Return To Health (Pando Health Groups)

There is a magic that happens when people are brought out of their own little worlds and come together with their peers. Humans and animals have strong powers on their own but when they come out of isolation there is an energy which evolves that takes the group and its members to heights that could not have been reached by the individuals themselves. The mechanics or explanation for this phenomenon is not totally clear to me or anyone that I am aware but a lack of understanding of mechanism should not diminish the truth --- people rise to new heights when connected with others. This concept is a bit contrary to the rugged individualist theme so prevalent in America. Dependence on others is seen as a weakness in our society. However, inter-reliance and connection between individuals actually strengthens each individual and generates a power that could not have been generated by the individuals working alone. While we await a physicist or scientist of some sort to offer an explanation fo...

For many people, their main goal is to find peace. This takes many forms: some just want to sleep well, others want to be free from worry, others wish to be able to be "comfortable in their own skin" (to be themselves). For others, relief of physical symptoms is the goal. Many of the syndromes of modern medicine stem from the absence of peace. Fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, insomnia, chronic pain syndromes, as well as anxiety and depression are the terms used in modern medicine to attempt to classify the absence of peace in the body. As many people who strive for the goal of peace, there are are also an infinite number of ways to get there. Exercise, prayer, meditation, yoga, nature, and talking with someone who is a good listener are just a few of the paths to find peace. The self-help movement is geared to this goal and literally thousands of books have been written on the subject.Undoubtedly, the rapid pace of the modern world plays a major role ...

The ACE study compares childhood events (violence, sexual abuse, neglect) with adult health outcomes many decades later. The results are extremely disturbing. It turns out that early childhood negative experiences are VERY related to later physical, emotional, and social status. The correlation is not small; not trivial. It is shockingly predictive. It appears we do NOT get over our issues in most cases. In fact, adversity in childhood is directly related to poor outcomes as adults. The implications of this study are profound. First, the information was obtained from a detailed questionnaire not from verbal interaction. More information than is ever obtained from a doctor-patient relationship for YEARS was obtained from a simple questionnaire. Doctor's visits are traditionally symptom-focused and do not get to any ROOT situations that make up an individual. So, our current system simply sweeps under the rug VITAL information that make true understanding of a person possible. The d...

The journey back from illness and injury begins with the first step. Often, this is a visit with one's doctor. Other times, it is the moment after "hitting rock bottom" and one decides that misery and suffering are not the paths which one is going to take anymore and a decision is made to make changes. It can also come with the advice and guidance of a good friend or guide. In any case, it may be assisted by another but the momentum changes only when an individual makes the decision to get well. The intention changes; commitment is made; and doors finally begin to open. What follows is nothing short of miraculous. I believe it best summarized by the following quote by Goethe: Begin It Now Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back,always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and plans: That the moment o...

As modern medicine has fallen off the throne, there has been a mass movement to other forms of healing. There is a hunger that exists in the world for "something more" in terms of healing. Many modalities, products and services have become popular. The following is an incomplete list of these non-mainstream healing products and services: Products: Vitamins Nutritional Supplements Neutraceuticals Herbal Products Services: Psychotherapy (many types and varieties) Spiritual therapies Shamanism Massage Therapies Chiropractic Care Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Aryuvedic Therapies Feldenkrais Yoga based therapies Alternative Physical and Exercise Therapies Pilates Healing Touch Life Coaching Group Therapies Energy Healing Meditation Rake Hypnosis This list is by no means exhaustive and just serves to demonstrate the amazing variety of products and services which have arisen to meet the needs of hungry consumers looking to feel better. The terms alternative, complementary and int...

Title: Back to the Pack Preface Chapters 1. Isolation 2. The Effect of Loneliness and Perceived Isolation on Medical Illness and Recovery The Research Acute vs. Chronic Medical Care Psychology, Spirituality, and Health Patient Stories 3. The Cure/Getting Well/Returning to the Pack 4. Staying Well Summary

Modern medicine has brought amazing gifts to the world by interrupting acute processes which if left uncorrected would result in death or suffering. Surgeries of many varieties have evolved to radically change human lives. Bypass surgery often gives the heart a true second chance. Intra-abdominal surgeries can prevent life-ending infections and other catastrophes. Antibiotics have allowed the treatment of infections which in years gone by resulted in death. Cancer treatments have led to cures in many cases and life prolongation in others. Post-trauma (emergency) care has become life-saving in miraculous ways. Modern life is truly safer and more protected than 100 years ago. However, humans continue to suffer at very high levels despite these advances in acute interventions. Why? Modern medicine has NOT progressed much at all in the care of chronic conditions. Chronic conditions are often NOT amenable to acute interventions. They become “murkier” with their chronicity and emotional an...

"Then wilt thou not be loth to leave this paradise, but shall possess a paradise within thee, happier far". Milton

Negative States vs Positive States Sad/Depressed vs Happy/Joy Anger vs Peace Fear vs Faith Envy vs Love Closed vs Open Intolerance vs Tolerance Hate vs For...

For years, the terms spirituality, psychology and health could not be mentioned in the same space. Health was deemed to be about the body and science decided how the body worked and how it got better if it broke down. The principles followed from engineering and mechanics. This approach works for many (especially doctors who specialize in technological and mechanical solutions). The problem is that this approach ignores and negates two giant aspects of human existence - - emotions and connectivity. While these two phenomena are difficult to see, touch, hold, manipulate, and understand; their presence and importance in human life and the quest for health are indisputable. In fact, they are the substrates upon which all healing, happiness, and growth evolve. We have entered a different era. The world has begun to acknowledge the role of psychology and spirituality in health and healing but it seems the standard medical world ironically is the last to accept this basic truth. This slowne...

I met Helen in 1996. She was a pleasant, attractive 72 year old lady who appeared on initial meeting to be a healthy lady. She was diabetic(on insulin) since her youth but obviously bright and knowledgable about her condition. I met her at a class I was running called Healthy Heart. It was a four week class designed to help individuals with heart disease manage their condition better. She was attentive and interactive at our initial sessions. She was having frequent chest pains which had not been relieved with standard medical interventions. She had seen doctors and had the full medical evaluation including an angiogram which demonstrated coronary artery blockages which were deemed not remediable by angioplasty,etc. She came to the class in an effort to find a solution to her debilitating symptoms. She was managing her symptoms with medicines but not doing very well. I had recently learned about the role of suppressed emotions in heart disease and was eager to pursue this avenue in try...

Loneliness and being alone are two very different concepts. Spending time alone is a gift and has infinite possibilities. Loneliness describes a feeling (dejection; sadness) resulting from separation from one's companions and implies a loss of control to change one's situation. These two terms seem similar but in truth they could NOT be farther apart. While alone time can be rejuvenating, energizing and pleasant, loneliness is deflating, depleting, and confining. The difference between these two conditions (being alone and loneliness) cuts to the core of our pursuit for health and happiness. Every individual is physically separate from the pack. We go through life wrapped in our skin; our body literally separated from others by space and the walls of our individual containers. However, this physical separation need not imply true isolation. Loneliness is a perception and also a choice. The negative feeling experienced by separation from others is a learned style of being. The d...