Vol. 2 No. 5 September,
1998
Included in this issue:
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.
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.
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
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:
"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
"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:
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
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. |