Most helpful customer reviews
|
|
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why should I read this book? ...I don't have asthma!, Jan 28 2003
WOW!! Talk about a "Tah Dah" experience, an "ephiphany", a life changing moment. I was attending a feild seminar as a graduate student in the School of Social Work fortunately Dr. Schafer was scheduled to present Spirituality in Social Work Practice. I was so impressed by Dr. Schafer's ideas, beliefs and her approach to life, I told myself, "I've got to get this book." I didn't know what I would discover, since I don't have asthma. I thought I would just read the book. However,the skills, ideas, tools presented between the covers of this easy to read, to the point book are appropriate for anyone seeking to make a change in their life. I discovered the mental imagery, other exercises, philosophy of FUN (to name just a few)are effective tools or methods for people whose abiltiy to take in vital life support is restricted by self doubt, expectations, fear. Anything that keeps us from living life abundantly can be addressed using the information and philosophy Dr. Kathryn Schafer shares. She knows from personal experience and her story is amazing and inspirational.
|
|
|
1.0 out of 5 stars
Would you deal with diabetes this way?, April 25 2001
By A Customer
This book fell far short of my expectations. It focused on a few things that may trigger asthma, but discussed them as if they were the disease process itself. Especially confusing is that this book offers an approach that disables the person with asthma (limiting his or her choice), but couches this disability in terms of acceptance, personal liberation and self-actualization. Most people with asthma (about 95%) can live perfectly normal, active lives that are rarely affected by the disease. Asthma does not have to be the centerpiece of their self-identification. Asthma is a controllable disease. Follow the approach of these authors, and the disease controls you. Their approach is not much different than telling a child not to run around - thereby limiting his or her social and physical development - instead of administering appropriate preventive medication. Asthma is a lifelong chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs with multiple phenotypes. The disease process is characterized by airway inflammation. Everyone has a unique set of asthma triggers. Some people's asthma may be triggered by attitudes, belief systems, and behavior, although the most common triggers are environmental exposure and upper respiratory infections. Recent research in peer-reviewed journals indicates that airway remodeling can result when the inflammation process is not controlled through anti-inflammatory therapy. In other words, a reversible airway disease becomes static, cellular composition is permanently altered, and pulmonary function is compromised. Take the F.U.N. approach at your own risk. Pulmonary function deteriorates as part of the aging process. Research consistently shows that people with asthma who control the inflammation process with daily anti-inflammatory medication and reduce exposure to allergens have stronger pulmonary function as they age. And people with asthma who do not use anti-inflammatory medications suffer marked deterioration of pulmonary function as they age. New evidence is starting to emerge that asthma not treated with anti-inflammatory medication also is linked to increased hyper-reactivity of the airways. In other words, their lungs become "twitchy" with smaller and smaller exposures triggering inflammation. Their lives become increasingly restricted. If publishers were liable for medical malpractice awards, readers would have to sign consent forms waiving their rights to redress before they could buy irresponsible feel-good books like this. In summary, asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs. Work in partnership with your doctor or nurse practitioner to find the appropriate medication to control the airway inflammation process. Once you have control of the pharmacotherapy, then try alternative or complementary medical approaches, and measure their efficacy by how much you can reduce your anti-inflammatory medication without increasing symptoms or need for urgent medical services, or restricting activity. Good luck.
|
|
|
5.0 out of 5 stars
Become All You Can Be Through The Power Of Your Mind, Jul 2 2000
By A Customer
My teenaged daughter has asthma and carries her inhaler wherever she goes. I see the limitations that this illness places on her. I do not ascribe to the medical view that illness has only a physical origin. I consider that the body cannot be separated from the internal workings of a person, i.e. thoughts, emotions, beliefs and outlook. I purchased this book based on the author of the forward, Dr. Gerald Epstein, whose books, Healing Visualizations and Healing Into Immortality, I regard as essential tools for daily life. I read Asthma Free in one sitting. I found it to be fascinating, informative, original and in some ways, redemptive. The inherent message is that all of us have the power to choose the course of our lives, including the physical ills that cause us to suffer. The authors compile scientific research with original interpretation and creative exercises. In fact, the name and meaning of the program - the F.U.N. Program - actually presents a method to conquer any difficulty found in life. The three steps - to focus, to undo and to act - form the three essential movements of all mindbody healing work. First, one must recognize the issue. To do this requires a moment of stepping away from the emotional story or the physical symptom. You cannot see the painting if you stand pressed against it. Second, you need to reverse the situation to experience how it would be for you would live life without turmoil; even if you only imagine for a instant, this allows you to glimpse life in an entirely new way. Third, you must act. You must bring this new perspective into your everyday life and not confine it to intellectual awareness. These three directions, learned in principle during the authors' study with Dr. Epstein, offer a way to freedom from asthma. I feel quite fortunate to discover an organized system for health based on the perspective that I have always held. Now, I just have to convince my daughter that she can heal herself from asthma. Teenagers are not known for their ready acceptance of parental suggestions. But, I know that soon she too will tire of this illness and will then be prepared to accept responsibility to heal herself. I will then give her this invaluable book.
|
|
|
Most recent customer reviews
|
