Lyme Disease Study -

Conducted Dr. Peter Kassner, NMD in conjunction with Hei Long Jiang University of TCM, China

Your participation in this project is important to the future of Lyme diagnosis & natural treatment.

I have had Lyme disease for the last 21 years, since the age of 13, and for over 17 years no one knew what was wrong with me. If you have Chronic Lyme then you can identify with my experience. Delayed and incorrect diagnosis is something I want to change and you can help me do that by contributing to this study. Together, we can make a difference. I am self funding this project and conducting this study under the guidance of one of my master teachers, Professor Chang, head of neurology at Hei Long Jiang University of TCM, China. The results of this study will be posted here in late October 2011.

I have developed a consistent method for communicating your experience and symptoms to your practitioner in the form of a Comprehensive Lyme Symptom Inventory. And its free. This FREE form should be a part of your regular dialog with your Lyme Practitioner, no matter what their specialty. The CLSI contains many symptoms that may or may not be the result of Lyme. Your contribution will help us find out.

Form 1 – Comprehensive Lyme Symptom Inventory (CLSI) Fill In Form
Form 2 – Acupuncturist / Practitioner Tongue & Pulse diagnosis Fill In Form   
         If you wish to save and send these files electronically use this free program www.nitroreader.com 

What I need from you to contribute to the study.

1. You must have a positive diagnosis for Lyme.

2. And been experiencing symptoms for at least 1 year.

3. Download The Forms

4. Fill out Form 1

5. Take Form 2 to your local acupuncturist and have them document your Tongue and Pulse types.

6. If you would like to visit Tuscaloosa AL, you may come here and I would be happy to give you a free consultation while reading your tongue and pulse.

Submit your results on or before April 30^th 2011 Fax 866-628-4621, email info@healthnatura.com
Mailing address: 1130 University Blvd STE B9 #310, Tuscaloosa AL 35401

Reimbursement
Each completed submission is eligible for a $65.00 reimbursement until the study is closed.* A submission is only considered complete when forms 1 & 2 are returned legible, filled out in their entirety and the participant meets the diagnosis and disease duration requirements. 

Please see our Privacy & Confidentiality policy below. **

What are the subtle symptoms of Chronic Lyme disease?
That is the question I want to precisely answer. The goal of this study is to better determine the subtle symptom patterns of Chronic Lyme Disease and to determine the syndrome pattern presented from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective. To date, Chinese medicine has only begun to research this disease in its chronic form. And there are no studies on the subtle symptoms of Lyme in TCM. Thus its vast treatment resources have also been relatively untapped in treatment of chronic Lyme. In addition to this, Western research has been essentially uninterested in the subtle symptom presentation of this chronic disease as well.

Earlier Diagnosis Through a Better Understanding of Symptoms.
Late diagnosis is a primary contributor to Chronic Lyme. What are we missing? Perhaps we have most of the acute symptoms of Lyme figured out. But what are the more subtle symptoms that could be specific to Lyme? What subtle symptom clusters could be of specific significance in Lyme diagnosis and awareness? That is my specific goal to define a more precise understanding of the symptoms.

Better Selection of Remedies
The proper selection of therapeutic acupuncture points or herbs in Chinese medicine as well as Western herbology depends on the traditional indications for the remedy. Proper and precise selection comes not only from the major symptoms, but is refined and confirmed by the subtle symptoms. Modern research into the point or herb only serves to enhance our understanding of the traditional indications.

The Problem – We become overwhelmed
In clinical practice the determination of subtle symptoms can be easily overlooked or missed for a number of reasons. In the patient's mind, and the doctor's for that matter, major symptoms tend to capture the attention. Drowning out one's awareness of the presence of other symptoms that may be important. So the practitioner's reliance solely on verbal reporting, or a short questionnaire, becomes a weakness in Lyme diagnosis and follow up and can miss very important data about their patient's experience. A practitioner can not treat what they are unaware of.

The Solution – The Kassner Comprehensive Lyme Symptom Inventory
We need reminding. The remembering of one's subtle symptoms can be brought about by asking questions about things you might not have thought to mention or had words to describe. But if you read it, you have the chance to respond. “Wow, I never thought about it but, 'yes' (or 'no'), I experience that!”

Your participation is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,
Peter Kassner

*The study will be closed at when the study period ends or when the study reaches its number requirements.

**Privacy & Confidentiality
The security of your confidential information is of utmost importance to me. Your information will be used for study purposes only & in the following ways.

1. To verify that you are a valid participant. Your full name and contact information is internal proof to my superiors that your survey is not falsified.

2. To verify portions of your survey if there are questions about your intended response.

3. To make study participation payments.

4. Gain access to your free study participation consultation.

5. To update you when study results are available.

6. To inform you of future studies that may be of interest to you.

Your information will never be sold or used in any way other than outlined above by Dr. Kassner, NMD; Health Natura, LLC; or Hei Long Jiang University of TCM.