suppression of neurological development and let the child to catch up the development and repair the damage. The therapy has to be done as early as we can (at 3 year-old is better than at 12 year-old) to leave enough time in the developmental window for the repair in the future.

Digestive problem plays an important role in autistic conditions because digestive system believes to be the biggest toxin source in the body. When toxins such as mercury passes through intestines it binds lymphatic cells and causes damages and results in the overgrowth of pathogens such as Candida. Pathogen overgrowth further damages the intestinal lining and result in “leaky gut”, through which intestinal toxins and partially digested food particles leak back into the body causing toxin accumulation and food allergies. It is suggested that leaky gut is the major cause of the toxins in the body as well as the cause for food allergies and intolerance. By solving digestive problems for autistic children, we are able to control clinical symptoms much faster and reduce the inflammatory pressure to the nerve system as well.

Therapies for Autism

Neurotoxin, autoimmune response and digestive problem are the three major directions for any autism therapies. Biomedical approach focuses on detoxification and solving digestive issues. Our holistic therapy for autism, IBMT, is a comprehensive program complementary to the biomedical approach. IBMT for autism has the following characteristics:

• Balance the body with homeopathy and meridian testing to improve body’s function to detox and regenerate. The energetic nature of the program makes it different from other biomedical based therapies
• Address autoimmune response and allergies with the Immune System Reprogramming. This technique is designed to efficiently resolve the initial chaotic stage of the immune system
• Help emotional blockages of autistic children. Emotions can be a major factor to contribute to everyday behavior changes of autistic children. Addressing emotional issues help the parents manage their autistic child much easier
• Provide time frame for the therapies. The three stage of healing is unique feature for this program
• Provide specific treatment plan for each child by using electrodermal testing. No one takes the same remedies
• Other characteristics include non-invasive and no pain testing, home tapping procedure that most children love, liquid homeopathic remedies that easy to take

This program includes two arms. In one arm meridian balancing approach provides energy balance to the body, helps detoxification and digestive system, manages emotion and provides support and regeneration to the system. In the second arm, Immune System Reprogramming helps the immune system recover from the chaotic stage of malfunction. In the later stage of the program, to further help autistic conditions by improving nerve regeneration and brain development, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and other complementary therapies may be used. HBOT is an optional therapy and has been used by many clinics to treat autistic children. Further information can be found in HBOT.

Other Important Factors

Neurotoxin and neuroinflammation are always the main focus for autism. However, if the body’s detox function is impaired, neurotoxin and inflammation condition won’t get better easily unless the whole body detox issues are addressed. Here is several related conditions worth to be discussed in details:

Food Allergy and Other Sensitivities

Many autistic children show hypersensitivities. Some parents clearly notice that the child is sensitive to food and environmental factors and the sensitivity makes their autistic behavior worse. But other parents do not recognize this sensitivity issue so obviously. The reason is that the immune responses caused by allergy and sensitivities show different directions depending upon the area it attaches. If it attaches digestive, respiratory or nervous system, related symptoms follow. But if the immune response is toward detox function, energy metabolism and hormonal system or other areas that no specific symptoms are correlated, it results in overall reduction of energy production, accumulation of toxins or malfunction of the body communications. Therefore, no matter sensitivity symptoms show up or not, immune response and sensitivities always play a major role in autism. Without addressing sensitivities and autoimmune response, the body never reaches optimal detox function and never gets out of the chaotic stage completely. Thus, Immune System Reprogramming is not just for allergies. It helps the immune system regain its function and gives the body a fresh start to heal the damages. Please read Immune System Reprogramming for details.

Candida and Parasites

Most of the autistic children have digestive problems more or less. Weak digestive system is a result of toxic damage and pathogen overgrowth. Because of the malfunction of the immune system and frequent usage of antibiotics, Candida yeast overgrowth becomes a common problem. Symptoms include bloating, constipation or diarrhea, sugar craving, mental fog, high inflammation, sleeping problems, increased mucus production and sinus congestion etc. Candida hides inside the intestinal lining and causes damage to the mucus membrane system. This condition is called leaky gut, which believes to be the cause of many digestive problems. Parasites are also common in autistic children although it may not be easy to be detected through stool analysis. The common sign of parasites is that the child is a pick eater and tries to eat many odd things other than food. The body weight of those children is lower than normal kids because of malnutrition. They may or may not show constipation or diarrhea. Parasites and Candida often come together. But the treatment has to be carefully monitored and timing is also critical. At most of time we do not treat them together. Pathogens release extra toxins when dying out. Strong treatment plan may results in toxin overloading in the body and the child’s behavior going backwards. We usually treat Candida and parasites when whole body detox function has recovered somehow.

Leaky Gut Syndrome

Leaky gut describes a condition that there are damages on intestinal lining and the damages cause mal-absorption of nutrition and leakage of toxins to the body. Toxin damage and pathogen overgrowth are the major cause for leaky gut. The weak healing ability and low tissue regeneration also play a role here. Leaky gut can be a main cause of body’s toxin accumulation and high inflammation condition. Meanwhile, partially digested food leaks to the body and causes food intolerance and food allergies. Malabsorption of nutrients such as amino acids leads to deficiency of neurotransmitters and causes anxiety and depression. Therefore leaky gut is the center piece of the whole body puzzle to health. To treat leaky gut, not only pathogen has to be addressed, whole body healing ability, adrenal function, and tissue regeneration should also be addressed as well. Please read Leaky Gut Syndrome for details.

CF/GF diet

Casein is a protein in dairy product, while gluten is from wheat. Some people have trouble to digest them well. Partially digested casein and gluten peptides may leak into blood and behave like morphine chemicals and react to the receptors of brain tissue. The common reaction for casein and gluten is spacy, mental fog, focus and behavior issues. For autistic children, casein and gluten may cause inflammation and damage to the brain.


Autism is a multifactor disease. Casein/gluten factor may not be the only factor causing the problem. But most of the autistic children do have casein/gluten issue. Thus even you tried casein free gluten free diet and do not see good result, it’s still worth to continue the diet and adds on other therapies. Without CF/GF diet, some autistic children may not respond to other therapy very well. It believes that once leaky gut and food intolerance is fixed, CF/GF diet can be phased out gradually in the future. Children don’t need CF/GF forever. After their nervous system has developed and insulated, casein and gluten effect may not be as damaging as when they are young.

Sleep

Sleeping issue should be addressed as early as possible. Without efficient sleep the body would never detox and never recover its healing ability. Many autistic children have sleeping issues. Sometimes the parents do not realize the importance of the problem. Children under 10 years old require 10 hours of sleep or more. If a child only sleeps 7-8 hours, after a few years, the body will start to show sign of toxin and adrenal problems. To treat sleeping problem, digestion, adrenal or liver have to be addressed. Meanwhile, life style changes are necessary. Parents have to pay more attention to the child’s sleeping needs and schedule it accordingly.

Hyperactivity, Behavior and Emotions

Hyperactivity is often triggered by sugar intake but not limited to it. Some food additives such as colorings also lead to hyperactivity. Casein and gluten may cause behavior issues as well. Diet control is the number one tool to help hyperactivity and behavior related problems. Taking digestive enzymes and treating digestive system also help. The connection between digestion and behavior is not limited to food allergy, but the leaky gut and associated the neurotransmitter imbalance. Some neurotransmitter pathways such as serotonin pathway start from digestive system. Without a good digestion, neurotransmitter will never balance completely.

Emotional stress is another trigger for behavior issues. Most autistic children do not express them well. For them speaking is the most difficult tusk they have to face. Their emotional needs can not be easily met and are often ignored (unintentionally) by their parents. This results in emotional blockages in autistic children. Once emotion blocks meridians in the body, next time when they experience the same emotion, they are going to explode. Addressing emotional blockages using Energetic Emotional Therapy is an efficient way to help behavior issues. Giving flower essences or performing EFT to autistic children will make their parents’ life easier.

Dr. Harry Hong's comprehensive program specializes in the integration of a variety of natural healing therapies such as energy testing, allergy desensitization, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, enzyme therapy, flower essences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and much more. The Healing Light Co is committed to provide quality special care to the Highly Sensitive Person with Highly Sensitive Body. We are located at northwest suburb of Chicago area and have a Out-of-Town program as well. For more information, please visit www.highlysensitivebody.com.

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Allergies, Sensitivities and Associated Asthma, Sinusitis and Ear Infections

Everyone knows someone who has allergies and sensitivities. Statistics shows that almost a quarter of our population in the United States has allergies. It looks like that there are more and more people suffering from this condition. Claritin used to be the number one prescription drug before it became available over the counter. Claritin is an antihistamine agent that blocks IgE allergy response and successfully reduces the symptoms of sneezing, itchy eyes, running nose etc. But what causes allergies? There is no clear answer to the question and certainly Claritin does not treat allergy but reducing its symptoms.

What causes allergies?

It suggests that two major factors cause allergies:

• Toxins: in the past fifty years, more toxins have shown up either from petroleum or synthetic products. In the meantime, allergy cases have been on the rise. Toxins may be the trigger for the hyperactivity of the immune system
• Stressed adrenal function: stress is another big factor in our modern lifestyle. It directly damages the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal system and causes the out-of-control of cortisol level. Associated symptoms are sleeping issues, fatigue, low focus, and blood sugar problems. The stressed adrenal function leads to immune sensitivities

In addition to toxin and stress, other factors may also need to be considered:

• Toxic colon and Candida: we are exposing more and more processed food with additives, antibiotics and other toxic materials. The lining of intestine is damaged by the toxins and pathogens like Candida fungus can easily grow there. The toxic colon is the major internal source of toxins
• Leaky Gut: it may be the direct reason for someone to develop food allergies. Toxins and pathogens damage the lining of intestines and cause the intestine leaky. Partially digested food molecules leak into the blood and trigger immune response. Toxins also leak back to the body and ware out our detox system
• Inherited allergy information: allergy information can be inherited from parents. If both parents have allergies, 60% of their children will have allergies

Another important factor for the increase of the allergy cases is vaccination. It is directly related to its promotion of the TH2 response in the body. Normally once the antigen reaches the body. T -cell is being activated and becomes T Helper cell, which has two different signal pathways. One is called T Helper 1 Response (TH1), which is an intracellular response and is good to clean up the pathogen infected cells with natural killer cells, macrophages and cytotoxic T-cells. The other one is called T helper 2 Response (TH2), which is an extracellular response and produces large amount of antibodies such as IgE. These two pathways complement each other. TH1 response to fast and is very efficient to clean up the virus and bacteria infections, while the TH2 response is powerful to destroy parasites and toxins that flowing around the lymphatic system.

The problem we are facing for those who have allergies is that there is large amount of antibodies in their system. It seems that the body prefers TH2 antibody response over TH1 and over-produces antibodies that cross-respond to many substances and even own tissues and cause allergies and autoimmune conditions. In the meantime the TH1 response is weak and under-developed. The body has difficulties to fight for virus and bacteria and the infection can last for a long time. But why the body prefers TH2 over TH1 response?

Vaccination may be the answer. Our immune system is designed with a learning ability, adaptive function. After we are born, the immune system is not fully developed. It needs to engage environmental pathogens and toxins and learn its ability to fight efficiently. Because the pathogens and their toxins are changing frequently, an inherited fixed immune system does not fully protect our body. The learning ability is a big excess to our immune system and the first few years of our life is very important to the learning process, through which the immune system knows the enemies it supposes to fight. However, according to our vaccine schedule, a child receives more than twenty vaccines during the first year of life. Vaccine is designed to trigger antibody production, which may promote TH2 response. It by-passes the normal pathways the pathogens contact the body and may not signal TH1 response. After a few years of the extensive exercise for TH2 response, the body highly prefers to make antibodies when contacting with pathogens, which leads to more allergy and sensitivities and inability to fight for virus and bacteria.

How can I get allergies?

It believes that you can develop allergy to anything on earth if you have a sensitive immune system while you are exposed to a substance for a long period of time. How long is long enough to cause allergy really depends on each individual person. For example, having had apple for ten years may not be enough to develop allergy to apple, but one incident such as having a cold/flu or having an argument with someone while eating a pear may be enough to cause sensitivity to the pear. Thus allergy development is a complicated process that we don’t know much detail about it. Rotation diet is a good way to prevent food allergies. When you are having a cold, try not to take any unrelated supplements. Avoid to expose to the same thing everyday is the key to prevent allergy from happening.

How can I control allergies and change my immune system back to normal?

Where is the allergy information stored? The information is probable stored in the local lymphatic cells and may not be in the DNA form because it can be acquired later in life. Based on the theory of energy medicine, allergy information may be stored in an energy form and can be controlled or erased through energetic techniques. NAET is the original allergy desensitization technique, which is a meridian stimulation therapy while the patient is holding allergen information. There are many variations of this technique. Please read the Immune System Reprogramming for details.

What about asthma, sinusitis and frequent ear infection?

Allergy is one of the major causes for these conditions. The normal pattern for sinus and ear infection is that they always start with the nose and sinus blockage. The drainage duct is blocked by swollen tissue, which results in fluid retention inside the cavity. If the symptoms are not better in a period of time, bacteria may grow and infection follows. The initial inflammation that causes swollen tissue is often caused by allergies, food indigestion and/or virus infections. The use of antibiotics only helps the second part of the problem but has no effect for allergies. Antibiotics are known to disturb the balance of intestinal flora and lead to more toxins in the body. Thus frequent use of antibiotics develops a vicious circle for chronic sinus and ear infection.

Chronic sinus and ear problems can also be a result of misalignment of the cervical vertebrates. Inflammation around cervical spine blocks the lymphatic drainage and triggers sinus and ear blockages.

Almost every person who has asthma, frequent sinus and ear infections, frequent colds/flu shows some intestinal issues. Clinically toxic colon is one of the major causes for these conditions. Toxic colon causes not only high inflammation, leaky gut and allergies, but also weak lymphatic and immune system. Therefore solving the root issue for above conditions has to rely on intestinal therapies. With our IBMT, after stabilizing immune function and controlling inflammation, a long-term Candida/leaky gut therapy is necessary to clean the colon and restore immune function. Meanwhile, a healthy diet is a must. A diet with low sugar, dairy and white flour helped lots of people with chronic sinus issues.

Dr. Harry Hong's comprehensive program specializes in the integration of a variety of natural healing therapies such as energy testing, allergy desensitization, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, enzyme therapy, flower essences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and much more. The Healing Light Co is committed to provide quality special care to the Highly Sensitive Person with Highly Sensitive Body. We are located at northwest suburb of Chicago area and have a Out-of-Town program as well. For more information, please visit www.highlysensitivebody.com.

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A Holistic Approach to Depression, Anxiety, AD(H)D and Neurotransmitter Related Disorders

Neurotransmitters are messenger chemicals in the brain. Many conditions such as anxiety and depression are directly related to the imbalance of neurotransmitters. Common neurotransmitters include acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin etc. Neurotransmitter imbalances are commonly treated with a type of medication called SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor). SSRIs can be effective for a period of time. But the effect could be temporary. Many patients had to change medications or continue to increase the dosage of the same medication, in order to achieve the same results over time.

What Causes Neurotransmitter Imbalance?

From a holistic point of view, to balance neurotransmitters we should look at the problem beyond neurotransmitters in the brain. It is suggested that serotonin is made from tryptophan and the process may start from digestive system. Protein digestion, tryptophan absorption, availability of the enzymes and cofactors synthesizing serotonin all play roles in serotonin metabolism. Blockages related to any of the above factors may cause deficiency of the end product--serotonin.

Based on some clinical observation, overall serotonin deficiency in the body may be the reason causing anxiety and depression. Simply changing population of serotonin in the brain with SSRI may not solve the real problem. There are a few laboratory tests available to check urine neurotransmitter levels. These tests provide important information on changes in serotonin levels.

Besides, neurotoxins such as heavy metals and toxins from pathogens may bind and damage the serotonin receptors and cause neuro-psychological problems.

Another possibility is that the blockage of serotonin metabolism and receptor malfunction could be a result of autoimmune response as well. There are more and more reports showing that autoimmune response in the nervous system is one of the major causes for neurological and psychological problems. Further study on this area may open a door to develop autoimmune related therapies for anxiety and depression.

A Holistic Approach to Neurotoxin

It believes that toxin accumulation in the body is one of the main reasons causing autoimmune response. The toxins include endogenous metabolic toxins, environmental toxins and toxins from pathogens. Our immune system is sensitive to the presence of toxins and will do everything to eliminate them. If the toxins are hidden inside tissue and cells for a long time, autoimmune response is developed to the tissue and cells hosting the toxins. This could be the root problem for many toxin-immune related diseases. Therefore, helping the body’s detoxification and calming the immune system down become the major goal of the therapy. However there are not many conventional therapies available for this condition. In this field, energetic medicine opens a door to treat these conditions and is worth to explore further.

Based on energy medicine, the body has self-healing and detoxing abilities. Because of the blockages of the energy pathways and malfunction of the associated organs, the body’s self-healing ability is compromised. On the other hand, unblocking those pathways will strengthen this self-healing ability. Detoxification process requires that the energy pathways and related organ systems perform at optimal condition. From this point of view, traditional Chinese meridian balancing therapy definitely helps the body’s detox function. Meanwhile homeopathy plays a major complementary role in energetic detox therapy. Modern homeopathic formula not only provides specific nosode detox but also address drainage system and organ function. Chinese meridian therapy and homeopathy combined to form a perfect energetic program to help the body detox and heal.

A Holistic Approach to Autoimmune Response

Autoimmune response is another important factor causing neurotransmitter imbalance. The term autoimmune response means the body’s immune system attacks its own brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) or other nutrients associated with the production of the neutrotransmitters, such as amino acids, receptors on the intestinal lining that can break down protein and absorb amino acids, etc. Solving the autoimmune response to neurotransmitter and its production pathway helps to balance the neurotransmitter level for those patients with a chaotic immune system. Immune System Reprogramming technique is a good way to address this issue and help other therapies to address other problems further down in the road.

Neurotransmitter Deficiency and Digestive Health

In addition to neurotoxin and autoimmune response, overall serotonin deficiency is another major factor affecting neuropsychological function. It leads to another focus in holistic medicine, digestive health. Many diseases start with problems in digestive system. Because of modern life styles such as busy schedule, emotional stress and environmental toxins, digestive function is often compromised. High stress and toxins cause reduction of digestive enzymes and weak immune function in digestive system. Over growth of Candida yeast and bad bacteria in digestive tract leads to further damage to the lymphatic tissue and receptors on the intestinal lining. All of the above cause food indigestion, malabsorption of nutrients such as vitamins and amino acids, and blockages of neurotransmitter production. Solving digestive issues becomes number one goal for neurotransmitter related conditions.

Amino Acid Therapy

There are quite a few amino acid formulas available to treat neurotransmitter related conditions. The common formulas include 5-HTP, Tyrosine and Taurine etc. These formulas somehow increase neurotransmitter production and change their balance in the brain. The common problem in taking those formulas is digestive symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea and vomit etc. Some patients go through a tough time in the beginning and get better in a few weeks. Some others give up the therapy. But if the digestive system cannot break down and absorb amino acids in the first place, amino acid supplemented by this method may not be effective enough to treat the issues. Our therapies are aimed at solving the root cause of the problems—to improve the digestive system so it can produce and absorb amino acids and thus nourishing the brain and neurological system.

Focusing on the cause of the neurotransmitter imbalance is the first priority of our program. In the beginning of the therapy, balancing, detoxification and Immune System Reprogramming are used to open metabolic pathways for nutrients. After the body gets out of the initial chaotic stage and energetic and metabolic pathways are running normally, most of the clinical symptoms related to neurotransmitter imbalance might have been resolved already. For those patients who need a final push for neurotransmitter production and those who might have receptor damage and need a higher level neurotransmitter to maintain normal activities, a small dose of amino acid formula may be used. The common amino acid formula contain 5-HTP, Tyrosine, Taurine, Phenylalanine, Cysteine, etc. as well as cofactors such as vitamins and minerals.

Hormone Correlation to Depression and Anxiety

Most of the female patients who suffer from anxiety and depression often complain that the symptoms get much worse before their monthly menstruation or during their menopause. Female hormone imbalance causes high inflammation in the body, which may make other symptoms worse. Balancing female hormones plays major role in the symptom control for female patients. Once their hormones are balanced, anxiety and depression may not be their major concern any more.

Thyroid hormone imbalance also causes anxiety and depression. Evaluating thyroid function is an important step to identify the cause of the symptoms. Supporting thyroid function makes a big difference for those thyroid originated depression cases. Low thyroid function can be a result of high adrenal stress or autoimmune response. Addressing root issues for the low thyroid function works much better for the patient than just supplementing with thyroid hormones.

Imbalance of Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) system is another cause for anxiety and depression. Epinephrine and norepinephrine are adrenal hormones and participate in signal transmitting among neurons. HPA function also plays roles in the production of other neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine etc. This is the major reason why stresses may induce depression and anxiety and make the symptoms much worse. Successfully addressing HPA function helps to control depression and anxiety much easier.

Emotion Correlation to Depression and Anxiety

Emotion can be a trigger to depression and anxiety attack. Emotional effect on depression and anxiety comes from either stressing HPA system or blocking meridians. Emotional stress can be a major stress for the HPA system. Helping emotions through energetic emotional therapy reduces the stress and tendency to have depression and anxiety.

Based on energy psychology, emotions can block meridians and cause physiological problems. On the other hand, specific meridian imbalance also leads to emotional blockages. Emotional blockage in meridian is the energetic base for anxiety and depression, while neurotransmitter deficiency and receptor damage describe biochemical bases for this disease. Solving emotional issue helps to reduce the severity and frequency of anxiety and depression.

Dr. Harry Hong's comprehensive program specializes in the integration of a variety of natural healing therapies such as energy testing, allergy desensitization, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, enzyme therapy, flower essences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and much more. The Healing Light Co is committed to provide quality special care to the Highly Sensitive Person with Highly Sensitive Body. We are located at northwest suburb of Chicago area and have a Out-of-Town program as well. For more information, please visit www.highlysensitivebody.com.

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