The Lightning Process^™       

This training is a revolutionary approach for many chronic illnesses such as ME/CFS/PVFS/Fibromyalgia.

The seminar is run over three consecutive days. It was designed by Osteopath/NLP Master Practitioner/Hypnotherapist Phil Parker. It has been taught to people aged six to eighty seven. For more about the seminar click here

It was developed by Phil Parker as a result of his work on people who became "stuck" in their lives:

"During my work I came across people who were stuck with their symptoms but I looked at them and I couldn't see why. They were no worse than other people who had got better. I don't easily accept that things can't be done. If people tell me something can't be done, I think, I bet it can. "

"The Lightning Process^™ gives people the techniques to break the cycle and re-wire their brain out of ME and a whole range of other illnesses." Phil Parker

Click here for more information and a download of how the Lightning Process can affect health generally and the Physical Emergency Response (PER)

ME/CFS/PVFS/PVS/Glandular Fever/Fibromyalgia click here for more information on how the LP appears to work with these conditions.

Migraines

Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS, and other digestive disorders

Chronic Pain

Thyroid conditions

MS - results with symtoms with this condition have been exciting. The improvements are likely to be due to the positive impact on the immune system.

We are starting a 'Proof of Concept' study jointly with the MSRC (Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre, registered charity number 1033731), and details will be published in 'New Pathways' magazine. For more information about the study and how to be involved contact Heather.

click here for the magazine article

The process is also for conditions which are primarily psychological

Depression

Anxiety

Panic Attacks

Insomnia

Eating Disorders

Low Confidence/Self-Esteem

Anger Issues

OCD

Guilt 

Stage Fright

Fear of failure

Smoking

The Process addresses any sort of 'stuckness'. It enables decision making, gaining clarity, and helps people move forward in their life in a positive way.

How the training is conducted:

The work is usually done in small groups of between 2 and 4 people although occasionally done as individual training. The process is simple to use but there are many ways to use it and a lot to learn about when to use it.

Day 1:

Exploration of factors that are preventing individuals from getting well or being able to experience life in the way they want. For ME, this includes a discussion of the complex physiology of the condition, and especially considers the role of the endrocrine, nervous system and immune system in the maintenance of the condition. The thinking patterns which arise due to the symptoms are studied. How to then recognise particular thoughts which trigger the stress response, and replace with a different thought, which results in building a new neurological pathway. This new pathway will lead the body to different physiology which will enable the mind and body to 'heal'. The ability of the brain to build new pathways through learning and repetition has changed how scientists now view the brain. References to more websites about this 'plasticity' of the brain can be viewed at www.lightningprocess.com

Training in the key steps of the process, taught to suit individual needs and abilities. This includes the series of body movements, postures and core questions to stimulate new neurological pathways. The brain has the ability to create new pathways rapidly so changes in physiology/symptoms are often seen surprisingly quickly.

Days 2 and 3:

Include further training in ways to change old neurological pathways and create and stabalise new ones, and a preparation for the future.

Bringing a carer/partner/parent to the seminar can be helpful and this is possible, without charge, if you decide it will be useful. They will need to complete a form beforehand.

Each day's training usually takes between 4 and 6 hours (depending on group size) including breaks.

The LP for ME/CFS/PVS/Glandular Fever and Fibromyalgia

These conditions are grouped together because they all tend to respond in the same way with the process.

These are very 'real' conditions. ME/CFS is definitely NOT 'all in the mind'. However it has been shown to be possible to use the process to re-balance body chemicals, build new neural pathways, and resolve symptoms rapidly. The training teaches how to influence the important/key body systems; hormonal, musculoskeletal, digestive and immune systems. The immune system and digestive system (of particular relevance to ME/CFS) are negatively affected by dis-regulation of the stress hormones, adrenaline, cortisol, nor-adrenaline.

The Physiological Catch 22 

There are many elements that make up The Lightning Process^™, but one of the most important is called the "Physiological Catch 22". This is derived from Phil Parker's identification of the following downward spiral in M.E sufferers. Recent research by Dr Bruun Wyller has concurred with the physiological findings suggested by the model:

1. They fall ill due to an initial 'bug' or some external factor that precipitates their ME This onset can be variable from one individual to another- it commonly includes responses to operations, vaccines, extreme temperatures and even emotional stress. This onset "event", whatever it's cause, results in creating an extreme physiological stress on their immune system.

2. They feel very unwell. The symptoms were either very strong or lasted so long that they begin to wonder if they'd ever get better. They consult GP's and specialists in a number of fields, but nobody seems to have any answers, or provides much useful help, and the illness continues. Maybe a diagnosis is given of ME/CFS/PVS or Fibromyalgia. This then suggests little hope of a rapid recovery and the possibility of years of ill health has to be considered.

3. The ongoing physical response to the original "event" combined now with these additional emotional concerns, understandably, creates an even greater and sustained physical stress/arousal response. This in turn further stimulates the Sympathetic Nervous System and the adrenaline, nor adrenaline and cortisol axis. A sustained arousal of this system has been long known to have a detrimental effect on many other body systems, but of special importance in ME is the effect of this on the immune system. This then creates a positive feedback loop, taking the ME client back to step 2.

The method is then taught, to break the negative spiral and establish a healing spiral.

Severely affected ME patients:

Individual training.  Heather has worked successfully with many severely affected, bed-bound people with ME. She has personal experience of being bed-bound for 16 years with the condition and has a deep understanding of the situation. It may be difficult to imagine how it is possible for someone with very severe symptoms, to be able to walk, do and enjoy things that were previously impossible or intolerable, often in just one day. But this is what normally happens with this process. Continued practice using the process, builds the new neural pathways until they then become established. Time is then necessary to re-build muscle and stamina.

How the LP is used for other Chronic Conditions

Many other chronic conditions such as IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome, chronic pain, migraines or persistent headaches are approached in the same way as for ME/CFS. How the spiral has become chronic via the stress response is discussed (both physical stress and emotional stress in response to the situation). This negative spiral is then reversed using the tools and the understanding gained in the seminar. This leads to a change in energy, general well-being and health. The process positively influences the immune system which is probably how it can assist in illnesses such as Multiple Sclerosis, MS.

Heather Thomas is one of the most experienced Advanced Lightning Process Practitioners and works in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, Weybridge, Surrey and Marlow, Berkshire.

This process is sometimes mistakenly called the Lightening Process, Lightening Therapy, Lightning Therapy, Lightning Treatment or Lightening Treatment.