NLP for MS
Neurolinguistic programming (NLP) was the reason I got interested in working with multiple sclerosis (MS). In my training, we learned a simple process using the mind to eliminate physical allergies. Once I learned that we could convince the immune system not to attack something, like cat dander or strawberries, I went looking for bigger things to tackle. And that’s when I started applying NLP for symptoms of MS.
Learn more about my story of NLP for MS
What is NLP?
NLP (neurolinguistic programming) is a method of creating deep change at the level beliefs and behavior reside – the subconscious mind. It is not a set of techniques as you would find with most therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Instead, it is a method of understanding the pattern of success.
Once a success pattern is mapped out, it can be replicated with others that could also use that success! For example - studying how people that don’t get PTSD after a traumatic event think about the event vs those that do get traumatized. Once you find that pattern, you can eliminate, or at least dramatically reduce, PTSD. Fascinating stuff, especially considering the research demonstrated this NLP process is 98% successful (you can read more about it here ).
Similarly, you can find patterns in those that healed their chronic disease (as I have done with MS), in those that are no longer allergic to a substance, in those that quit a bad habit, and those that changed a limiting belief.
read my research where I explain the patterns common in MS
This is NLP’s essence since its inception. Its creators, Richard Bandler and John Grinder, first applied it to the patterns of very successful therapists and hypnotherapists - Fritz Pearls, Virginia Satir, and Milton Erikson. They studied their gestures, their expressions, their wording, pacing, mirroring, everything they could map about what each of these brilliant therapists were doing in their practice that created success in their patients (things that, oftentimes, the therapist themselves didn’t notice. Their, oftentimes, ‘unconscious’ set of methods they applied effectively).
Then Bandler and Grinder took what they discovered and tested it on themselves and their colleagues to see if other practitioners could be just as effective therapists using similar means. They not only focused on the subject of psychology, however. They even used this mind mapping to help people become successful in other skills as well. One example of this is in the work they did to increase the effectiveness of sharp shooter training (cut down the days the trainees spent practicing by 70% and tripled the amount of successful graduates! (Though its not relevant to MS, you can take a read here ).
NLP and Health
The field of neurolinguistic programming (NLP) has been successful in supporting conventional medicine. It can help speed recovery, increase the placebo affect, reduce stress, eliminate inflammation, increase compliance with treatment, and teach us what a truly healthy lifestyles is (you can find a fascinating study on 100 years olds and what keeps them healthy here and no it's not what they eat!!).
I did a presentation on the key presuppositions of NLP for health to help you begin your journey into NLP for MS:
NLP Presuppositions for MS
NLP and MS
At the start of my work with neurolinguistic programming for multiple sclerosis, apart from my own experimentation to find methods similar to allergies on the response of the immune system on myelin, I also interviewed others that had already found success in healing MS to find patterns I could replicate.
On my journey, I met a couple that used NLP to successfully recover from MS - Sharalee Clawson, who had head MS for five years and a load of typical symptoms, and her neighbor and family friend, Earl Corless, a master NLP practitioner studying NLP for Health (a course I also took a few years after he did). While I interviewed both of them to find insights into healing MS, I only got one of my interviews with Sharalee on camera.
Successful NLP for MS
Watch my interview with Sharalee Clawson. Together, we discuss some of the key points to remember when using neurolinguistic programming (NLP) for multiple sclerosis.
Sharalee discovered, through neurolinguistic programming, that her mind’s interpretation of the world required her to block off her emotions, scorn relaxation and push forward even when she was exhausted. Her upbringing, not necessarily traumatic, had also made her feel responsible for other people’s happiness. Life, in her mind, had been a long never-ending to do list. She also learned, through NLP, that the way she set up goals made them impossible to achieve and she would always end up feeling like a total failure.
Thus, much of the work together focused on changing these limiting beliefs and behaviors. The pair also had to create a new empowering future self for Sharalee as the diagnosis had wiped out any visions of a positive future! It’s been more than 25 years since they worked together. Sharalee remains remains free of her symptoms with an occasional reminder (numbing or stiffness) when she slips (like pushing herself or ignoring her needs for too long!).
Fortunately, for us, they wrote an excellent book on their journey, both from the point of view of the client, Sharalee, and the practitioner, Earl. In the book, they detail the processes they used to help Sharalee become symptoms free.
Neurolinguistic Programming Approach to MS
One of the predisposing concepts of NLP I use to approach symptoms of MS is that a problem, including physical problems, such as a symptom, should never be considered bad. Instead, NLP sees symptoms as the best response to an external problem the body had at that particular moment in time.
NLP’s approach is that the body is NOT broken nor defective. Instead, it considers symptoms as solutions that might be affective, but limiting (how's that for a change in mindset!).
Want to change the symptom? One way would be to first understand the problem this solution is ‘solving’ and find a more effective (and less limiting) solution! Then the symptom becomes irrelevant, and the body can return to homeostasis.
German New Medicine (some call it German Healing Knowledge) , which I also incorporate in my work, has the same premise.
What I have discovered using NLP for MS
Using the lens of NLP, you can discover your own limiting beliefs about yourself, others, and life in general. You can compare how you see MS with how others, that were successful in reversing symptoms, saw theirs. And you can build resources to be better prepared for the unexpected in life.
Using neurolinguistic programming on clients with multiple sclerosis, I often find that people diagnosed see life as a sort of report card that is forever grading them (did I do enough?) and pushing them to be better (and better and better). This way of interpreting life creates a very high level of stress, conflicts, and impossibly high personal standards that can cause the body and immune system to react negatively. When the mind sees life in this way, the worst enemy is not coming from outside the body, but within the mind. This mindset also causes significant doubts regarding one’s worth.
Video Guides - NLP for MS
NLP, MS and Triggers
NLP is also affective in dealing with triggers. Have you noticed that when you are in certain environments, with particular people, or eating certain foods, your symptoms are worse? That is because the body has related those things/situation/food to something negative (like becoming allergic to shrimp after you’ve had a terrible argument at a restaurant while eating shrimp - yes this actually happened!).
Apart from removing the negative reaction to foods and hospital environments, NLP can also be applied to stop the symptoms of MS. For example, many of my clients get increased rigidity when they push themselves to do something, like the laundry, when they are tired. Or walk worse when others are watching. We can reduce these triggers significantly using NLP. Here one of the best tools is to apply the Allergy Process I mentioned earlier (You can find a talk I did on the allergy process here).
Where to Start with NLP and MS?
Along with individual sessions to receive personalized support for your healing journey, consider joining our Healing MS Community. We offer free webinars as well as longer workshops using NLP, hypnosis and German New Medicine. These small group cohort workshops are intentionally small (but affordable) so you can share, discover, and receive guidance in a supportive environment.