FIGHTING RECURRENCE WITH POSTOP SCANNING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

8/6/2024- Dr. Robert Bard (Bard Diagnostic Imaging) and Cheri Ambrose (President of the MBCGA / Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance) officially launched the RECURRENCE DETECTION SCANS program- a life-saving diagnostic program in support of recurrence prevention.  

Program developer Dr. Lennard Goetze spearheaded this plan in 2019 during the launch of the "FIGHT RECURRENCE" educational program with the NY Cancer Resource Alliance. Under a collaboration with the AngioInstitute, Dr. Goetze aligned with national breast cancer organizations who adopted the Fight Recurrence campaign.  In the summer of 2024, a partnership with Ms. Ambrose was officially forged with a clinical blueprint for a postop diagnostic scanning program to monitor possibilities of cancer recurrence. "Getting checked for breast cancer has been an uphill battle for anyone- but it's equally important to not get complacent after surgery... saying 'cancer free' is an ideal that does not apply to everyone." 

Since the inception of his practice in 1972, Dr. Bard has been a staunch supporter of the use of the 3D Doppler Ultrasound to provide safe and quantitative scans of postop cancer cases. "Due to a significant number of cancer recurrence cases (estimated 40%) either before or after the 5 year 'cancer free' mark, we established a comprehensive and personalized diagnostic strategy for tracking potential RECURRENCE. We also wanted to send a message to maintain proactive vigilance after surgery."

One of the recognized voices for Male Breast Cancer awareness was Mark Futterweit, whose interview in the 2019 WBAB episode "Men DO Get Breast Cancer!" emphasized that he got breast cancer TWICE. This became the launch pad for the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance and for Cheri Ambrose to be one of the first organizational partners to go national with Dr. Bard's message about proactive monitoring. 

Nancy Novack, founder of  NancysList.org, a major online cancer resource is a supportive backer of both Dr. Bard's cancer imaging practice and the MBCGA. She is an ovarian cancer survivor as well as a primary voice for the "Fight Recurrence" project. "Living with cancer is about ADVOCACY and AWARENESS ... and  maintaining regular checkups, both before treatment and after. We must be informed and wisely active regarding the tools of recurrence detection and survivorship."

Talks with the American Breast Cancer Foundation and other national cancer organizations are underway to join the FIGHT RECURRENCE educational campaign in underserved communities.  AngioInstitute outreach coordinator and research director Dr. Noelle Cutter says “In the cancer world, we see recurrence to be so prevalent and often arises with a vengeance – this detection program needs to be a default solution after every cancer procedure… I echo Dr. Bard who instills continued monitoring as a preventive measure!” 

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RECURRENCE PREVENTION FROM A 3-TIME CANCER SURVIVOR: VANESSA SILVA

My name is Vanessa Silva. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 after my father was first diagnosed with breast cancer where he was identified as BRCA2 positive.   I found out in a very roundabout way. I only went for a check-up because my doctor wanted to be proactive, and she just wanted to confirm that I was healthy.  More importantly, she wanted to check to see that I wasn't carrying the gene. But during the mammogram, they told me to go upstairs to see my doctor.  Right then and there I knew they were going to tell me I had cancer. I spoke to my doctor and she confirmed it.

I can remember crying- then saying, "Okay, you need to get yourself together. There's options. They said it was at stage zero. It's not a death sentence. We're going to do what we have to do... but you're probably going to be BRCA2 positive, as well."  The battle for me started with chemotherapy- but not radiation. In a matter of weeks, they realized the cancer was more aggressive than they thought, and it wasn't at stage zero after all because it already had gone to the lymph nodes.

RECURRENCE: PART 1

During the treatment process, I pushed to do my part and changed the way I lived starting with the way I ate. I exercised, I stopped eating meat and I did everything by the book ... and sure enough, I was told I was cancer free!.  So after five years, I felt it was safe to go back to old habits and eat the things I missed the most – including meats. I was still working out, but admittedly, junk food managed to creep its way into my system.

My cancer came back after roughly eight years. 

One day, while taking a shower, I decided to check and feel for any lumps- just to make sure everything's okay.  Surprisingly, I felt a lump. It was small but experience says to keep an eye on it.  By September, it grew to the size of a pea and it was getting bigger.  My doctor elected a sonogram then an MRI just to confirm that my cancer came back.

This time, I was angry, because I felt like I did everything I needed to do. I did the chemo. I honestly didn't believe my eating would have brought my cancer back.  They recommended four treatments of chemo, but this time it was stronger. For the first time, I had to take Taxotere, and then, this time, I had to do the AC.

I looked at my husband and said, "This is a joke. I feel like I'm being punked… we're going to do this again!" I started the first chemo treatment and became really, really sick. I was hospitalized for a week. I could not tolerate the chemo's side effects; it was way too strong. And I told them, "What are my options, because I can't do four treatments with the way I was feeling."  It really hit my body hard- so they redirected me to 6 weeks of radiation treatments.

So again, I stopped eating meat, stopped sugar, went back to the juicing, I did my daily routine of walking (I live by Central Park, so I would walk the reservoir).  I was religious with my health especially during and even after I was done with the treatments.

But a year later, I kept up with my self exams to make sure there were no lumps, and then ended up finding another one - this time on the right side! Very small again, underneath my breast - and just like the last one, it started to grow.

For the third time, the cancer had come back.

Once again, I underwent surgery to remove the cancer. It did not go to the lymph nodes, so they didn't recommend chemo this time around, but I had to do radiation again for six weeks. This was my reality. I had cancer in 2007- then again in 2014, and then the cancer came back in 2016.

What was confusing to me was that this time, I was so diligent about prevention- not having any meat, and constant juicing and exercising.  I feel as if my body produces cancer cells much faster than a regular person. I just have to be more vigilant with checking myself.

I try to make sure that I'm stress-free, that I don't put myself in situations that would make my immune system just crash.  My doctor and I are both very diligent about checkups and often do sonograms at the slightest concern. I see my breast surgeon every six months. And now, she's finally pushed it to a year, so I'm so happy with that.

FOOD 101: GOING 'CLEAN' AND ORGANIC

I think, meat plays a huge part in all of this because of the hormones that are being injected into them.  I do my best to buy products that say Non-Hormones, No Antibiotics, etc., however, how much of that is true.  I was convinced that I needed to stop eating meats all together and to stop putting all of these processed products into my body and start eating a much healthier diet.

Eventually, I would like to become a vegan, but I know there's so many things that I really enjoy eating, like eggs and cheese. But slowly, I've been pulling away from eating eggs. It's been a year since the last time I’ve eaten eggs, but cheese is a hard one to quit. I'm just trying to eat a more "clean" foods-- a lot more vegetables, a lot more fruits, and making sure that I wash them, and they're organic.

Organic and gluten-free was the way to go for me! I don't drink dairy milk anymore only almond milk. I'm really trying NOT to introduce the bad stuff to my children. Two of them are already grown, I really try to give my youngest one ZERO red meat except maybe once a month.  Sometimes, it's turkey or chicken, but even that, we've really pulled away from. I try not to be as restrictive with them because they're young, and they should make their own decisions later, however, I want them to be knowledgeable of what they put into their bodies.  Zero sugar is hard to do but we try to stay away from candy, donuts and pastries.

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PROSTATE CANCER IMAGING 101 + ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE- with Jim Hunt (feat. Dr. R. Bard)

 

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States. It is widely recorded that the PSA test may give false positive results, whereby the PSA level may show elevated readings, but no cancer is actually present. False positive PSA tests have shown that out of all biopsies from elevated PSA readings, only 25% of the patients are found to have actual prostate cancer.  

Transrectal Ultrasound or TRUS is a guided biopsy and is one of the most frequently used guidance modalities for diagnosing prostate cancer. Although the procedure is performed in a systematic way, it does not function as direct visualization of suspicious lesions. MRI is another widespread technique to detecting prostate cancer noninvasively and is being increasingly used to guide targeted prostate biopsies. Multiparametric, MRI with T2W diffusion, or DWI and Dynamic contrast enhanced or DCE sequences is now the established approach to prostate MRI. This technique allows for improved detection, characterization, and staging of focal prostate cancer. Several new approaches are available to directly visualizing prostate cancer; Doppler ultrasound using elastography is one that is currently under development. In order to improve prostate cancer biopsy, accuracy of ultrasound elastography or UE can reveal stiff lesions that are not visible on traditional TRUS. The main methods for the UE diagnosis of prostate cancer include transrectal, real-time tissue elastography, and Shearawave elastography. [Courtesy of Dr. R. Bard / AIUM -UltraCon- download presentation on Prostate Imaging 2024]

Part 1: INTERVIEW WITH JIM HUNT

(Prostate Cancer Survivor & "Get Checked Now! Advocate) 

Courtesy of . Dr. R. Bard / AIUM (UltraCon)

I felt it was better to do something sooner than later and not wait till it got too bad. After doing the six years of the active surveillance, when they told me that the cancer spots did grow a little and there possibly could have been a fourth one, that's when my wife and I decided to discuss it consider treatment. Now I caught it right away and it had not gotten too big. I was able to do only five doses of the proton therapy.

 Over the years I've had conversations about someone who passed away of prostate cancer. When I hear about dramatic endings like “It went to his brain or it went to his lungs” – naturally, my having this same cancer leads me to ask, "is this gonna happen to me?"

DOCTOR-PHOBIA AND OTHER RESISTANCE ISSUES
Overall, I have never been a “doctor person”.  I personally have had trust issues with so many of them in the past. I've gone through five urologists through this whole journey and they don't make you feel comfortable.  For me, they're not very informative. They're just telling you what to do and they don't offer options.  I often walk out of their office feeling petrified and I think it's because they want to do surgery on you. That's the only thing I can think of. They seem to want to scare you into doing what they want to do.  Admittedly, I couldn’t help but think that most of them are about business, pushing surgery right away. 

Many of those who have been afflicted with Prostate Cancer in my immediate circle (in my observation) were pretty negligent (letting their cancer go). They weren't regular with checkups and they didn't treat it right away.  It's typical to be afraid of the doctor – and from experience, 'doctor-phobia' is because of the fear of the outcome.  But the question you really want to ask yourself is "do you want to catch it now when it's treatable? Or do you want to wait till it's out of control?" 

Now, unlike surgeons, the kind of doctor I found that was on my side is one that offers a SECOND OPINION.  Going to see Dr. Bard, a radiologist (specializing in advanced ultrasound imaging), became my best bet.  Getting second opinion scans with 3D Ultrasound became part of my ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE and this was what I felt I needed to keep me from worrying.  

EPILOGUE:
Dr. Robert L. Bard on ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE
Prostate cancer is extraordinarily common as you grow older. So the question is 'how deadly is it?' But a lot of it is low grade cancer. The body fights it off and the body is strong. It counteracts it. 

ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE: We actually have the technologies now that shows what it is, where it is and how aggressive it is.  In Jim's case, active surveillance allowed us to see there was something abnormal, but it was low grade. So he had time to look around and see what he wanted to do and decide on which one was the best for him at this time in his lifespan.

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INSIDE GENETIC PREDISPOSITION

PART 1: MUTAGEN HEREDITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CANCER EXPOSURES

By: Lennard M. Gettz, Ed.D  /  Edited by: Roberta Kline, MD

First responders of every branch (police, firefighters, paramedics), as well as construction cleanup contractors, were exposed to the many toxic hazards around the World Trade Center (WTC) as a result of the events on 9/11/2001.  For the more than 91,000 individuals involved in this massive response and cleanup effort [1], exposure to the toxicants from dust, smoke, and incendiary chemicals has led to concerns for cancer, diseases, and other health injuries post-exposure.  The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act enacted the World Trade Center Health Program, a federal commitment to offer comprehensive care for 9/11-related conditions. [2]

Numerous environmental contaminants have been shown to have potential carcinogenic (cancer-causing) consequences. [3] Events such as 9/11 are just some of the scenarios that have alerted government agencies, the medical community, and individuals to study the types of common cancers from each scenario.  These exposures also bring new (and heightened) concerns for gene mutations that may be inherited or passed down to the next generations of those directly impacted.

"Learning about how cancer and other illnesses work... I would hate to contract this on the job and give this to my kids", states FDNY Ret. FF Sal Banchitta- 9/11 responder. "Firefighters get a lot of training and gear to protect us from exposure- but let's face it... part of the risk of the job is that there IS no 100% guarantee- ever!  Looking back on all this, from the local house fires of burning plastics and PVC's to the many chemicals and airborne poisons in ground zero-- exposure came from anywhere.  You can only hope that you're not someone who's predisposed, but you never know." 

According to the NCI (National Cancer Institute), up to 10% of all cancers may be caused by inherited genetic changes. Cancer itself (or genetic changes in tumor cells) cannot be inherited by children of cancer patients but a genetic change or mutation that increases the risk of cancer can be passed down (inherited) if it is present in a parent's egg or sperm cells. It is for this reason why cancer may sometimes appear to run in families.  [4]

WTC-RELATED CANCERS

There are now more than 15 cancers specifically associated with exposure to the WTC toxins, with prostate and breast cancer being among the top 3. [5]. Not only do survivors have higher rates of these cancers, but they are often more aggressive. Recent research has demonstrated that DNA mutations and epigenetic changes due to toxin exposures may play a role. [6, 7, 8] 

PART 2: TODAY'S GENETICS

In an exclusive interview about the science of gene expression, genomic specialist Dr. Roberta Kline, professor at the University of Western States, offered clarity on the fundamentals of the human blueprint: what DNA is, what it does, the impact of alterations to DNA on health, and how this is influenced by environmental exposures. 

Genes are specific regions of DNA that contain the code for all of the proteins that run our biology. Gene expression is the ultimate result of this complex process, and gene expression research has greatly accelerated the study of human biology and improved the practice of medicine. Up until the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, much of the focus had been on studying rare mutations linked to specific inherited diseases and cancers. We now know that these alterations of the DNA code are not the only ways people can be predisposed. 

The most common types of changes in DNA are called SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms), and we each have millions of these. These SNPs can alter our biochemistry and biology, but they typically have a much smaller effect individually than mutations. However, the additive effect of multiple SNPs can create significant predispositions to (or protection from) most diseases, including cancer. 

The latest gene expression research has added a third layer called epigenetics. Epigenetic changes don’t affect the DNA or genetic code itself. Rather, they respond to environmental cues to control when genes are turned on or off. Therefore, epigenetic changes can be easily modified throughout a person’s lifetime.

These processes all work together, and all of them can be inherited. Depending on diet, lifestyle, exercise, stress, medications, and environmental exposures, their impact can be increased or decreased. For example, someone with mutations, SNPs, or epigenetic changes that impair their ability to detoxify environmental chemicals can have a higher risk of DNA damage that can lead to disease or cancer. Diet and lifestyle strategies can counteract some of this risk - or can make it worse. This can help explain why not everyone exposed to the same toxins is affected in the same way, and why the same dietary and lifestyle factors can affect people’s health differently.

GENETIC PREDISPOSITION TESTING

With the existence of cancers in the family, physicians may recommend genetic testing.  Inherited mutations account for approximately 10% of all cancers, and these tend to be more aggressive and occur at an earlier age. [8] Genetic mutations have been identified for certain forms of pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, or breast or ovarian cancer.  These tests for cancers such as Breast, Ovarian, and Pancreatic are known to target pathogenic/ly pathogenic (P/LP) variants associated with increased risk (including BRCA1, BRCA2, CDH1, PALB2, PTEN, and TP53, and recommended approaches to genetic counseling/testing and care strategies in individuals with these P/LP variants. [10, 11]

Genetic testing supports proactive prevention initiatives and active surveillance for these specific cancers that continue to prevail. Gene SNP testing can further support personalized prevention and screening strategies. While epigenetics is emerging as another tool in efforts to identify predispositions and personalize strategies, it is still more informative than prognostic at this time.

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PART 3: "BOTH MY PARENTS HAD CANCER... I NEED TO TEST!

Samantha Hunt, 24 is a young cancer awareness advocate due mostly to the upbringing of two cancer survivors who are outspoken about environmental cancers and proactive testing ("Get Checked NOW!" program).  She is in a graduate program for social work and grew up in a household in support of prevention and early detection.

Since she was 9 years old, Samantha took on personal studies on breast cancer when she watched her mother (Jennifer) undergo a bilateral mastectomy for early-stage breast cancer.  Samantha's father was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, and her maternal aunt also had breast cancer. By her late teens into her college years, Samantha was convinced that she needed to have early screening, which is when she discovered she had dense breast tissue- a condition that is present in over half of women in the U.S.  [12]

Though currently testing negative for cancer, Samantha continues to undergo early detection through gene testing, ultrasound screening and maintains a significantly strict lifestyle of prevention (eating healthy/organic foods, no sugar, exercise, organic foods etc).  Early in life, she learned the value of staying proactive and getting a second opinion- never resting on reassuring words from physicians.  "Early on, my gyno didn't express any real sense of urgency about me getting an ultrasound test but gave me the referral just to make me happy...", stated Ms. Hunt.  "Even today (and sometimes even in the past with other breast exams), I often feel like they do it so quickly and carelessly, and I feel stressed out after...  I'm not convinced that I'm getting a proper examination!"

Samantha has received a total of 4 biopsies due to the "abnormally dense" breast tissue- a concern that scientists are now linking to breast cancer. [13] At an early age, Samantha took on a significant leadership role in her health to approve the biopsies despite the risk and concerns from her parents. "After my first sono, they found me to be 'very lumpy' and called on me to get a biopsy.  None of us were excited about this but if I was going to get any peace of mind, I made a decision to go for it and I'm glad I did. Honestly think I'd be more anxious knowing there's something that a doctor recommended that I should get a biopsy on!"

References:

1) https://www.nyc.gov/site/911health/enrollees/rescue-recovery-workers.page

2) The Toll of Heroism: Increased Cancer Incidence Among 9/11 Responders 

September 9, 2022 by Calley Jones, PhD  https://www.aacr.org/blog/2022/09/09/the-toll-of-heroism-increased-cancer-incidence-among-9-11-responders/

3) Tuminello S, Nguyen E, Durmus N, et al. World Trade Center Exposure, DNA Methylation Changes, and Cancer: A Review of Current Evidence. Epigenomes. 2023; 7(4):31. https://doi.org/10.3390/epigenomes7040031

4) https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics

5) https://www.cdc.gov/wtc/ataglance.html#top15Cancers 

6) Yu, H., Tuminello, S., Alpert, et al/ (2022) Global DNA methylation of WTC prostate cancer tissues show signature differences compared to non-exposed cases. Carcinogenesis, 43(6), 528-537. https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/bgac025

7) Tuminello S, Zhang Y, Yang L, et al. Global DNA Methylation Profiles in Peripheral Blood of WTC-Exposed Community Members with Breast Cancer. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Apr 22;19(9):5104. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19095104. 

8) Jasra, S., Giricz, O., Pradhan, K., et al (2022). High burden of clonal hematopoiesis in first responders exposed to the World Trade Center disaster. Nature Medicine, 28(3), 468-471. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-01708-3

9) https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/genetic-testing-fact-sheet

10) Daly MB, Pal T, Maxwell KN, et al. NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast, Ovarian, and Pancreatic, Version 2.2024. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2023; 21(10):1000–1010. doi: 10.6004/jnccn.2023.0051. 

11) Garber J, Offit K. Hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2005; 23(2):276–292. 

12) https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/dense-breasts.htm

13) Lester, S. P., Kaur, A. S., & Vegunta, S. (2022). Association Between Lifestyle Changes, Mammographic Breast Density, and Breast Cancer. The Oncologist, 27(7), 548-554. https://doi.org/10.1093/oncolo/oyac084

WHAT IS PEMF?

 NON-INVASIVE ELECTROMAGNETIC THERAPIES (Part 1) 

A report by: Jessica Connell, LCSW / Edited by the Pain Healers Alliance Editorial team

In 2015, Dr. Oz aired a program about an "invisible treatment" for chronic pain designed to "change the practice of medicine"- casting a wave of commercial attention to the patient community desperate for pain relief- and hope for the reversal of pain-related ailments. Pulsed Elecromagnetic Field Thereapy or PEMF is the induction of electromagnetic fields to promote the synthesis of cellular, muscular and skeletal matrix [1].  

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) provide a non-invasive, safe, and easy method to treat and rehabilitate a growing list of health issues. The therapeutic theory behind this innovation is designed to affect the body at the extracellular level- imposing the ability to transduce or separate mechanical charge to electrical energy.  This has been reported to affect the alignment and physical properties of tissues & cell nutrition toward the healing process.[2]  Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and magnetic therapy presents a major increase in research attention in the past decade for its ability to directly treat the site of injury. [3]

Medical historians and publishers often attribute the scientific roots of electrical transduction therapy to NIKOLA TESLA (1856-1943) for his pioneer work in advanced electromagnetic field frequency. They align the success of non-invasive treatment innovations including the Pulsed Elecromagnetic Field Thereapy (PEMF) and the Transcranial Magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the philosophy of implementing electgromagnetic fields to stimulate cells.  It is this same paradigm in patient care technology that enforces the very backbone of holistic and non-surgical ("no more scalpel") movement.

Conventional uses of magnetic therapy is widely found in the integrative and alternative (or wellness) communities. Some may recognize this science under other names including:

 Wave Therapy                   Biofeedback                 Bio-resonance

 Magnetic Therapy             Electrostimulation       Microcurrent Therapy

These devices vary in size & designs but these protocols are similar in application.  The science employs a magnetic field for rehabilitation to treat and/or prevent diseases.

CLEARED FOR USES

In 1979, The Food and Drug Administration 1979 approved PEMF Therapy for the healing of non-union fractures [4]. Electrical stimulation of the spine (as part of spinal fusion procedures) for failed fusions and congenital pseudarthroses. In October 2008 the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of PEMF therapy for treatment of major depressive disorder in PD patients who failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from very high dosages of antidepressant medications [5].  

Clinical research has also been highly dedicated towards mental health. In 2006, the FDA approved PEMF Therapy for treatment of depression and anxiety. [7-9] Further reports have presented an est. 30% of depression cases have a resistance to antidepressant drugs, where Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and the application of Transcranially applied Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (T-PEMF) has shown positive results in combination with antidepressants in patients with treatment-resistant depression[10].

In 2019 the wearable RecoveryRx PEMF Device was FDA Cleared for "Adjunctive treatment of postoperative pain".  This technology achived market clearance for its drug-free (non-opiod) PostOp effects. Andrew Whelan, President, expressed confidence in seizing the market opportunity: “We are delighted that the FDA has recognized the potential of RecoveryRx in transforming postoperative pain care. RecoveryRx, with its high degree of safety, excellent clinical evidence of effectiveness and exceptional cost-benefit, will become the standard of care.” [11-12]

PEMF: HISTORY & EXPANSION OF MODERN TARGET ISSUES

Claims of electricity induction in aiding bone repair has been reported as far back as the mid 1800's, but it wasn't until the mid-1950's to the '70's that the scientific community significantly advanced its research toward the treatment of delated fractures in Western Europe and the US. Recent reviews have shown benefits of PEMF to include: neurological disorders, vascular disease, lung disorders, GI (gastrointenstinal) disease, rheumatic disease, dermatological issues, inflammation, tumors and immunological issues for both humans and animals.[14] Clinical research studies have reported benefits for a host of specific issues including: musculoskeletal(MSK) Pain [15], bacteria and parasites, OstheoArthritis, mental health disorders (Depression), Multiple Sclerosis[16-17], Cancer[18] and Alzheimer's Disease [19].  

TMS and PEMF USE IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common progressive nervous system disorders that affects movement.  It is a neurodegenerative disorder second only to Alzheimer’s disease, accompanied by the impairment of the cortico-subcortical excitation and inhibition systems, hence belonging to the involuntary movement diseases. In the first PD patients treated with high-frequency TMS in 1993, motor symptoms, tremor, rigidity and akinesia improved significantly allowing to decrease the administration of l-dopa by a mean of 55% [20].

TMS FOR DEPRESSION: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation October 4, 2021- TMS, or transcranial magnetic stimulation, is the use of magnets external to the body to activate tissue inside the body (so you're not having to open the patient up).  Based on Faraday’s Law, a magnetic field produced outside of a patient’s head can permeate non-invasively through a patient’s head and induce an electric field that has the capacity to activate neurons in the brain. We induce current at a distance inside the brain and cause the neurons to fire where we induce that current.  This means that where we depolarize, we cause the brains neurons to fire.  TMS artificially stimulates the brain and causes the neurons to fire.  Navigation technology allows us to see precisely where in the brain where we are stimulating. (see complete article)

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The AOPP: Explaining How PEMF Works

9/25/2021:  An exploratory review* of the PEMF science is under discussion between Dr. Robert Bard and THE AOPP FOUNDATION (Association of PEMF Professionals) which aims to provide clarity on the science behind its 'invisible healing' concept.  AOPP aligned with the Integrative Pain Healers Alliance (Dr. Bard's wellness network) and saw the need for public clarity in how PEMF works, what actual uses they are cleared for as well as the importance of public guidance on the market.

Dr. Jerry Dreesen, President of the AOPP and certified chiropractor by trade is an avid user of this therapeutic technology for his patients on a variety of disorders.  "So PEMF did start out on the animal side... it was originally used for seed germination -and moved over to the animal side.  When they eventually started working with humans, evidence of creating better blood flow as part of the body's detoxification. We're also finding that with PEMF is that the body is utilizing medication even better -  so it's absorbing it and using it more versus some people can be getting a reaction to better absorption of their medications."

Dr. Dreesen further explains the physiological and biological reactions to electromagnetic science and its research - going as far back as the Krebs cycle (otherwise known as The citric acid cycle (CAC) – or  the TCA cycle (tricarboxylic acid cycle)- which we all had to learn. During that process. one of the by products is nitric oxide and then the other one is of course, taking ADP and attaching the phosphate to it and making ATP-- creating the "fuel" for the body.  PEMF sparking this process is great especially for sports where it induces renewed energy to fatigued muscles. For the same reasons why it works really well on animals, the same goes for humans after a workout as it quickly revitalizes the target area by increasing absorption of oxygen and energy levels. 

Dr. Dreesen shares the rehabilitative theories and applications for MSK injuries- including sprains, strains, joint issues, arthritis pain and other chronic inflammation. He describes its performance on a cellular level and controlling inflammation versus "just telling the brain that there's no pain there at all... it's not masking pain, it's physically going in and eliminating the creation of inflammation. As a by-product of going in and oxygenating tissue, creating stem cells, eliminating causing the cellular walls to get rid of product and bringing in nutrients, it rebuilds and refreshes the joints."   He furthers, "for people who have had past injuries in their joints and for whatever reason, never healed properly, PEMF can offer significant change- not only in reducing inflammation, but potentially preventing it from coming back!" 

MEETING DEVELOPERS

Tech critic and test-driver Dr. Robert Bard met with a short list of  AOPP members including Patrick Ziemer, development facilitator and CTO of Aura Wellness PEMF (Aurawell.com) to discuss the growing number of health issues and disorders that neuromagnetic science is slated to manage, treat and even resolve.  As part of his global crusade to support non-invasive medicine, Dr. Bard recognizes the advancing benefits of PEMF throughout the wellness community and is evaluating all devices including the AuraPulse™ technology. 

Mr. Ziemer is a consumer advocate for the AOPP and publishes educational posts about the benefits and his evidence of the PEMF technology to align with his critical thoughts on the industry.  From our interview, he shares his expansive research on the science, allotting for the limited number of actual models that are FDA cleared, approved or registered.   As part of his advocacy, Mr. Ziemer describes the confusion about neuromagnetic therapy to come from companies who presents “rogue claims” about their specific devices.  Many lower-end companies tend to lack the proper extensive safety testing of their devices and espouse claims “from studies done by others that are FDA approved.  For example, companies will make claims that their devices will heal broken bones.  "PEMF has been known to do this, but we can't legally say that about OUR specific device without doing the studies (ourselves) from a formal FDA 510K clearance process … and all companies should take the same responsibility about their work”.  

Mr. Ziemer’s history with PEMF started around 2013, co-developing and promoting the therapeutic use high-voltage PEMF for the equestrian society.  His device appealed greatly to the veterinary community for its ability to address the many health concerns of our four legged friends who rarely complain.  Therapeutically, his PEMF has shown to improve horses’ circulation, increasing blood oxygen, lymphatic stimulation, relaxing muscle spasms, relieving tension, enhancing muscle tone, and increasing the range of motion in high performance horses.  These same health issues expanded his popularity to treat a growing range of patient breeds including cattle, livestock and dogs across the country.

In 2020, Mr. Ziemer’s PEMF officially made its way to human patients at the launch of Aura Wellness- carrying a professional grade, high voltage PEMF device. Applying much of his field expertise with animals, Mr. Ziemer achieved tremendous R&D advantage to apply to his human prototype. His AuraPulse™ model is completely programmable with adjustable intensity levels, digital timers, plug-and-play applicators, and customized session programs.   Dr. Bard is reviewing* all PEMF devices like the AuraPulse™ for its effects and claims for improved wellness.

"Our first test subject was 4 legged and suffered from arthritis. While on the magnetic coil, the poodle visibly became calmer, eventually going to sleep inside the treatment ring. The dog’s handler saw the improvement in the gait and asked to have her shoulder treated. After a 10 minute session, our 2 legged patient reported mild improvement on a chronic rotator cuff disorder and great improvement 12 hours later." 

*It is to be noted that beta testing and clinical evaluation reviews of all medical devices are restricted to their intended uses according to their designated FDA clearances. 

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CONTRIBUTORS

JESSICA CONNELL-GLYNN, LCSW, CPC, CEC is a columnist for Prevention101 newsletter. She often reports on topics concerning mental health, neurological disorders and medical innovations that pertain to 'modern wellness'.   As a therapist and mental health coach, Jessica's primary work involves providing direct support in managing symptoms of personal anxiety and panic. Jessica is also currently leading an interdisciplinary research project with a team of mental health and professionals in neurology to review the current care standards and collaborate on new protocols that target, assess and diagnose psychological disorders.(https://cmpcnyc.com/)

Dr. JERRY DREESSEN is both Trauma Team Qualified and Hospital Qualified treating chiropractor in Mountlake Terrace, WA. He is the Executive Director for the Association of PEMF Professionals- the largest professional PEMF organization in the United States. AOPP attracts the most principled and accomplished PEMF user- setting standards by providing certification for all PEMF users, as well as Continuing Education (CEU's) for all members to maintain best practices and techniques. (www.backtoaction.com)

SPECIAL THANKS
The editors of this spotlight proudly gives thanks to Ms. Suzanne Wheeler for her generosity in sharing her story and her resources with us.  Additional thanks to Dr. Jerry Dreessen of the AOPP (Association of PEMF Professionals) and Pat Ziemer of Magnawave Inc. and Aura Wellness PEMF for coordinating our interviews, shared countless materials and conducted unending support to help our educational program bring new light to PEMF technology for chronic disorders and supportive testimonials in alternative therapeutics.   

VIEWPOINTS from the Healthcare Community Our bodies are made up of 30 to 40 trillion cells at any given point during our lifetime. Each cell is a dynamic electro chemical entity that work together for the better of the whole. This is truly an amazing process. Medicine has been oriented toward rescue type interventions of dysfunction and disease. If there is pathology present;” take it out”. Or use a drug to turn on or turn off the metabolic machinery of specific cells. That is the majority of the mindset of medicine. It is refreshing to learn about other forward thinking modalities and innovations in the healthcare field. These  Innovations like pulsed electromagnetic field therapy(PEMF) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are technologies that utilize non-invasive electromagnetic stimulation of cellular metabolic processes within various places in our body.  The endgame of the technologies is for diagnostic information and therapeutic intervention of systemic disease.  PEMF and TMS have proven that electromagnetic fields can provide non-invasive methods to diagnose and treat health concerns such as depression, pain, MS, Cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, healing responses, and Overall cardiovascular anomalies. This is so exciting because we can use this technology two recognize early metabolic and possibly genetic changes that could lead to accelerated aging disease and death. Also, we can use this technology as an intervention to the changes and correct the path of health. Both of these technologies have shown efficacy ( FDA approval) and promise ( more research is being done). There is no question that LESS IS MORE! That is if we recognize pathological conditions early and can correct them with little or no pharmacological or surgical intervention; “everybody wins!”   - By Randall Weisel DDS,MPS  (www.laserhygienics.com)

REFERENCES

1) Ehnert, Sabrina; Schröter, Steffen; Aspera-Werz, Romina H.; Eisler, Wiebke; Falldorf, Karsten; Ronniger, Michael; Nussler, Andreas K. (December 2019). "Translational Insights into Extremely Low Frequency Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-PEMFs) for Bone Regeneration after Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery". Journal of Clinical Medicine. 8 (12): 2028. doi:10.3390/jcm8122028. PMC 6947624. PMID 31756999.

2) ACCELERATION OF FRACTURE REPAIR BY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS. A SURGICALLY NONINVASIVE METHOD: First published: October 1974 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1974.tb26794.x

3) Electromagnetic Field Therapy: A Rehabilitative Perspective in the Management of Musculoskeletal Pain – A Systematic Review J Pain Res. 2020; 13: 1385–1400. Published online 2020 Jun 12. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S231778  PMCID: PMC7297361 PMID: 32606905 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7297361/

4) Electrical stimulation of the spine as an adjunct to spinal fusion procedures". Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Pulsed electromagnetic field systems with FDA PMA include the EBI Bone Healing System from Electrobiology, Inc., which was first approved in 1979 and indicated for nonunions, failed fusions, and congenital pseudarthroses; and the Cervical-Stim from Orthofix, which was approved in 2004 as an adjunct to cervical fusion surgery in patients at high risk for non-fusion. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402122818/http://www.bcbsms.com/index.php/index.php?id=200&action=viewPolicy&path=%2Fpolicy%2Femed%2FElectrical+Stimulation+of+the+Spine+as+an+Adjunct+to+Spinal+Fusion+Procedures.html&source=emed

5) Mechanisms and therapeutic applications of electromagnetic therapy in Parkinson’s disease (BMC/SPRINGER) Behavioral and Brain Functions-

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4562205/#CR125

6) Clinical significance of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the treatment of pharmacoresistant depression: synthesis of recent data.

Demitrack MA, Thase ME  Psychopharmacol Bull. 2009; 42(2):5-38. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19629020/

7) Pulsed Electro Magnetic Fields (PEMF) in Depression (PEMF)  https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03556735

8) Demitrack MA, Thase ME. Clinical significance of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the treatment of pharmacoresistant depression: synthesis of recent data. Psychopharmacol Bull. 2009;42(2):5–38 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19629020/

9) Effectiveness of transcranial magnetic stimulation in clinical practice post-FDA approval in the United States: results observed with the first 100 consecutive cases of depression at an academic medical center- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22579164/

10) Biological Psychiatry (Journal) /ARCHIVAL REPORT| VOLUME 68, ISSUE 2, P163-169, JULY 15, 2010 Transcranial Low Voltage Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression  https://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(10)00162-9/fulltext

11) US FDA- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf19/K190251.pdf

12) Press Release/BioElectronics Announces FDA Market Clearance for Its Non-Opioid Postoperative Pain Therapy   https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2019/07/01/1876675/0/en/BioElectronics-Announces-FDA-Market-Clearance-for-Its-Non-Opioid-Postoperative-Pain-Therapy.html

13) 12/10/2009 -FDA clears Nexstim´s Navigated Brain Stimulation for non-invasive cortical mapping prior to neurosurgery (Nexstim Press release)

https://nexstim.com/news-and-events/news/press-release/news/fda-clears-nexstims-navigated-brain-stimulation-for-non-invasive-cortical-mapping-prior-to-neurosur/

14)  Jerabeck, J; Pawluk, W (1998). Magnetic therapy in eastern Europe : a review of 30 years of research. W. Pawluk. ISBN 0-9664227-0-8.

15) Thomas AW, Graham K, Prato FS, McKay J, Forster PM, Moulin DE, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial using a low-frequency magnetic field in the treatment of musculoskeletal chronic pain. Pain Res Manage J Can Pain Soc (journal de la societe canadienne pour le traitement de la douleur) 2007;12(4):249–258 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2670735/

16)  Lappin MS, Lawrie FW, Richards TL, Kramer ED. Effects of a pulsed electromagnetic therapy on multiple sclerosis fatigue and quality of life: a double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Altern Ther Health Med. 2003;9(4):38–48. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12868251/

17) Richards TL, Lappin MS, Acosta-Urquidi J, Kraft GH, Heide AC, Lawrie FW, et al. Double-blind study of pulsing magnetic field effects on multiple sclerosis. J Altern Complement Med. 1997;3(1):21–29. doi: 10.1089/acm.1997.3.21. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9395691/

18) Barbault A, Costa FP, Bottger B, Munden RF, Bomholt F, Kuster N, et al. Amplitude-modulated electromagnetic fields for the treatment of cancer: discovery of tumor-specific frequencies and assessment of a novel therapeutic approach. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2009;28:51. doi: 10.1186/1756-9966-28-51

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2672058/

19) Arendash GW, Sanchez-Ramos J, Mori T, Mamcarz M, Lin X, Runfeldt M, et al. Electromagnetic field treatment protects against and reverses cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease mice. J Alzheimers Dis. 2010;19(1):191–210. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20061638/

20) Behav Brain Funct. 2015; 11: 26. Published online 2015 Sep 7. doi: 10.1186/s12993-015-0070-z

PMCID: PMC4562205  PMID: 26347217  Mechanisms and therapeutic applications of electromagnetic therapy in Parkinson’s disease Maria Vadalà, Annamaria Vallelunga, Lucia Palmieri, Beniamino Palmieri, Julio Cesar Morales-Medina, and Tommaso Iannitti corresponding author https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4562205/

21) The Krebs Cycle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citric_acid_cycle

PHOTO CREDITS

* Nikola Tesla in or around 1890, when the inventor was in his mid-30s. | Photo is in the public domain. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress. https://www.energy.gov/articles/top-11-things-you-didnt-know-about-nikola-tesla

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ADDICTION 2023- SMOKING CESSATION

Introduction: 

If it is to be human to recognize our weaknesses and to allow ourselves to indulge (for but a short while) in pleasures, releases and escapes, ADDICTION is the neuropsychological disorder that may result in the overuse and abuse of any specific substance.  Addiction is characterized as a disease that is driven by a persistent and intense urge to engage in compulsive behaviors including psychosocial, neurobiological, a preoccupation with substances or behavior, and continued use despite negative consequences. For many, a profound strategy in addressing addiction is tackling the patient's CRAVINGS.  It is for this that we asked Dr, Leslie Montoya (from Sta. Barbara, CA) to share her experiences and insights about her recent success with smoking cessation with her patients.  Learn about Dr. Valle-Montoya's custom approach to addressing addiction clinically and her non-invasive modalities of choice.

RECOGNIZING BRAIN HEALTH & ADDICTION  By: Dr. Leslie Valle-Montoya

It is well documented that tobacco increases the risk of different cancers such as lung, liver, and colorectal.  According to the National Health Interview Survey data from 2020, 47.1 million adults in the United States reported currently using tobacco products with 79.6 % of those being cigarette smokers [1].  If cigarette smoking continues to be one of the leading causes of preventable disease and deaths, why is cessation not easier to attain?

First, we must recognize the science behind nicotine addiction and its withdrawal effects.  Addiction is recognized to be a brain disease. Overcoming an addiction, whether it’s prescription pain pills, sugar, alcohol, nicotine or anything else, cessation is harder to exercise when the “pathways” or pleasure circuits of the brain have chronically been overstimulated. 

DOPAMINE is a neurotransmitter that is released and made in the brain as a chemical messenger.  It is known to play a central role in the effects of addictive drugs and natural rewards such as food and sex. When the reward system in our brain experiences a stimulation, a pleasurable surge of dopamine is released.  The increased changes in dopamine levels can lead to further neuroplasticity following repeated exposure to drugs of abuse. Neuroscientists discovered that addictive substances such as nicotine and cocaine could promote plasticity in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the brain. 

Withdrawal symptoms as cessation begins - will cause irritability, increased eating, anxiety, sleep disturbances, depression, mood swings, and hedonistic homeostatic dysregulation.  Hedonic dysregulation is a disorder caused by a cycle of spiraling dysfunction of the brain reward systems which is increased by its compulsive use of addictive substances. Thus, neuropsychological behavior with any substance abuse makes cessation almost unattainable. 

 In modern days, there are different approaches to addressing addiction such as smoking cigarettes. Pharmacotherapy and behavioral interventions may be the first line of treatment; although, the time frame to see results may not be fast enough to fight the urge to light up again.

NON-INVASIVE BRAIN STIMULATION TO TARGET SMOKING

In my experience, an effective treatment to address smoking cessation involves non-invasive neurostimulation to modify neural oscillations and change the patterns of addiction and support the psychoemotional state at the same time.  Down to a cellular level, changing the brain wavelengths of cigarette smokers is the start of the transition into cessation.  With the combination of ONDAMED - frequency medicine (pulsed electromagnetic field) and Binaural beats, we can remind the body to self-regulate.  My approach to smoking cessation is a nonpharmacological intervention, neurostimulation, brain entrainment, and lifestyle modifications.  It’s important to support the body, the mind, and the brain during cessation as the process can bring up withdrawal symptoms and unconscious emotions not expected to address. 

ONDAMED is a personalized and non-invasive approach using biofeedback that a medical practitioner uses to determine which frequencies of sound, as well as pulsed electromagnetic fields, cause a response to your autonomic nervous system.  ONDAMED has the ability to deliver specific resonant frequencies to the source of dysfunction.  For smoking cessation, a patient will undergo 8-10 sessions along with water “charging” treatment.  The session will last sixty minutes and must return the following day to maintain the frequency of the treatment session until the last day of protocol.

 

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TEST SUBJECT BECOMES SUCCESS STORY: 

“SMOKE FREE” ONE YEAR LATER

By: IPHA Editorial Team

3/22/2023- In a recent in-depth interview, IPHA-TV presented Dr. Leslie Valle-Montoya (Sta. Barbara, CA) and the framework behind her Smoking Cessation program at the Biomed Life Center. This unique and specialized protocol addresses the core cravings behind “one of the hardest habits and health hazards to quit”.  She is joined by Mr. Howard Binney, (now) former smoker and ex-firefighter/EMT who volunteered to undertake Dr. Valle-Montoya’s rehabilitation and recovery project exactly one year ago today.

In a prior interview, “Dr. Leslie” describes her strategy and the technologies she applied to help address the smoking addiction- by first targeting the smoking urges and cravings. “What makes addiction such a battle to overcome is its habitual ability to recur”, she stated. “The reaction to smoke is muscle memory linked to mental triggers that are linked over time within the parasympathetic nervous system and the fight-or-flight response… to sever that connection is our entry point to removing the addiction from controlling the body and the mind.”

For this disorder, she implements ENERGY THERAPY by using BIOFEEDBACK, PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetism) and a guided meditation device called BRAINTAP®.  “A common advantage to energy therapy is managing ANXIETY. To introduce the BrainTap® device while on… the ONDAMED® session has opened up that possibility that they can be able to manage their anxiety, which is sometimes not easy to do with a counselor or a psychologist.   There are numerous ways to incorporate different methods of ‘biohacking’ your mind and body into your daily routine”.

 “I started working with Howard last year on this protocol about smoking cessation. I continually explored and re-designed a few protocols with different patients and this is my first success story. It was remarkable to see change in a little amount of time. I could say it, the protocol was only for 10 sessions but his progress began to show response after the third day.  This included evidence of his body rejecting the taste of a cigarette and he began to repel the smell of cigarette smoke in the air and on others.

One of the primary tools I used was frequency medicine (Ondamed) with a combination of binaural beats and guided meditation. The protocol also called for charging his DRINKING WATER with electromagnetism- so the patient can continue to receive the same frequencies that have been programmed in the 40 minute session at home.” (To be continued below)

Frequency Medicine: Historically Proven Success in Addressing Smoking Addiction By: Dr. Patrick Porter As the former owner of one of the largest stop smoking franchises, I have firsthand experience with the challenges of quitting smoking and overcoming addiction. Quitting smoking is a complex process that requires a comprehensive approach. Frequency medicine, such as non-invasive brain stimulation, biofeedback, and BrainTap, can be a helpful tool in reducing the stress that comes with transitioning from being a smoker to returning to a natural state of being a non-smoker. Frequency medicine can modify neural oscillations and change patterns of addiction by addressing the underlying psychological factors that drive addiction. By using guided imagery techniques and frequency medicine, individuals can eliminate negative thinking focused on addiction and focus on positive new behaviors. This approach can provide relief from physical cravings and withdrawal symptoms and help individuals build a greater capacity to handle stress as a non-smoker over the following year after stopping. The most successful smoking cessation programs incorporate a combination of behavioral interventions, strong mental processes, and frequency medicine. This approach provides a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. However, it is important to remember that overcoming addiction requires a deep understanding of oneself and a strong willpower to change. While frequency medicine can provide some relief from physical cravings and withdrawal symptoms, addressing the underlying psychological factors that drive addiction is essential for achieving lasting success. Positive strategies for healthy new thinking must be provided for a true permanent change to occur. In conclusion, quitting smoking is a journey that requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to change. Frequency medicine can be a helpful addition to a comprehensive treatment plan, but it is important to address the psychological factors that drive addiction for long-term success. Also see other related articles with Dr. Porter: -  Neuroscience Made Friendly: Meet Dr. Patrick Porter

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Contd. from part 1

REACTION 1: THE DETOXING PHASE

Upon the application of smoking cessation, a major reaction one may find is the physiological response from the DETOX that would occur from this protocol.  “To allow the progression of change toward wellness, we must first remove the chemicals that bind us to the habit and this needs to happen first”, Howard stated.  “I experienced a detox (probably) around the fifth day in between the two weeks where I brought myself to the ER thinking it was something worse.  We discovered dark stool and was given a low-dose medication for a slightly elevated BP. They ended up conducting an endoscopy and colonoscopy but found no issues whatsoever.  As a former EMT, logic dictated that this is a detox in action. Visually, it can be scary if you don’t understand it.”

 

Like so many, Howard Binney attributes the prevalence of his smoking habit to social exposures – having been surrounded by smokers at work in concert security and then a first responder for government installations. Having drinks in bars and social events also linked to smoking.  He began identifying headaches from three to five cigarettes and attempted to quit through the smoking patch, but eventually “it always seemed to come back”. On the job, Howard found much downtime working as a federal fire marshal in military installations where “everybody smoked… it became a habit of sitting around a lot where we used to smoke in the firehouse”.  His impetus to tackle smoking head on was having reached two packs a day during his retirement during the Covid-19 pandemic.  He earmarks having lost his wife and dear friends to cancer- which added inspiration for his targeting his addiction.

 “YOU HAVE TO WANT TO QUIT”

Howard shares his process and the evolution within him. “I think it's very important that people NOT let their minds play games with them and realize that you do have the power. (Dr. Leslie) has the stuff that can do it.  But you have to make that commitment to yourself.  I might still get cancer from it… but I'm giving myself a chance to live longer. If you want to drive that nail in the coffin, then keep smoking. If not, get ahold of somebody that could do this (treatment) for you and go into it with an open mind. You don't need drugs, gum or patches. Get yourself in a good spot and go for it. I think it works… or I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you smoke free one year later!”

WHAT IS “CHARGED” WATER?

With any addiction protocol I facilitate, such as smoking cessation, placing a “charge” (meaning frequency) is as important as the treatment session for addressing the addiction.  The same frequencies I program for a session are a version of what gets delivered to the glass bottle of water I prepare for a patient.

Patients experience a desperate bid to quench their thirst after sessions that can last days.  Therefore, having this added bonus of preparing “charged” water for them to take home is the highlight of their day and night when not in my office.

Besides extreme thirst, patients experience a sudden urge not to smoke by choice and find themselves consciously lighting up a cigarette out of habit to test if the first treatment session works.  Suddenly, a horrific taste of toxins surges the taste buds that force them not to finish the cigarette. What makes it hard to quit so abruptly is no longer the unpleasant taste but changing their habits of smoking. Most patients use it as an escape or break in their day and others have made it a ritual to always smoke while they start their coffee consumption in the morning and their beer in the evening. 

 And this is why just treating something at the physical level is not enough. The subconscious needs help, too.  Why I integrate the use of binaural beats to allow the body to absorb new brain entrainment not allowing to experience before while a brain in plasticity takes over your conscious decision making.

BINAURAL BEATS is a neuro-algorithm that produces brainwave entrainment, the synchronization of brainwaves to a specialized sound with no user effort. When two different tones, separated in frequency by only a few Hertz, one in each ear- the brain perceived a third, unique tone. These beats establish a deep meditative state within 3 minutes of use, in which, a person will fall into theta brainwave length and might fall asleep while listening to a guided meditation. 

Often, what comes out of the first session is a surge of emotions not expected.  Besides feeling a little “tingly” after neurostimulation and extremely thirsty, patients experience gradual loosening of their restraints of self-centeredness.  This experience of relaxation, calm and warmth, is the ‘natural high’ meditation entrains your brain in minutes passively with binaural beats and guided meditation. I expect patients to feel emotions without explanation and I invite them to release them in their safe space which I call the “Energy Room”. 

EPILOGUE: INNOVATIVE SCIENCE

“Years ago, I learned about biofeedback and electromagnetic field therapy. The market was robust with choices, but something called ONDAMED® won me over- largely due to the functional health strategy by design, indicating a heavy focus on a whole-body care. It combined the diagnostic abilities of biofeedback science to "communicate with the body" to monitor conditions and imbalances. Then the intuitive energy healing aspect comes in the form of its PEMF element (pulsed electromagnetic field) to 're-balance' the body or support the body to repair itself painlessly and non-invasively.  Treating patients showed many positive results including tissue stimulation for pain relief in soft tissue injuries and wound healing.”

1.     Cornelius ME, Wang TW, Jamal A, Loretan CG, Neff LJ. Tobacco product use among adults—United States, 2020.  MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022 Mar 18;71(11):397-405. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7111a1. 

 

 

CONTRIBUTOR:

LESLIE VALLE-MONTOYA, MD is the Founder of Biomed Life and the Santa Barbara Longevity Center. After medical school, Dr. Valle focused on managing chronic disease starting with its links to poor nutrition and then introducing them into the world of energy frequencies.  She explores and includes non-invasive modalities such as: frequency therapies (including biofeedback), PEMF, proper detoxification, nutritional guidance and binaural beats as needed. - visit: www.biomedlifesb.com