While stressful situations may be inevitable, the damage and side-effects of stress are not. There is a way to stop stress from affecting your body and mind. Fortunately nature has equipped our bodies with the perfect antidote to stress. It’s called the relaxation response.

Early on, Helicor decided to focus on creating a personal, affordable medical device. Typical medical-grade biofeedback systems cost thousands of dollars and require a person to be attached to a computer. Helicor team chose to create a unit that would be self-contained, portable and had no external wires or leads to attach. It is intended to be used for relaxation, relaxation training, and stress reduction.

After 4 1/2 years of design development, prototyping, testing, programming, and user feedback, the StressEraser was launched at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in August 2005. First customer shipments began in October 2005.

Biofeedback and Heart Rate Variability

The StressEraser provides a daily points-based system that allows each user to tailor the relaxation training to his schedule. The points-based system also allows the therapist to tailor the relaxation training homework to the individual treatment needs of the client.

The StressEraser personal biofeedback device is intended to be used solely for stress reduction, relaxation, and relaxation training. The device has not been clinically tested for the treatment of any psychological or physical medical conditions such as insomnia, hypertension, anxiety disorders, chronic pain, etc. The product is not intended to be used for the treatment or diagnosis of any medical condition.

The Science of the StressEraser — how it works

Your Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) controls functions in the body that normally occur unconsciously, such as heart rate, respiration rate and digestion. This system is responsible for keeping your body in a regulated, balanced state. This balance is created by the constant back and forth nature of the two primary branches of your ANS: the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS).

Your SNS is involved in mobilization responses that enable “fight or flight” behaviors known as the stress response. Your PNS is involved in “rest and renew” behaviors that enable growth and restoration and are known as the relaxation response. Parasympathetic activity is regulated by your vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in your body, extending from the brain stem to the base of the spine and to several organs and your heart. When the vagus nerve activates, the relaxation response is turned on. When the vagus nerve is inactive, the relaxation response is also inactive.

Your “fight or flight” or stress response can become activated by both major and minor stressors. Even states of excitement and emotions such as anger and fear activate the SNS. The primary pacifying nerve in your body, the vagus nerve, mediates the activity of the “rest and renew” or relaxation response. Overall, activation of the PNS promotes calming so you can recuperate from day-to-day stress, keeping the ANS in balance. To know more about SNS and PNS, click here.

Ideally, the SNS and PNS operate in an evenly balanced manner, keeping your body in a state of physiological homeostasis. Although there are exceptions, in general when SNS activity increases, PNS activity decreases. In particular, when SNS activity increases, the activity of the vagus nerve decreases. SNS changes in your body are all extremely important, particularly if you are in a life threatening situation in which you have to fight or escape. When the stressful moment has passed, the PNS response kicks in to relax your body and return it to a balanced state.

Our nervous systems have not yet adapted to the type of ongoing stress we face today. Ongoing minor stresses such as traffic jams, work demands, problems at home, or financial concerns tend to build up. Emotions such as anger, fear and anxiety will cause your SNS to activate. As stress accumulates, your stress response remains active for longer than your body can handle. Your relaxation response, therefore, is less active, which throws your ANS out of balance. Over time, repeated stressors and negative emotions have a cumulative wear and tear on the body that can lead to significant health problems. This is called “allostatic load.” When you are healthy, your nervous system returns to normal functioning after a stressed situation by increasing vagus nerve activity. This helps the system to recover.

When you are faced with stress on a daily basis, however, your stress response fails to shut off in a timely manner. Allostatic load leads to reduced activity of your vagus nerve. As a result, your system becomes hyperactive or begins to burn out. Hyperactive stress responses cause your system to remain in fight-or-flight mode for an extended period of time. Burn-out inhibits both your SNS and PNS from activating. In both cases, your body becomes out of balance, making your system less flexible and less able to effectively adapt to external demands. Over time, allosatic load can cause significant health problems. There is now a large literature on the relationship to stress and disease. According to the American Institute of Stress, “it is hard to think of any disease in which stress cannot play an aggravating role.” In fact, the Institute reports that up to 90% of doctors visits are stress related.

Perhaps the two most important methods of actively triggering your relaxation response are:

1. learning to change your breathing and
2. learning to change your focus. By changing your breathing and your focus, you can increase the vagal influence on your heart—and therefore relax your body.

There is growing literature on the effects of these relaxation exercises on stress-related illnesses and performance. In particular, breathing slowly can activate the vagus nerve to help enhance autonomic control. However, slow breathing without physiological biofeedback—which provides the cues that you are doing it correctly—can actually be counter-productive because you are not breathing in sync with your nervous system.

The StressEraser is a tangible biofeedback device that was specifically designed to help you find the unique breathing pattern that maximizes RSA, maintains your focus, and most efficiently triggers increased vagal influences on your heart.

Greater variability, especially due to larger rhythmic changes associated with breathing, leads to a higher amplitude RSA wave – and therefore more parasympathetic (relaxation) activity. When there is greater parasympathetic tone, it supports health, growth, and restoration.

As you learn to find this breathing pattern, the StressEraser simultaneously guides you to focus your attention, a key aspect of proper physiological relaxation. The goal of this strategy is transform a heart rate pattern characterized by short, jagged RSA waves into one characterized by large, smooth RSA waves. The StressEraser is the only portable HRV/RSA biofeedback device that allows you to follow and manipulate your RSA wave in real time. When used properly, it enhances the state of your nervous system, while inducing feelings of calm and relaxation.

The StressEraser measures your real-time beat-to-beat heart rate via an infrared finger sensor. The finger sensor has a built-in photoplethysmograph to identify the pulsation associated with each heart beat. The StressEraser accurately identifies the time of each pulse and calculates heart rate based on the time that has elapsed between the two most recent pulses. The StressEraser plots the up and down, wavelike movement and displays the pulse rate wave on the LCD screen.

By observing the RSA wave derived from your beat-to-beat pulse rate, the StressEraser provides a window into the activity of your vagus nerve.

The StressEraser then breaks down the RSA waves to analyze the frequency of each individual wave.

Once the frequency of the wave is computed, you receive immediate feedback on whether the wave was sufficiently long and smooth to receive credit. If you are breathing in your unique optimal pattern – and have a calm, neutral mind – you score 1 point for a large smooth wave, as marked by three vertical squares. The goal is to achieve this type of wave continuously. If the wave is long enough to indicate sufficient, but not optimal RSA, the user receives 1/2 point as marked by two vertical squares. If the wave is too short, the user receives no points, as marked by one square. (Note: Seniors and beginners can set a goal for continuous two-square waves.)

The minimum suggested session is 30 points (about 5-7 minutes) with a goal of 100 points per day (approximately 20 minutes).

To achieve continuous three-square waves, you are instructed to inhale until your heart rate peaks. This point is marked by a triangle. The triangle indicates the moment that a natural burst of vagal activity is about to begin, indicating your parasympathetic response. When the triangle appears, begin your exhale and shift your thoughts to a calming focus phrase (such as counting your exhale). Then, extend your exhale until the wave begins to rise again. At the end of your exhale, inhale until the next triangle appears.

The slow breathing rate required to create this wave varies from person to person, but is usually somewhere between 4.5 and 7 breaths per minute. Your unique pattern is called your “resonant frequency.” When you attain your own resonant frequency pattern, there is a perfect phase relationship between your breathing rhythms and your heart rhythms. That is, they are in perfect sync with one another.

Breathing and heart rhythms are the two most important mechanisms involved in the neuroregulation of the heart. As with your breathing, you can consciously alter your natural heart rhythm (known as the “baroreflex”) to a certain extent. When they are in perfect sync, studies show that it helps strengthen and balance the autonomic nervous system. Once you learn to find your resonant frequency pattern, you will notice it induces feelings of mind-body relaxation.

One of the most useful features of the StressEraser is that it does not give credit if there is a disruption or “break” in the flow of a wave because of withdrawal of vagus nerve activity. These breaks might be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Extending the exhale for too long
• Strained or improper breathing
• Excessive emotion
• Being highly distracted
• Fever or illness
• Specific medications blocking vagal regulation
• Or irregular heartbeats

The StressEraser recognizes these breaks and informs you that a disruption occurred. Since the StressEraser’s feedback is in real-time, you can immediately correct the behavior that caused the wave break. Typically, a wave break is your cue to re-focus on your breathing.

In summary, the StressEraser is a tangible biofeedback device that was specifically designed to help you find the unique breathing pattern that maximizes RSA, maintains your focus, and most efficiently triggers increased vagal influences on your heart. Therefore, the StressEraser promotes health and calmness. It can be used to reduce stress for those who have issues dealing with constant stress, brief stressors (i.e., deadlines, public speaking) or to simply enhance health, performance and overall feelings of calmness.

How to Use the StressEraser

There are two primary goals of each StressEraser session – to relax your body and to calm your mind.

1. Your first goal is to relax your body by making tall, wide, smooth waves. Because breathing directly affects your HRV, the most effective way to relax is to dramatically slow your breathing. When your waves are tall, wide, and smooth, you have engaged the natural relaxation response in your body. Repeating for 10-15 minutes at a time has a lasting effect.
2. Your second goal is to calm your mind by reducing negative emotions and thoughts. Even when you are breathing properly, negative emotions will cause your waves to get shorter or to become jagged. You can reduce negative thoughts by focusing on your waves and by counting during your exhale. This exercise will clear your mind.

Practice Slow Breathing. Before you start your first StressEraser session, it is important that you practice breathing slowly. This will give you a feel for the type of breathing you will be doing with the StressEraser. To practice, inhale for 4 seconds and then exhale for 5 seconds. Feel free to follow your watch or to simply count slowly to yourself. Continue breathing at the 4-second/5-second pace for about 2 minutes. Remember, your goal is to learn to breathe slowly – not deeply. As long as you are breathing slowly, depth will come. Your breathing should always feel relaxed, not strained. Creating a wave pattern similar to the pictures below may take a while. So take your time and do the best you can.

Your First Session

1. Press the POWER button on the right side panel (not one of the buttons on the front).
2. When prompted, insert your left index finger into the clip. Wait 5 seconds for the sensor to adjust to your pulse rate.
3. As soon as your wave appears on the screen, press the BREATHE button.
4. Whenever you are ready, inhale slowly and gently. When a new triangle appears above the wave, exhale slowly and gently. During your exhale, slowly count 1.2.3.4.5.
5. When your wave begins to rise, start your next inhale.

Note: While triangles cue your exhale, there is no cue for the inhale. If you like, you can use the squares as an approximate cue. Begin your inhale when you see the squares appear under the previous wave. Alternatively, you can count 1 second after your wave has started to rise – whichever works best for you.

Score your waves. Your goal is to consistently score 2 and 3-squares under each wave. You get no credit for 1-square waves. Each 2-square wave is worth 1/2 point. Each 3-square wave is worth 1 point. To get 2 squares, follow the instructions to create waves that are tall, wide, and smooth. Keep exhaling at the triangle and counting your exhale.

Your optimal exhale count. If 5 is an uncomfortable count for you – or if you’re not scoring 2 and 3-square waves – try exhaling for a count of 4 or 6. You can try even faster or slower, depending on your comfort level. Once you have found an exhale count that is comfortable and consistently results in 2 and 3-square waves, you have found your optimal exhale count. Continue with that count until you have scored at least 5points. (Your points accumulate in the top-left corner of the screen.)

Breathing Tips:

1. Don’t lean. For best results, find a comfortable place to sit or recline. Don’t lean forward – make sure your sitting position enables you to keep your air passages and abdominal muscles free. Breathe in and out through your nose or mouth, whichever is more comfortable for you.
2. Pursed lips. If you are having trouble breathing slowly, try pursing your lips. To do this, pucker or “purse” your lips as if you are going to whistle. This will release less air as you exhale and will help slow down your breathing.
3. Always comfortable. Remember, your breathing should always be gentle, quiet, smooth and comfortable. You should not be straining, taking long inhales, holding your breath, or doing anything that is at all uncomfortable.
4. Slow not deep. StressEraser breathing is NOT “deep” breathing. Depth will come as long as you are breathing slowly. Breathing deeply too quickly can cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. StressEraser breathing is like normal breathing, except it is a little slower. And of course it is synchronized with the activity of your nervous system.
5. Extend your exhale. Once you are familiar with the StressEraser and are consistently scoring 3 squares, extend your exhale as long as you can until your wave starts to rise again – then begin your inhale. Remember, you benefit from making your exhales longer and longer, as long as your breathing remains comfortable and relaxed. The idea is to extend your exhale for as long as your nervous system can handle.

If you are not able to make out the above instructions, you can watch the video to understand more.

Results may vary

The indicated use of the StressEraser is for relaxation, relaxation training and stress reduction. The StressEraser is currently being tested in numerous controlled clinical trials at leading academic institutions for stress-related issues such as Anxiety, Asthma, Depression, Insomnia, Migraine Headaches, Performance (occupational & sports), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD, Stress levels in physicians and pregnant women, etc

Several StressEraser studies have been completed and overall results indicate users both prefer and find the StressEraser more helpful than other relaxation techniques. Immediately after using the device, users report significant reductions in feelings of stress related anxiety, increases in feelings of calmness and relaxation, increases in cognitive performance and decreases in heart rate. Moreover, results indicate that the more efficient someone is at using the device, the more they report improvement in stress related symptoms of anxiety.

Studies reveal that the StressEraser reduces feelings of stress-related anxiety and anger, increases objective indicators of work performance, and increases heart rate variability. You can access more published work here.

Fred Muench
Stress Eraser

Fred Muench – A biography

Frederick Muench has a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is currently serving as the Director of Clinical Research and Development, Helicor, New York, NY where he is responsible for new project development, clinical trials and professional education and consulting for the StressEraser biofeedback medical device. He is also an adjunct Professor in the Department of Applied Psychology at New York University in New York, NY.

About Stress Eraser

StressEraser is an award-winning small portable medical device, that relaxes the body and calms the mind in 15 minutes. The StressEraser can be used to quiet the mind before sleeping, rapidly relieve intense stress, and even to stay calm during highly stressful situations.

From beat to beat, your heart rate reflects the activity of your stimulating and pacifying nerves. The StressEraser displays these tiny changes as a wave. By watching your wave characteristics in realtime, you learn to adjust your breathing and mental focus. This decreases the activity of the stimulating nerves (thereby decreasing stress) and increases the activity of the pacifying nerves (thereby increasing relaxation).

The StressEraser is classified by the FDA as a Class II 510(k) exempt medical device. The indicated use is for relaxation, relaxation training and stress reduction. The StressEraser is available for $299 from the StressEraser web site at http://stresseraser.com. The StressEraser is currently available to U.S. residents only.

Cover via Amazon

We all know that human body is complicated and consists of 90% of water content. It’s a great challenge for all of us to be in better health. Dr. Mark Hyman shares some insights on better health without having any medicine and how we can achieve these.

He strongly feels that our eating habits determine our health. It’s the root cause of all health problems. He talks about how we changed our eating habits over a period of time. Basically, he strongly condemns the food factory and medical doctors. He suggests that a simple food plan over 2-4 weeks can change your health and if you continue to follow these, you will feel better and healthy and get rid of aging.

UltraWellness is a new approach pioneered by Mark Hyman, M.D., that shows you how to work with the fundamental underlying laws by which your body operates to create optimal health. This is 21st-century medicine is finally available to everyone.

This new approach is based on the cutting edge science of systems biology and functional medicine. If put it simply, this means that UltraWellness works with your body as an integrated whole to achieve what conventional medicine cannot.

Here are the 7 keys to your UltraWellness. Try it and you will be amazed with its powers.

1. How Your Environment Affects Your Health
2. The Hidden Threat of Inflammation
3. How to Balance Your Hormones to Control Your Mood, Weight and Health
4. Why Your Digestive System is the Core of Good Health
5. How to Rid Your Body of Deadly Poisions by Optimizing Your Detoxification System
6. How to Boost Your Energy By Optimizing Your Mitochondria
7. How to Improve Your Health by Optimizing your Body-Mind Connection

The process is relatively simple:

• first, identify which of your seven key underlying systems isn’t working correctly;
• second, remove the sources that are causing problems with each one of those keys; and
• third, nourish each of these systems with what it needs to function optimally. Then, your body’s natural intelligence takes over and automatically fixes your remaining problems.

Dr. Hyman has written several books (UltraMetabolism, The Ultra Thyroid Solution, The UltraMetabolism Cookbook, The Ultra Simple Diet, UltraPrevention) and many audio video programs. You can also visit http://www.ultrawellness.com/store to know about these.

UltraMetabolism is a simple plan of 8 week program for automatic weight reduction and optimal health. It consists of mix of recipes and natural way of achieving this. You can also search more UltraMetabolism recipes or join the community for more details.

UltraPrevention is a 6-week plan that will make you Healthy for life. In this book he talks about how to eliminate the five forces, which makes us sick. Also, talking about the principles for restoring and maintaining health. He speaks about underlying causes of sickness.

Some information and facts mentioned by Dr. Hyman are written below to raise your awareness and consciousness.

According to Dr. Hyman:

“The fact is that the human body is complicated. It has evolved over hundreds of thousands of years. There is no one magic bullet that will shoot down all your health issues.”

“I believe, however, that once you stop falling for the myths of modern medicine and once you begin adopting the recommendations of Ultraprevention you will be on your way to a future of better health.”

“Ultraprevention, is a new paradigm of well-being and a system of thought, evaluation, and treatment derived from the scientific study of health. This system is based on remarkable truths uncovered by researchers over the last few years. These truths provide tremendous insights into our health and give us a framework that not only explains but unites the processes of health and illness.”

The five forces of illness are:

1. Malnutrition or sludge
2. Impaired Metabolism or burnout
3. Inflammation or heat
4. Impaired detoxification or waste
5. Oxidative stress or rust

“I believe that every person who pays attention to these forces will enjoy better health. My program is not just about getting better when you feel ill – it is about staying better so you don’t have to feel ill at all.”

“Many doctors talk about early detection as the cornerstone of prevention. But true prevention has to start long before detection can occur. Why? Patients are not an ambulatory collection of separate organs and various conditions – everything in the body is related. Imbalances or dysfunctions in one system lead to added stresses in the other systems. When these stresses and imbalances tax the organ reserve symptoms and illness result. Remember the old children’s song – the Thighbone is connected to the hipbone… No organism can exist in isolation, and neither can a body system. Most doctors don’t try to put the clues together to form a big pictures – we do!”

Consider the person who has a heart attack — The heart attack didn’t occur out of the blue. It was preceded by decades of plaque buildup caused by oxidation (rusting) of fats in the bloodstream, which became deposited in the wall of the artery, followed by activation of the immune system leading to inflammation (heat) in the wall of the artery and this was aggravated by malnutrition (sludge) and tipped over by the resulting stress on the detoxification (waste) system which finally made one of those plaques break open and rupture causing a clot to form that in turn caused your heart attack. There is a similar chain of events with all common illnesses. The beginnings of all these diseases are like the first in a long line of dominoes to fall in a reaction that may take years to complete eventually ending with the diagnosis of a preventable illness. We look for the very first domino and pick it up before it has a chance to fall. The human body can right itself, if given the chance to do so.

You can identify the illness if you conduct the test as per below parameters. Here are some answers to your queries if you have the above illness.

Test for Malnutrition:

• Homocysteine — Blood test. The Ideal level is less than 9
• Essential Fatty Acids — Blood test. Measured in the red blood cells (Test for Omega 3, 6, and other fatty acids directly)
• Red Blood cell mineral levels — Blood test. Test for the levels of Magnesium, Selenium, Iodine, Zinc and Copper.
• Methylmalonic Acid — Blood or Urine Test. High levels indicate a B12 deficiency.
• Stool analysis — determines digestion and absorption. This will identify if foods are not being broken down and digested properly, or not being absorbed.

Test for Impaired Metabolism:

• Urinary Organic Acids — By measuring acidic compounds in the urine provides a rich amount of information about nutritional aspects of cellular energy production.
• Cardiometabolic stress testing: Measuring oxygen consumption during exercise (VO2 Max) tests for your mitochondria’s metabolic capacity.
• Insulin response test: Normal insulin values at two hours are less than 25 and a normal glucose level is less than 140.
• Lipid profile: Total cholesterol (LDL, HDL, triglycerides) A triglyceride level over 150 or a triglyceride to HDL ratio greater than 4.3 are highly suggestive of insulin resistance as is an HDL level of less than 40.
• TSH or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone — Blood Test. Normal Level is 0.3 to 3.5 with the optimal being 1.0-2.0.
• Free T3 and Free T4: Direct measurement of thyroid hormone in the blood in conjunction with the TSH level provides helpful information regarding thyroid function.
• Thyroid antibodies: This test can detect people at risk of developing hypothyroidism because these antibodies attack the thyroid gland.
• Resting metabolic rate. Clues us into the presence of an underactive thyroid gland.

Test for Inflammation:

• C-reactive protein – The high-sensitivity CRP (Normal levels 0.7 or less)
• Sedimentation rate (SED rate) High SED rates indicated inflammation (Normal values <20)
• Fibrinogen level — Blood Test: Fibrinogen is one of the chief constituents involved in clotting and is made by the liver. It rises in response to inflammation.
• Food Allergy blood tests: I measure the levels of antibodies (IgG, IgE) in the blood to a battery of different foods, potentially reactive foods.
• Gluten/Celiac disease — Blood Test: Specific tests check for gluten allergy and include the anti-gliadin antibody test and the tissue transglutaminase assay.
• Tests for Infections: Antibody tests (H. Pylori and Lyme disease), PCR tests and Cultures.

Test for Impaired Detoxification:

• Detoxification challenge test (Blood and Urine Test) Delayed or impaired detoxification in a specific area can point to nutritional deficiencies involved in detoxification or weak enzyme systems in the liver.
• Blood reduced Glutathione
• Hair analysis: A screening test for heavy metal toxicity (mercury, arsenic, lead, and cadmium)
• Urinary organic acids: Provides information about the body’s ability to detoxify certain solvents as well as hormones and carcinogens.

Test for Oxidative stress:

• Lipid peroxides — Blood or Urine. Measuring the level provides and index of the body’s antioxidant status.
• Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Gluathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and catalase. These are three of the most important natural anti-oxidant enzymes.
• Glutathione — Blood Test
• Urinary hydroxyl markers: Levels of free radicals such as catechol and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate.
• Blood anti-oxidant levels. Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Co-enzyme Q10 and Beta Carotene

Why do we test for these?

Most doctors don’t pay attention to any of these forces because they operated under this method — if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. The problem as I see it is that “it” may well be broken already. But most Doctors don’t realize this because they wait until something is damaged almost beyond repair before they act.

Knowledge provide by these tests gives us the advantage over other Doctors — they give us lead time to prevent them from occurring.

It is up to you. One of the greatest changes taking place in our medical system is the empowerment of the patient. Everyone needs to become their own health advocate.

Dr. Mark Hyman M.D
Author of UltraPrevention and UltraMetabolism

Dr. Mark Hayman – A biography

Mark Hyman, M.D., is author of the New York Times bestseller The UltraSimple Diet, co-author of the New York Times bestseller Ultraprevention (Scribner), which won a Books for a Better Life Award, creator of The Detox Box, and author of The Five Forces of Wellness. There are nearly 1 million copies of Dr. Hyman’s books in print in the U.S. His New York Times bestseller, UltraMetabolism: The Simple Plan for Automatic Weight Loss, published in more than 12 languages, also hit The Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller lists and was the #1 health book on Amazon the year it was published. He is Editor-in-Chief of “Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine” and the Medical Editor of “Natural Solutions.”

He has appeared on Weekend Today, Good Morning America Weekend, The Early Show, The View, and CNN, FOX, PBS, and NPR, as well as in leading consumer magazines including Body & Soul, Elle, Family Circle, Fitness, Glamour, Health, Men’s Health, Natural Health, Parade, Self, Shape, Town & Country, and Woman’s World. Hyman’s website, www.ultrawellness.com, empowers health care consumers by enabling them to take advantage of the medicine of the future, today.

What is the RejuvaWand™ Skincare System? How does it work?

The RejuvaWand™ Skincare System is the first home-use, light-based skincare system to use both red and infrared light to reduce the signs of aging. The restorative red and infrared light that emits from the wand penetrates the skin’s surface and stimulates new cell production and blood flow. Restorative light therapy helps to reverse the signs of aging and leads to a healthy and younger looking appearance, proponents say. The RejuvaWand also went through rigorous clinical tests and is “the nexus of skincare, healthcare and technology.”

As we age, the cells that manufacture collagen and elastin – your skin’s support system – begin to slow down. Sun exposure accelerates this process and produces a damaging chemical imbalance under the surface of your skin. The RejuvaWand^TM Skincare System from Light Dimensions uses a totally natural approach to reverse the damaging effects of aging and sun exposure. The system combines relaxing massage and light to help invigorate the body’s own natural restorative processes, and counteract the effects of aging.

Some anti-aging treatments, like chemical peels and laser resurfacing, essentially cause damage to the skin, tapping the body’s natural healing processes to produce desired results. The RejuvaWand process is healthier. It stimulates your skin’s natural healing agents and triggers revitalization through a combination of invigorating massage and unique wavelengths of light.

Light from the RejuvaWand permeates the top layers of the skin, telling your cells to produce more energy (scientifically referred to as Adenosine Triphosphate, or ATP) thereby jumpstarting the fuel these cells need during the repair and rejuvenation process. ATP also helps your cells absorb nutrients faster and more effectively.

Independent laboratory studies have shown that increased ATP can help reverse the effects on aging skin. The powerful cellular energy boosts collagen levels, smoothes the skin’s appearance, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and activates key healing properties. The RejuvaWand’s addition of Rejuva^TM Vibe gentle massage increases blood circulation under your skin, which ultimately increases the flow of nutrients and carries away dead and damaged cells.

Medical Grade Light Therapy

RejuvaWand technology is based on unique high power light emitting diodes (LEDs), which have been proven in independent research to safely deliver powerful cosmetic, hygienic and therapeutic benefits. Even the NASA space program has shown that LED light therapy promotes wound healing and human tissue growth. In addition, the RejuvaWand Skincare System is painless with absolutely no downtime due to redness or swelling of skin.

Rejuva Vibe Restorative Massage

Therapeutic massage helps to relieve muscle pain, increase circulation and has been a cornerstone of physical therapy for centuries. The RejuvaWand harnesses this traditional healing process by using a type of massage called selective harmonic vibration (SHV), or Rejuva Vibe, which promotes increased blood circulation and healing, and increases the formation of new capillaries. Healthy blood vessels replace damaged ones and speed your skin’s rejuvenation process.

Does the treatment hurt? Will the LED lights burn or cut my skin?

No. The RejuvaWand™ Skincare System is non-invasive, which means it works without cutting into the skin.The LED lights are approved for home use and will not burn or damage your skin. RejuvaWand Treatments are extremely comfortable, safe and also relaxing.

What is the difference between The RejuvaWand Skincare System and a laser or Intense Pulsed Light treatment at the doctor’s office?

The RejuvaWand Skincare System uses low-level light energy to stimulate your body’s own natural rejuvenation process, which improves your skin’s condition in a non-irritating and non-invasive way. There is no redness, swelling or downtime with the RejuvaWand Skincare System. Office-based treatments, such as Lasers and intense pulsed light (IPL) systems, achieve their effects by causing damage to the skin, which in turn promotes a healing process. These treatments are also very expensive and often require multiple visits. The RejuvaWand can be used in the privacy of your own home and costs much less than office-based laser and IPL treatments.

How is the RejuvaWand Skincare System different from other light-based skin therapy products?The RejuvaWand personal care appliance offers a number of important advantages over other light-based therapy products.

• Light Sources -Unlike competing products, you can choose from two restorative light sources that emit from the RejuvaWand. The visible red light penetrates directly below the skin’s surface, which jumpstarts cell rejuvenation and makes the skin healthier and younger looking. Infrared light penetrates more deeply to further the rejuvenation process. The light sources are used on alternating days to deliver optimal results.

• Power Output -Other home-based light therapy skin treatment systems emit light at a much lower output level than the RejuvaWand. In fact, the RejuvaWand emits its two therapeutic lights at a level that is more than 20 times other products’ on the market. This ensures the deepest light penetration into the skin and optimal results.

• Emitting Area -The light emission area on the RejuvaWand is over 10 times larger than other products. This design was incorporated for more effective treatment of larger surface areas. and targeted delivery of more light into the skin.

• Rejuva Vibe -The RejuvaWand is the only restorative light therapy product to incorporate Rejuva™ Vibe relaxing and healing massage as a key element in the skin rejuvenation process. Rejuva Vibe relaxes uneven surface areas in the skin to help flatten wrinkles and better target restorative light penetration. This relaxing massage also helps to promote the development of new capillaries, which increases blood circulation and the removal of dead and damaged cells, leaving the skin younger and healthier looking.

• Light Diffuser -The RejuvaWand diffuses and randomly distributes the red and infrared lights into the skin. This helps to ensure that the restorative light covers the entire treatment area.

Is The RejuvaWand dangerous to use around my eyes?

No. The RejuvaWand Skincare System was designed so that its treatment light will not harm your eyes and is only emitted when in contact with or in close proximity to your skin. Even if you accidentally look directly into the light being emitted during the treatment, your eyes will not be harmed. Regardless of the inherent safety features, directions should always be followed and warning labels should always be read.

Are there any negative side effects from using The RejuvaWand skincare system?

The RejuvaWand has been clinically tested by Dermatologists and negative side effects from its use were not reported. In more than 30 years of ongoing clinical tests, trials and studies, there have been no reported short- or long-term negative side effects from similar light treatments.

How long does the RejuvaWand need to be used before I see results?

Results depend on many variables including your age, amount of photo-damage from sun exposure, adherence to instructions, proper and consistent use of the recommended Rejuva three step skincare program, etc. With consistent and proper treatment visible changes in your skin’s appearance should be noticeable in 30 days or less. The changes are gradual so it is always advisable to take close up photographs of the area being treated before treatment and then compare them to photos taken after 30 days of using the RejuvaWand Skincare System.
How often do I need to use the RejuvaWand Skincare System?

For best results, the RejuvaWand Skincare System should be used once a day, in the morning or at nighttime, on each area that is being treated for the preprogrammed amount of time.

Can I use the RejuvaWand Skincare System in conjunction with other treatments like dermabrasion?
Yes. In fact, the combined treatment with dermabrasion or other forms of exfoliation may have very positive effects. Dermatologists have commented on the benefits of using the RejuvaWand on a daily basis between office-based treatments. Consult with your treatment dermatologist or aesthetician about the nature of a specific treatment and the possible effects of combining them with daily RejuvaWand usage.

Can I use the RejuvaWand Skincare System in conjunction with other treatments like dermabrasion?

Yes. In fact, the combined treatment with dermabrasion or other forms of exfoliation may have very positive effects. Dermatologists have commented on the benefits of using the RejuvaWand on a daily basis between office-based treatments. Consult with your treatment dermatologist or aesthetician about the nature of a specific treatment and the possible effects of combining them with daily RejuvaWand usage.

Marc Maisel, Vice President Marketing and Sales

Marc has played a hands-on executive role in the medical laser, ophthalmic products and cosmetic industries for over 35 years. He has served as V.P. of International Sales for Cutera Medical, formerly Altus Medical; V.P. Sales for Coherent Medical, Sales Manager for Bausch & Lomb and Director of Sales and Marketing for Sunshine Natural Products. Throughout his career, Marc has played a key role in the development and introduction of lasers and other groundbreaking products in the fields of dermatology, ophthalmology, urology, skincare and hair care.

About Light Dimensions:

Light Dimensions’ goal is to help you improve the beauty and health of your skin with, medical-quality, restorative light therapy products that help reverse the signs of aging. With regular and convenient home use of the RejuvaWand™ personal care appliance and the RejuvaWand Skincare System, you can enjoy clinically proven, younger-looking skin, achieving results similar to those available from costly and time-consuming treatments in physicians’ offices, salons or spas.

Light Dimensions’ senior team has more than 100 years’ experience in the development, production and clinical distribution of medical lasers, and other high tech medical and dental products. The company’s management team has developed and introduced revolutionary laser products and treatments in a wide range of medical fields, including dermatology, cosmetic surgery, ophthalmology, gynecology, urology and oncology. Many of these pioneering treatments are being used today to fight breast cancer, cataracts, glaucoma, prostate disease, stroke, infertility and more.

These same experts have applied their deep domain knowledge to develop the RejuvaWand™ Skincare System, a revolutionary new line of age-defying skin treatment products. To facilitate their efforts they have assembled a team of world-leading physicists, engineers, chemists and industrial designers.

Carole Maggio, CEO of Facercise joins Craig to discuss her synergistic series of facial exercises and how they can keep you looking young longer without surgery.

“I call it the anti-Botox boom,” says Carole Maggio, creator of the facercise program and a internationally known skin and facial consultant who runs the Carole Maggio Spa in Redondo Beach, California. “Botox deadens the muscles to relax them and erase wrinkles but Facercise does the opposite. It strengthens muscles to shape fuller lips, lifted eyebrows, wide open and vibrant eyes, a shorter nose as well as a chiseled chin, neck and jaw line.” And they do it in their cars as well. “It’s a great way improve your appearance and feel like your commute was productive.”

Maggio says “facercising” is more effective than cosmetic surgery and many facial problem areas can be toned with simple movements.

For example, raising your eyebrows up and down at least five times is actually an “eye enhancing exercise” that strains your muscles and makes your eyes bigger in no time.

For a plump pout, Maggio suggests flexing the corners of your mouth, “like you’re sucking on a lemon” and pushing on the corners with your thumb and index finger until you “feel the burn.”

For a perky schnoz, “nose pumps,” where you pinch your nose with one hand and pull your upper lip with the other hand should do the trick.

Although driving while facercising seems odd, Maggio argues, “You exercise your nose while most people are picking theirs. At least you can be constructive during your drive.”

The Facercise trend is not just in California. Maggio says that the largest customers of her DVD and CD are in Japan. “Japanese women are real believers in using non-invasive means to look better,” she said. “There is no down
side to trying the exercises before you consider other more drastic measures to look and feel better. It also costs a fraction of what more invasive measures would.”

“Just as a body builder can use weight training to isolate and develop certain muscles in his or her body, a particular facial feature can be developed and accentuated by performing a specific facial exercise. After five days of Facercise, men and women see a younger face smiling back at them in the mirror.”

Just as Botox and other injectibles are becoming a growing choice for many women, many others cannot afford the treatments let alone a full face lift. But they can spend time in their cars, trying to look younger one mile at a time.

Do you want to try it for yourself? Maggio offers instructional CD’s and DVD’s at www.facercise.com.

About Carole:

Carole Maggio, considered “the world’s foremost authority on facial exercises” has devised a series of synergistic exercises which she has successfully taught to hundreds of thousands of clients world wide. In 1995, as an answer to thousands of questions regarding her techniques, she authored the best selling book, FACERCISE®. This book continues to be a top selling item in bookstores worldwide. She has also produced two DVDs and two CDs to demonstrate her FACERCISE® techniques.

Ms. Maggio has a legion of supporters among the medical professionals worldwide. She has had numerous testimonials from many plastic surgeons who support her belief that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Her credo is to address the causes of facial aging, not to just treat the symptoms.

Ms. Maggio long ago discovered that through proper exercises, one can strengthen and develop the 57 face and neck muscles so that the face can actually be restructured to achieve an improved, younger look. Just as a body builder can develop particular muscles in his or her body, a particular facial feature can be developed and accentuated by performing a specific facial exercise. In just a short period of time there will be a noticeable difference in the contour and tone of the face.

Ms. Maggio has appeared on numerous television shows including Dateline, Geraldo, New York Today, CNBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, BBC, HSN, QVC, The Learning Channel, Discovery, Good Morning Arizona and The Food Network among others.

Ms. Maggio’s techniques have been voted as one of the top 100 beauty products in the world by Harpers & Queen magazine. As quoted in the New York Times, Ms. Maggio has succeeded “in bending time’s arrow the other way.”

About Carole Maggio Day Spa:

Carole Maggio Day Spa is a cosmetic treatment spa specializing in non-invasive alternatives to plastic surgery. Ms. Maggio is an experienced facial therapist and esthetician whose renowned facial exercise techniques for men and women have earned popularity in 17 countries. These methods, which Ms. Maggio has dubbed Facercise, focus on strengthening facial muscles for a lasting improvement in appearance. The spa also offers body sculpting/cellulite reduction, microdermabrasion, and advanced facials.

Facercise works to lift and tone the 57 muscles in the face and neck. As a result of frequent and intensive yet brief (approximately ten minutes a session) facial workouts, signs of aging such as skin slackness and drooping mouth can be visibly reduced within five days and prevented from returning as long as exercises are kept up. Clients unhappy with an individual facial feature can work with professionals to develop individualized Facercise regimens aimed at restructuring the problem from the underlying muscles outward.

Carole Maggio’s signature CM Body Sculpting involves sweeping massage-like strokes designed to increase circulation and break up fat deposits. The treatment is applicable to the buttocks, lower back, arms, and legs for firming and toning effects. On average, recipients lose eight to 14 inches after ten 30-minute, twice-weekly treatments. Results are thoroughly documented during the regimen.

Licensed estheticians are also on hand to perform results-oriented skincare services. Guests can take advantage of a series of DiamondTone Microdermabrasion treatments in order to smooth skin tone and address irregularities, e.g. acne scarring and sun damage. Other available skin-rejuvenating treatments include anti-aging facial massage, antioxidant facial, and results-oriented tightening and toning facials.

Since time began, in every corner of the globe, people have looked for ways to purify themselves, to find balance and contentment through natural means. Martha Orellana Vice President of Mr. Steam joins Craig to discuss Steam, sauna, and aromatherapy and how all can play an important role in your personal stress and health management.

Steambathing promotes feelings of relaxation and rejuvenation and is an effective way to reduce stress and detoxify the body and help restore balance.

Holistic benefits are enhanced with the use of Aromasteam™ system, Chromasteam™ system and in-shower music therapy speakers.

Installing a steam unit is not just a product available to the wealthy, with Mr. Steam it is now affordable to create a private spa in your home

About Martha Orellana, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Mr.Steam:
As vice president of sales and marketing for Sussman Lifestyle Group, Martha Orellana has responsibility for managing the company’s sales force in the Western United States, Mexico and Canada.

Since joining the company more than 21 years ago, she has held management positions of increasing responsibility, including import/export manager, customer service manager, product manager and sales manager, where she was instrumental in organizing and establishing the rep firms now in place across the U.S.

About Mr. Steam:
Mr.Steam provides the finest quality steambath generators, towel warmers, sauna rooms and sauna heaters for residential and commercial use. Mr.Steam’s innovative steam systems, towel warmers and saunas enable people around the world to enjoy a healthy and luxurious lifestyle and spa experience. For more than 50 years, discerning consumers, interior designers, architects, builders and plumbing contractors have chosen Mr.Steam products. The company continues to redefine quality and reliability. Mr.Steam places great emphasis on customer service by offering builders and consumers design and technical assistance through our locations on the east and west coasts, as well as our expansive website at www.mrsteam.com. Mr.Steam products are backed by consumer-friendly, limited warranties that exemplify the company’s total commitment to customer satisfaction and provide exclusive remedy to the purchasers.

For more information on Mr.Steam’s and its other fine products, visit www.mrsteam.com or call 1.800.76.STEAM.

What is brain fitness?

Brain Fitness is the general state of a good, sharp brain and mind, especially as the result of mental and physical exercise, stress management and proper nutrition. Much like physical muscles, “mental muscles” can be strengthened to improve memory, focus and decision-making skills among others, as well as help delay the onset of age-related dementias such as Alzheimer’s.

Why has this become such a talked-about trend?

The trend has emerged because the science is now available to test and assess the effects of brain training, including: fMRI and neuroimaging; biofeedback for emotional regulation using “Heart Rate Variability” (HRV); and a growing body of clinical evidence. Just like the fitness revolution 30 years ago when people realized how much physical exercise could impact their bodies, improve their energy levels and increase their lifespan, people are now understanding that they can significantly impact their minds with brain exercise. And they are achieving the same results: a more acute and active mind that is lasting them later into life.

How does exercising your brain improve memory, concentration, etc?

A person’s brain is constantly undergoing neurogenesis, the creation of new neurons and connections between neurons. The more active a particular brain cell is, the more connections it develops. If these neurons aren’t cultivated by learning, they will wither and die without ever becoming integrated into your brain — much like an unused muscle that atrophies.

What can individuals do to exercise their brains?

While crossword puzzles, sudoku, and other mind games provide some exercise, they only address limited areas of the brain. The most effective way to stimulate and sustain neurogenesis is through programs specifically designed to offer a variety of tasks that engage a wide range of mental muscles using the right mix of novelty, variety and “stretching” practice.

What is SharpBrains?

SharpBrains is an online brain fitness center that provides state-of-the-art, science-based information, assessments and programs. The company’s goal is to help members of all ages find the best computer-based program to exercise their brains, and then support them with educational materials, interactive tools such as blogs and forums and one-on-one assistance from online brain fitness coaches.

Highlights of Brain Science

Thanks to new neuroimaging techniques, regarded “as important for neuroscience as telescopes were for astronomy”, neuroscientists are finding that the brain has a number of “core capacities” and “mental muscles” that can be exercised through novelty, variety and practice, and that exercising our brain influences the generation of new neurons and their connections.

Previous beliefs about our brain and how it works have been proven false. Some beliefs that have been debunked include claims that adult brains can not create new neurons (proven false by Berkeley scientists Marian Diamond and Mark Rosenzweig, and Salk Institute’s Fred Gage), notions that working memory has a maximum limit of 6 or 7 items (Karolinska Institute’s Torkel Klingberg), and assumptions that the brain’s basic processes can not be reorganized by repeated practice (UCSF’s Drs. Paula Tallal and Michael Merzenich). Some links and references are available below. The “mental muscles” we can train include attention, stress and emotional management, memory, visual/ spatial, auditory processes and language, motor coordination and executive functions like planning and problem-solving.

Mental stimulation is important if done in the right supportive and engaging environment. Stanford’s Robert Sapolsky has proven that chronic stress and cortical inhibition, which may be aggravated due to imposed mental stimulation, may prove counterproductive. Having the right motivation is essential.

A surprising and promising area of scientific inquiry is Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). An increasing number of neuroscientists (such as UMass Medical School’s Jon Kabat-Zinn and University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Richard Davidson) are investigating the ability of trained meditators to develop and sustain attention and visualizations and to work positively with powerful emotional states and stress through the directed mental processes of meditation practices.

Key Scientific Concepts in Brain and Mind Fitness

Chronic Stress: ongoing, long-term physiological arousal where stressors block the formation of new neurons and negatively impact the immune system’s defenses.

Cortical facilitation: state of mind which is associated with improved comprehension, memory recall and the ability to solve problems. The opposite is cortical inhibition, where reactions are slowed and we cannot think clearly and where the more refined mental processes– such as abstract reasoning or comprehending the deeper meaning of what is being read or said– are especially affected.

Cognitive training: consists of a variety of brain exercises designed to help work out “mental muscles”. The principle underlying cognitive training is to help improve the “core” abilities, which most people mistakenly consider as instincts.

Cognitive Reserve (or Brain Reserve): hypothesis that addresses the fact that individuals vary considerably in the severity of cognitive aging and clinical dementia. Mental stimulation, education and occupational level are believed to be major active components of building a cognitive reserve that can help resist the attacks of mental disease.

fMRI: functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique that enables researchers see images of changing blood flow in the brain associated with neural activity. This allows images to be generated that reflect which structures are activated (and how) during performance of different tasks.

Heart Rate Variability: describes the frequency of the cardiac cycle. There is a two-way communication system between the heart and the brain that regulates heart rate and blood pressure, and it is the interaction of signals flowing between the two that causes the heart rate to vary with each beat.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): yoga and meditation practices designed to enable effective responses to stress, pain, and illness.

Neuroimaging: includes the use of various techniques to either directly or indirectly image the structure, function, or pharmacology of the brain. It is a relatively new discipline within medicine and neuroscience.

Neuroplasticity: the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections throughout life.

Working memory: the ability to keep information current for a short period while using this information. Working memory is used for controlling attention, and deficits in working memory capacity lead to attention problems.

ABOUT NEAL COHEN, PSY.D

Neal Cohen, Psy.D., SharpBrains Head Brain Fitness Coach, is a licensed psychologist with expertise in neurocognitive and psychological testing; memory training; AD/HD; and learning disabilities. Dr. Cohen has spent more than a decade studying how mental exercise and stress management can improve human behavior and performance.

Dr. Cohen earned his Masters Degree and Doctorate of Psychology at the Georgia School of Professional Psychology. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy, Magna Cum Laude, from Boston University. Dr. Cohen is a licensed provider of working memory training, with a private practice in Roswell, GA.

ABOUT SHARPBRAINS

SharpBrains.com is the first online brain fitness center to provide education and tools to help people of all ages and skill levels achieve improved brain function by exercising their minds. Through personalized, computer-based brain fitness programs, SharpBrains helps individuals improve memory, concentration, decision-making and planning skills, reaction time, stress management, and other core capacities, as well as help delay the onset of age-related dementias. The company also offers education about the science behind the technology, support tools and one-on-one assistance from online brain fitness coaches to optimize mental training sessions.

A person’s brain is constantly undergoing neurogenesis, the creation of new neurons and connections between neurons. The more active a particular brain cell is, the more connections it develops. SharpBrains’ programs are designed to work out these cells with targeted mental exercises.