Vol. 2 No. 5 September, 1998
MERIDIAN INSTITUTE NEWS
Cooperating Researchers Program Begins
One of Meridian Institute’s primary purposes is to “conduct and support … clinical projects incorporating a network of cooperating researchers and clinicians.”
To begin the process of creating such a network, Meridian Institute has initiated a program intended to develop cooperative relationships with professionals working with the Cayce health information.
A Cooperating Researcher is a health care professional who is applying the Cayce readings, and is willing to share with Meridian Institute the results of this application. This sharing might include: presentations at Meridian Institute conferences and workshops, contribution to a database on results of applications, and contribution of new research protocols. A Cooperating Researcher might also offer services such as massage or chiropractic, either as a volunteer or for reimbursement to be agreed on for specific projects.
To clarify the relationship between Meridian Institute and cooperating researchers, the following guidelines have been developed:
Meridian Institute will provide suggested research protocols, data sheets, and information on the results of our own research projects.
There will be no obligation on the part of either the Cooperating Researcher or Meridian Institute to participate in any particular activity.
Cooperating Researcher status applies only to individuals, not organizations or companies. If more than one individual in a particular organization desires to be a Cooperating Researcher, they would have to seek this status individually.
Cooperating Researcher status is not meant to imply that Meridian Institute approves or accepts responsibility for projects not under its direct control. It is your responsibility to practice within the limits of your license or certification, complying with all applicable laws or regulations. It is also your responsibility to conduct research in an ethical manner, including informing subjects of benefits and risks of participation, and maintaining confidentiality.
Meridian Institute conducts educational and research programs, not training programs. Meridian Institute does not certify expertise in Cayce therapies, and Cooperating Researchers must not state or imply that they have been trained by Meridian Institute to offer those therapies.
Meridian Institute does not endorse products or therapists. Cooperating Researchers must not use the Meridian Institute name in any advertising materials.
Meridian Institute is not a membership organization. Cooperating Researchers are not “members” of Meridian Institute. They are independent practitioners with an interest in sharing expertise and research results.
Cooperating Researcher status is granted for a specific time period, normally a year, and is renewable by the mutual agreement of the researcher and Meridian Institute.
If you are a health professional who would liked to be considered for cooperating researcher status, contact us by mail, phone or e-mail and request a cooperating researcher application.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy involves the therapeutic use of the hands and is used by a variety of health professionals such as osteopaths, chiropractors, massage therapists, etc.
Because manual therapy plays such a central role in the Edgar Cayce readings, Meridian Institute has been doing basic research on manual therapy principles and techniques. Francis Sporer reported his experience with application of a Cayce recommended technique in a recent issue (see
An Experience with the “Third Cervical Release” Technique, Vol. 2 No. 3, May 1998).
Doug Richards, research director at Meridian Institute, has also used a simple manual therapy technique to relieve pain associated with gallstones. Here is his story of how he applied “inhibition” (a traditional osteopathic technique of holding pressure on a nerve center to regulate its activity) to provide symptomatic relief during gallbladder attacks:
Manual Therapy for Gallstone Colic
“The gallbladder stores bile from the liver, and releases it during the digestive process. When gallstones form, they can occasionally attempt to enter the gall duct, causing “gallstone colic,” intense pain that may last for hours.
“The primary conventional treatment for gallstones is surgery to remove the gallbladder. I preferred to try a less invasive approach, so I used castor oil packs as recommended by Edgar Cayce. The Cayce readings often
warned that castor oil packs might not be enough, and that an operation might be necessary. I found that they provided some relief, but did not seem to be dissolving the gallstones. I also tried a popular gallbladder-liver “flush” using olive oil, but found that provoked gallstone attacks in my case.
“After several painful attacks lasting all night, I decided to opt for the surgery, but I could not schedule it for several months. In the meantime, the doctor prescribed an anti-spasmodic medication that I could take at the first sign of an attack. It worked, but it took over an hour to take effect, and left me feeling a little sick the next day.
“Carl Nelson, a chiropractor with Meridian Institute, suggested a manual therapy approach. Much of the digestive process, including contraction of the gallbladder, is stimulated by the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve originates in the brain, and travels outside the spinal cord through the neck to reach the organs of the body.
“Carl’s recommendation was, at the first sign of a gallbladder attack, to inhibit the vagus nerve by pressure in the hollow in the side of the neck. This allows the gallbladder to relax. I found that 5 to 10 minutes of deep pressure in the right side of the neck was effective for stopping gallstone attacks. For the next 3 months, before I had my surgery, I no longer had to take the anti-spasmodic medication. For me, this was a great example of the power of physiological regulation through manual therapy.”
Individual Research Protocols
As mentioned in our last issue, Meridian Institute has created a number of individual research protocols which may be used by persons who are unable to attend research conferences. Each protocol is comprehensive and contains:
- An overview of the disease,
- A specific treatment plan,
- Detailed explanations of how to do each therapy in the treatment plan,
- Documentation (when available) of how this approach has helped other people,
- Data collection forms which emphasize the research aspects of the project.
The format is a simple “pretest/posttest” design. Participants are asked to provide background information and data before they begin the treatments. After following the protocol for six months, follow up data is collected so that we can assess the effects of treatment. As an incentive, a rebate coupon is provided which entitles participants to receive a partial rebate on the price of the protocol when the data is mailed to do us.
To keep you updated on the latest protocols which are available, here is a listing of the protocols which are now offered:
Alzheimer’s Dementia
Asthma
Blepharitis
Breast Cancer
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Coronary Heart Disease
Crohn’s Disease
Cystitis
Depression
Diabetes (Type II)
Dysmenorrhea (Painful Menstruation)
Epilepsy
Fibromyalgia
Hemorrhoids
Hypertension
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Lung Cancer
Lupus
Menopause
Migraine
Multiple Sclerosis
Osteoarthritis
Parkinson’s Disease
Prostate Cancer
Prostatitis
Psoriasis
Sinusitis
Stroke
Tinnitus
Tuberculosis
Ulcerative Colitis
Varicose Veins
The cost of protocols varies depending upon the amount of documentation and supplementary resources included with the package. Research Protocols are available from Deborah Thompson, R. N. at (757) 496-6411.