Mark D. Gold (List Facilitator)

Presentation + Questions & Answers
For CFS-FMS-Holistic Discussion Group
http://www.HolisticMed.Com/cfs/


To: cfs-fms-holistic@mLists.net
From: Mark Gold
Subject: CFS/FMS Bio

Hi!

Here is my bio for the warmup Visiting Expert presentation. :-) - Mark

Mark's Bio

I got involved in looking at Holistic Medicine techniques in about 1974 or 1975 (when I was ~14 years old). I was looking for healing techniques that would help treat my severe immune system problems - severe allergies to everything (what would be termed MCS now), asthma (mostly exercised induced at that time), intermittent weakness (that eventually developed into chronic fatigue), depression, and a variety of other health problems. Years of prescription and OTC drugs didn't help me at all.

There were many years of searching, hitchhiking around to Centers, failures, some successes, frustration, fun, pain, etc. Back in the 1970's and early 1980's Holistic Medicine treatments were not easily available and the some of the more powerful technniques available today were not even known about in North America at that time. Anyway, I learned quite a bit about Holistic Medicine in the last 25 or so years that has helped me reverse the chronic fatigue.

I sometimes work with people to help them put together Holistic Healing programs and do have some skills in the healing field. But I'm not a "licensed guru", just an "average Joe". :-) My main focus and love right now is to provide resources related to Holistic Medicine. I also do some part-time consulting in the computer field to supplement my income. Starting in the middle of next year, I hope to spend more time working with individuals using varous hands-on and transformational healing techniques.

Best Wishes,

Mark Gold
Holistic Medicine Resource Center
mgold@HolisticMed.Com
http://www.HolisticMed.Com/


To: cfs-fms-holistic@mLists.net
From: mgold@tiac.net
Subject: CFS/FMS List Presentation

Welcome everybody!

As the facilitator of CFS-FMS-Holistic, I am assigning myself the role of Visiting Expert with some expertise as a facilitator and a bit of expertise with Holistic Medicine. In this way, I can present information about the format of the list and about Holistic Medicine in general. Formal Visiting Expert presentations will begin in approximately two weeks. Please feel free to ask any questions after this presentation.


Table of Contents

1. What is CFS-FMS-Holistic
2. What is Holistic Medicine
3. Getting the Most From CFS-FMS-Holistic
4. Format of Visiting Expert Presentations


  1. What is CFS-FMS-Holistic


    CFS-FMS-HOLISTIC is a mailing for the discussion of Holistic Healing techniques for treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia (FMS) and related disorders.

    The goals of the list are to:

    • Share experiences and knowledge related to Holistic Healing treatments for CFS/FMS.
    • Support each other in dealing with and treating CFS/FMS. Feel free to both have fun and show compassion!
    • Understand potential contributory factors that lead to the development of CFS/FMS and related conditions so that we may help eliminate causative factors and help others prevent CFS/FMS where possible.

    From time to time Visiting Experts will make presentations to the group and will be available to answer questions.


  2. What is Holistic Medicine


    Holistic Medicine is defined by the Canadian Holistic Medical Association as follows.

      Holistic medicine is a system of health care which fosters a cooperative relationship among all those involved, leading towards optimal attainment of the physical, mental emotional, social and spiritual aspects of health.

      It emphasizes the need to look at the whole person, including analysis of physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional, social, spiritual and lifestyle values. It encompasses all stated modalities of diagnosis and treatment including drugs and surgery if no safe alternative exists. Holistic medicine focuses on education and responsibility for personal efforts to achieve balance and well being.

    Many people think of Holistic Medicine or Alternative Medicine as taking supplements or herbs, using magnets, changing diet, and perhaps practicing yoga or meditation or getting an acupuncture or massage treatment. We will probably discuss some of those things. But we will also discuss some Holistic Medicine techniques related to:

    • Building a foundation upon which deeper, more permanent healing can take place.

    • Other techniques successfully used by people who have reversed CFS and FMS.

    • Some of the more powerful Holistic Medicine techniques for deep healing and transformation.

    More general information about Holistic Medicine can be found at:



  3. Getting the Most From CFS-FMS-Holistic


    There are three ideas that can be very helpful in getting the most from Holistic Medicine.

    • A belief that healing CFS or FMS is possible ... or at least a willingness to reserve judgement while exploring Holistic Medicine treatments.

        "It is essential to have a sense of hope and the belief that you can get well. Seek out professionals and support groups that offer that philosophy. A profound healing on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels can be truly magical, and there need be no limits."
        [Ralph Sampson, M.D. & Patricia Huges, B.S.N.]

      There have been quite a few people who have used Holistic Medicine to reverse CFS and FMS. Some of them have even written books about their experiences and some of the techniques they have used.

      Still, some people have been told by Western physicians that "there is no cure for CFS and FMS." If a person believes that there is no cure for their illness and that they have to wait years or decades in the hopes that scientists discover a magical cure, then it is unlikely that a complete cure will be possible with Holistic Medicine. The reason for this is that the mind's belief in "no cure" will act as a sort of "reverse placebo effect" and hinder any Holistic treatment. Even in these cases, Holistic Medicine can often help considerably.

      But in order to get the most out of Holistic Medicine, a belief that a cure is possible or a willingness to reserve judgement while exploring Holistic Medicine treatments is the best state of mind in my opinion. An important addition to this idea is to encourage people you spend time with to hold a similar positive attitude.

    • A willingness to explore Holistic Medicine techniques.

      Anyone can read about Holistic Medicine techniques, but in order to get anything out of them, there has to be a willingness to explore the techniques that may prove helpful. Certainly not every technique or idea discussed will be appropriate for everyone. But a willingness to try various techniques can prove quite helpful.

      When the willingness to try an interesting technique is strong, some issues that would otherwise have been considered obstacles disappear. Still some obstacles may remain. If you bring up the issue, others in the group may know of an alternative technique or way to deal with the obstacle.

    • It is important to avoid trying to incorporate more changes than you can comfortably handle at once. This is especially important if you are reading through the Visiting Expert presentation archives. The tendency might be to begin many of the techniques all at once. Such an endeavor might be more detrimental than doing nothing. It would be better to explore each of the appropriate techniques and ideas slowly, one at a time.


  4. Format of Visiting Expert Presentations


    On an irregular basis, we will have Visiting Experts present information to the group related to healing CFS and FMS. Some of the Visiting Experts will be amongst the world's top Holistic Medicine practitioners. Others will be experts who can provide key information and experience that will help people on this list.

    The day before the Visiting Expert makes the presentation, I will send out an introduction to the group. The following day the Visiting Expert will send a presentation to the group. During the next six (6) days, persons on the group can ask followup questions of the Visiting Expert by emailing those questions to the group address:


    Within a week or two after the Visiting Expert's presentation, the archives of the presentation and the Questions and Answers period will be available on the CFS-FMS-Holistic web page at:

    http://www.holisticmed.com/cfs/#experts

    Asking questions is encouraged. However, please keep in mind the following three ideas:

    • If you have a question, please keep in mind that others may have the same question but may be too shy to ask.

    • Please try to ask questions relevent to the Visiting Expert's expertise.

    • Please try to avoid asking for highly specific treatment programs as the Visiting Expert is not in a position to be specific about all areas of your treatment plan.


Please feel free to ask any questions about the list or Holistic Medicine or to introduce yourself.

Cordially,

Mark Gold
Holistic Medicine Resource Center
mgold@HolisticMed.Com
http://www.HolisticMed.Com/


To be continued....