We at HeartWise Fitness & Longevity center strive to offer cutting edge diagnostic and treatment modalities that help ensure our patients' physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Although we always espouse the traditional medical model, we know that Western medicine does not have all the answers. I have always adhered to the philosophy of "looking outside the box" to find solutions for my patients' health issues, especially when traditional therapies fail. I call this integrative or global medicine and it is this paradigm shift that marks 21st century medicine.

Chronic stress can lead to  generalized anxiety, depression, and insomnia all of which can depress our immune system and set the stage for disease. The same holds true for post traumatic stress disorder(PTSD). It is doubtful that stress is going to leave us in the near future. It's how we deal with stress that makes the difference.

I am proud to announce a wellness modality that may help many patients who suffer from anxiety, PTSD, addiction, ADD/ADHD, autism and Asperger's Syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorders and depression. This is a form of neurofeedback called LENS (Low Energy Neurofeedback Systems). The objective in LENS is to help free the brain to optimize itself.

Most of us have had to deal with loss and trauma as we age. Our brains have been conditioned over the years to deal with such trauma by developing methods to ensure our survival. Unfortunately, these systems may not be the terribly helpful and constructive. So the brain sets up defenses which eventually lead to neural gridlock, akin to the gridlock on our freeways! LENS is a remarkable treatment that allows the brain to "cancel and delete" or 'reboot" allowing us to take on more constructive and healthy patterns to deal with stressful events, while deleting those patterns that no longer suit us.

The great thing about LENS is that you don't do, feel or take anything. Indeed no pharmaceuticals are prescribed.. This is not therapy in the usual sense, and there is no pontificating about your problems. This is entirely a passive system. All you have to do is simply  sit there, as your brain does the work. It communicates with a software system that causes slight fluctuations in your brain waves. This allows your brain to reorganize and better regulate itself.

Another great thing about LENS is that the number of sessions is finite. Optimal functioning requires anywhere from 10-20 sessions depending on the issues on hand and the scope of the disability of the individual patient. Improvements with severe autism or recovery from stroke generally take longer. Moreover, it doesn't take many sessions to see if this modality is right for you. Generally within 3-4 sessions you should be experiencing a positive shift.

Clinical studies support the effectiveness of LENS. More than 75,000 patients have been treated, with the great majority achieving significant and enduring relief.

I was introduced to LENS nearly 2 years ago, during an  extremely unsettling time for me which resulted in a major flare up of my own anxiety. There was a certain feeling of levity that I felt from the very first session. Fortunately, 8 sessions was all that I needed. I continue to revisit LENS and I must say that I am experiencing a greater level of feeling grounded and self satisfied than I can ever remember.

By  the first of next year we will be scheduling LENS sessions by appointment only here at HeartWise. I am so pleased to be adding yet another service that has benefited me personally, as well as countless others.

You all know me as the Medical Advocate. It is my sincere wish to encourage and assist all of you to get into the driver's seat when it comes to your own individual state of wellness. And as your medical advocate, get and stay on the road to a rich and healthy lifestyle!

You can read more about LENS at: http://thedubinclinic.com/

Dr. Elkin is a board-certified internist, cardiologist and anti-aging medical specialist.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE / DISCLAIMER: I am offering—always—only general information and my own opinion on this blog. Always contact your physician or a health professional before starting any treatments, exercise programs or using supplements. ©Howard Elkin MD FACC, 2012

* Originally Published Friday, December 7, 2012