Forty percent of Americans suffer from one or more chronic health problems, and conventional medicine often is unable to restore their health. Two years ago, Stuart Rothenberg, M.D. established the Center for Chronic Disorders in Dallas, Texas to offer a new approach to patients with chronic diseases—an approach which incorporates Maharishi Vedic Medicine. As medical director of this pioneering health facility, Dr. Rothenberg has had remarkable success in bringing improvement to patients with serious medical disorders.

Enlightenment: What types of chronic disorders have you treated at your Center?

Dr. Rothenberg: We’ve had patients with a wide range of chronic disorders. For example, one lady with Parkinson’s disease, which is usually considered a very difficult disorder to treat, responded very well to our program. She was able to reduce her medications by over 50 percent, with virtually complete disappearance of the symptoms of her disease as well as the side effects from her medication.

We’ve also had people with chronic immune system disorders who were given very poor prognoses by their regular doctor. For one patient with sarcoidosis, all symptoms of the disease disappeared and have remained in complete remission for almost two years. We could say that the program really cured this very serious disease.

Enlightenment: What about more common health problems?

Dr. Rothenberg: We’ve seen people with chronic fatigue, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, migraine headache, chronic respiratory diseases, and chronic menstrual disorders. These patients, who were not making much progress with their conventional care, were very significantly improved after their in-residence program here.

Enlightenment: Do you take patients whose conditions are serious?

Dr. Rothenberg: Yes. However, we require that they be medically stable prior to entry into our programs. For example, one recent patient with a severe digestive disorder came to us on the verge of needing critical care. She was able to eat only about 600 calories per day, and had lost 30 percent of her body weight—basically in a state of starvation. After staying with us for three months, her condition was completely turned around. Her digestive disorder improved dramatically and her calorie intake increased to 2,500 calories a day. By the time she left she had gained 12 pounds and was continuing to gain at a rate of 2 to 3 pounds a week.

Enlightenment t: Is cancer also considered a chronic disorder?

Dr. Rothenberg: We put cancer in a different category, because it can be a disease that progresses rapidly. But we have had experience with cancer patients in chronic pain who responded dramatically, who actually became pain-free after the residential treatment program. And we continue to follow them to see the impact on the course of their disease.

Enlightenment: Do most people need to come back for additional treatments?

Dr. Rothenberg: Most patients haven’t needed to come back for in-residence treatment. They’ve taken just one residential course of treatment. When they leave the in-residence program, they are prescribed a home program to stabilize and continue their progress.

Enlightenment: Does everyone need to come in residence, or do you also consult with outpatients?

Dr. Rothenberg: It depends on the severity of their condition. People who have severe and deeply established chronic diseases really do need to come for in-residence treatment. Other people with chronic disorders that are not as severe can be treated with just a home program.

Enlightenment: Will they get the same benefits at home?

Dr. Rothenberg: As a general rule, an individual with a chronic disease will benefit more significantly from the in-residence program than from outpatient treatment alone. But if it’s not possible for a person to come in-residence, we recommend an outpatient program because there can be benefit, especially if the disorder is less severe.

Enlightenment: Before people come for an in-residence treatment, do they first have a consultation to analyze their situation?

Dr. Rothenberg: That’s right. And if the person lives a long distance from the Center, we can do the consultation by telephone.

Enlightenment: What’s the first step for people interested in this program?

Dr. Rothenberg: To apply for the program, the person fills out a comprehensive medical history questionnaire. This is evaluated by the medical director at the clinic, and also by a panel of experts in Maharishi Vedic Medicine in Holland. This is the first step, and is the basis for the initial recommendations to the patient.

For more information on the Dallas Center for Chronic Disorders call: 1-888-259-9915.