The Lightning Process
The Lightning Process (LP) is 3 day training programme designed by osteopath Phil Parker (Principal of the European College of Holistic Medicine 1997 - 2008, Director of The Phil Parker Training Institute 2008–present).
Developed in the late 1990s by Phil Parker, The Lightning Process has claimed to be effective in the treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as well as other auto-immune conditions, neurobehavioural disorders and neurological conditions.
The system is derived from osteopathy, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and life coaching.[1] This has led to criticism that the process treats M.E. as a "psychological manifestation" rather than a physical illness.[2] In response, practitioners strongly deny that the technique treats illness by merely focusing on behaviour–modifying methods[citation needed], and Phil Parker underlines in his literature that M.E is a physical illness not a psychological one[specify]. The Lightning Process has been linked to the idea of breaking an "adrenaline loop",[3] with the argument that M.E is an illness that affects the body's capacity to deal with adrenaline",[4] and that the cure is to modify the brain's thought patterns to generate endorphins instead of stress-related hormones.[3] Proponents insist these publicised simplifications ignore more complex theories put forward by Parker. Vicki Rimmer, writing in Positive Health Magazine, summarises the Lightning Process's hypothesis in regard to the lack of a common neurological pathology in M.E. by stating that a dysregulation of the Central Nervous System and Sympathetic nervous system occurs in suffers of M.E., and that this dysregulation is a result of the physical effects of the illness.[5]
While not specifically looking at the Lightning Process, Bruun Wyller's research has, he claims, revealed a degree of sympathy with part of the process's underlying theory. He argues that: "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."[5]
There has been some criticism on the cost of the three-day course,[6] while others have pointed to the inconsistency of the results, with some clients reporting "less than positive" outcomes,[3] or suffering from relapses after the conclusion of the training.[2] Those who claim successful results from the process include the daughter of Esther Rantzen[4], the wife of the rugby union player, Austin Healey[citation needed], and Chris Marquez, three times World Salsa Champion as well as thousands of other people [7]. Both the treatment and the theory that ME is connected to adrenaline are unproven,[3] although independent studies into the effectiveness of The Lightning Process are underway in the UK and Scandinavia.[citation needed]
See also
References
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- Mind-body interventions
- Devices to alter consciousness
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