Improvements in Chronic Diseases With a Comprehensive Natural Medicine Approach: A Review and Case Series

Abstract

Approximately 40% of the US population report using complementary and alternative medicine, including Maharishi Vedic Medicine (MVM), a traditional, comprehensive system of natural medicine, for relief from chronic and other disorders. Although many reports suggest health benefits from individual MVM techniques, reports on integrated holistic approaches are rare. This case series, designed to investigate the effectiveness of an integrated, multi-modality MVM program in an ideal clinical setting, describes the outcomes in four patients: one with sarcoidosis; one with Parkinson's disease; a third with renal hypertension; and a fourth with diabetes/essential hypertension/anxiety disorder. Standard symptom reports and objective markers of disease were evaluated before, during, and after the treatment period. Results suggested substantial improvements as indicated by reductions in major signs, symptoms, and use of conventional medications in the four patients during the 3-week in-residence treatment phase and continuing through the home follow-up program.

Index Terms:

• complementary and alternative medicine
• chronic disease
• Maharishi Vedic Medicine
• natural medicine

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tony Nader

Dr Nader is president of Maharishi University of Management and Maharishi Open University in Vlodrop, The Netherlands. At the time this article was prepared, Dr Rothenberg was director of the Center for Chronic Disorders, Dallas, Texas, and Dr Averbach was director of the Center for Chronic Disorders, Chicago. Dr Charles is executive vice president, the Physicians Association for Eradicating Chronic Disorders; Dr Fields is a senior fellow, Center for Healthy Aging, St Joseph Hospital and Health Center, Chicago, and Maharishi University of Management. Dr Schneider is director of the Center for Natural Medicine and Prevention, and dean of the College of Maharishi Vedic Medicine, Fairfield, Iowa.