NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITIVE REHABILITATION:

 A Brain-Centered Perspective

From the insights of Monique J. Tremaine, PhD (Interview 1/22/2026)

Neuropsychology sits at the intersection of brain science, behavior, cognition, and lived human experience. Through more than two decades of clinical practice, teaching, and program leadership, Dr. Monique J. Tremaine has developed a perspective that challenges long-standing silos between “mental health” and “cognitive function.” From her vantage point, these are not parallel domains—they are expressions of the same integrated brain system, shaped by biology, environment, personality, and context. Her work in neuropsychological assessment, cognitive rehabilitation, and emerging technologies offers a clinically grounded vision of how the brain adapts, recovers, and evolves across injury, illness, and life transitions.

 

What Is Neuropsychology?

Neuropsychology is the discipline devoted to understanding how brain structure and function translate into thinking, emotion, behavior, and performance. Unlike approaches that isolate symptoms, neuropsychology examines patterns—how attention, processing speed, memory, executive function, language, and emotional regulation interact in real life. Dr. Tremaine emphasizes that cognition and mental health cannot be separated without losing clinical meaning. The regulatory relationship between the frontal lobes and the limbic system, for example, lies at the core of both mood disorders and many cognitive syndromes. When regulation falters—whether due to trauma, disease, or stress—the entire system is affected.

From this perspective, neuropsychology is not merely diagnostic. It is interpretive. It asks not only what is impaired, but how that impairment alters a person’s ability to function within their family, profession, and environment. This holistic lens is foundational to effective rehabilitation.

Neuroplasticity: Capacity, Variability, and Context

A central theme in Dr. Tremaine’s work is neuroplasticity—the brain’s capacity to reorganize and adapt. While the concept is widely invoked, her clinical experience underscores its complexity. Two individuals with identical brain pathology may show dramatically different symptoms and recovery trajectories. One may be conversational and oriented despite extensive imaging findings; another may be profoundly disrupted with minimal visible injury.

This variability, she explains, reflects the interplay of biological resilience, demographic factors such as age, environmental support, personality structure, access to resources, and goal demands. Plasticity is not automatic rewiring. Natural recovery occurs as the brain heals, but directed activity within a supportive environment is what creates meaningful change. Cognitive rehabilitation, when properly designed and individually tailored, becomes a mechanism for guiding plasticity rather than passively waiting for it.

Cognitive Rehabilitation as an Integrated Process

Cognitive rehabilitation, as practiced under Dr. Tremaine’s leadership, is not a single therapy but a coordinated system. Neuropsychological assessment serves as the engine—carefully selected tests identify specific deficits rather than offering generic profiles. Test selection and interpretation is both an art and a science, tailored to the individual’s etiology, background, and environmental demands.

From there, rehabilitation unfolds within an interdisciplinary framework. Occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, psychology, and vocational rehabilitation are not siloed services but aligned contributors to shared goals. Each discipline addresses cognitive functions through its own lens, while neuropsychology maintains a metacognitive and integrative role—linking cognition, emotion, insight, and strategy use.

Importantly, Dr. Tremaine advocates for expanding assessment beyond pathology to include personality structure: openness to change, flexibility, locus of control, and adaptability. Brain injury affects the whole person and their family system; rehabilitation must reflect that reality.

Technology, Judgment, and the Human Clinician

Dr. Tremaine’s consultation work in virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) places her at the forefront of rehabilitation innovation. She traces AI’s conceptual roots to neuropsychology itself—pattern recognition, learning models, and language processing were first mapped through brain science. Yet she remains clear-eyed about its limits.

AI and VR, in her view, excel at data collection, performance tracking, and simulated environments that clinics cannot replicate. They can predict next steps based on prior performance and create immersive, adaptive challenges. What they cannot replace is clinical judgment. Ethics, contextual understanding, and the nuanced interpretation of human behavior remain clinician-driven responsibilities.

Rather than fearing displacement, Dr. Tremaine envisions clinicians as stewards of technology—shaping tools with guardrails, ensuring they serve patients rather than dictate care. Neuropsychology, with its deep ethical training and systems-level understanding, is positioned to lead that stewardship.

Evidence, Innovation, and Clinical Caution

Her stance on adjunctive brain technologies reflects a balance of openness and rigor. Neurofeedback, QEEG, and neuromodulation approaches are theoretically compelling, yet she emphasizes the need for robust, evidence-based validation—particularly in brain injury populations. Treatments may hold promise, but adoption without sufficient data risks overdiagnosis, misapplication, or false assurance.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), while FDA-approved for depression, illustrates another challenge: access and regulation. Even effective tools may remain out of reach for many patients, reinforcing the need for equitable, evidence-guided integration rather than hype-driven enthusiasm.

 

Life Stages, Hormones, and Cognitive Change

Dr. Tremaine also highlights underexplored domains such as menopause and other hormonally driven life transitions. Cognitive changes—slower processing speed, word-finding difficulty, attention disruption—mirror patterns seen in concussion and post-viral syndromes. Yet cognitive rehabilitation remains largely reactive, authorized only after injury rather than as preventative care.

She argues that the techniques already used in rehabilitation could be applied earlier, reframing cognitive care as maintenance rather than repair. Longitudinal neuropsychological baselines, taken across adulthood, could allow individuals to be compared to themselves rather than population norms—an underutilized but powerful concept.

Post-COVID Brain Fog and Functional Cognition

Post-COVID cognitive sequelae further illustrate her core principle: intellect often remains intact, while the foundational drivers of intellect—attention, processing speed, working memory—are compromised. When these systems falter, people feel “less sharp,” even though reasoning ability persists.

Cognitive rehabilitation addresses this through strategy training, environmental modification, repetitive practice, and mindfulness-based attentional control. The goal is not to “restore intelligence,” but to optimize the systems that allow intelligence to function.

Looking Ahead: Measurement, Ethics, and Evolution

When asked about the future of neuropsychology, Dr. Tremaine looks beyond symptom tracking toward real-time measurement of brain change—perhaps even at cellular or network levels. Wearables and neural interfaces hint at what may be possible, but she stresses caution. Scientific advancement without ethical oversight invites harm. Her vision places clinicians at the center of innovation, balancing curiosity with responsibility. As brain-based technologies grow more immersive and influential, neuropsychology’s role expands—not only as a diagnostic specialty, but as a guiding conscience for how society engages with the brain.

A Unifying View of the Brain

Through her work, Dr. Tremaine offers a unifying framework: cognition, emotion, personality, and environment are inseparable expressions of brain function. Neuropsychology, when practiced with depth and humility, becomes both a science and a translation—turning complex neural data into meaningful human recovery. Cognitive rehabilitation, in turn, becomes not just treatment, but a guided partnership with the brain’s capacity to adapt, heal, and evolve.

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PART 2 —

Functional Cognition, Cognitive Rehabilitation, and Neuroplasticity: A Collaborative Perspective

Written by: Robert L. Bard, MD, DABR, FAIUM, FASLMS

Functional cognition does not exist in isolation. It is the outward expression of an integrated biological system—neuronal signaling, vascular integrity, autonomic regulation, metabolic balance, and lived experience converging in real time. As diagnostic imaging specialists, we are trained to look beneath symptoms, to identify physiological contributors that shape how cognition performs, adapts, and recovers. This is precisely where collaboration with neuropsychology, as exemplified by the work of Monique J. Tremaine, PhD, becomes not only valuable but essential.

Cognitive rehabilitation is most effective when it is grounded in measurable biology. Neuroplasticity—the brain’s capacity to adapt through targeted experience—is not an abstract concept; it is influenced by blood flow dynamics, neural connectivity, autonomic tone, and regional metabolic demand. When neuropsychological assessment identifies deficits in attention, processing speed, executive function, or emotional regulation, advanced imaging can help contextualize why those deficits are occurring and how they may evolve with intervention.

Over the past two decades, my work has focused on noninvasive imaging approaches that complement cognitive science. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound allows us to evaluate cerebral blood flow velocity and vascular responsiveness—critical factors in cognitive stamina, processing speed, and recovery potential. Functional blood flow imaging offers insight into perfusion asymmetries that may correlate with attentional bias, fatigue, or executive inefficiency. Optical scanning technologies extend this analysis by examining microvascular and tissue-level dynamics that traditional structural imaging may overlook.

Equally important is the autonomic nervous system, particularly the vagus nerve, which plays a central role in cognitive-emotional regulation, stress response, and neuroinflammatory balance. Vagus nerve scanning provides objective data on parasympathetic integrity—data that aligns closely with neuropsychological observations of mood regulation, adaptability, and resilience. When cognitive rehabilitation targets attention, emotional modulation, or stress tolerance, autonomic metrics help validate and refine those efforts.

What makes this collaboration powerful is not redundancy, but complementarity. Neuropsychology defines functional impact, adaptive capacity, and behavioral strategy. Advanced imaging defines physiological context and constraint. Together, they transform cognitive rehabilitation from a compensatory model into a precision-guided process—one that respects individual variability rather than forcing standardized expectations.

Dr. Tremaine’s emphasis on individualized assessment, environmental context, and personality structure aligns directly with what imaging has long demonstrated: two patients with similar pathology rarely behave—or recover—the same way. Imaging confirms variability; neuropsychology translates it into meaningful care.

The future of brain health will not belong to any single discipline. It will be built through collaboration between cognitive science, diagnostic imaging, rehabilitation medicine, and ethical clinical leadership. When neuropsychologists and imaging specialists work together, neuroplasticity becomes measurable, functional cognition becomes explainable, and recovery becomes both scientifically grounded and human-centered.

This is not parallel work—it is shared science.

 

Peer-Reviewed Study Validates PEMF Technology for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

LOUISVILLE, KY, May 8, 2025—Aura Wellness today announced groundbreaking research demonstrating the effectiveness of its Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) technology in treating benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The study, published in the Journal of Regenerative Medicine and Biology Research, showed an average 27% decrease in prostate size over 30 days with no adverse effects.

The research, conducted by Dr. Roberta Kline from the Department of Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine at the University of Western States in association with Lennard Goetze PHD, Robert Bard MD, and Paul Dreschnak MD, examined three case studies of males with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who received pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) Bio Energy Technology sessions using Aura Wellness's Nova HD devices.

Bard / Dreschnack

"My family has a history of prostate issues, and when one was told that it was their turn, we put an eight-week plan in place that was very successful, which led to further research," said Ms. Alane Ziemer Paulley, President of Aura Wellness. "This study represents a significant advancement in non-invasive approaches to a condition affecting over 80% of men by age 80."

BPH is the most common benign urological condition in males, often requiring medical or surgical interventions that can carry risks and aren't always effective. As explained by Ms. Ziemer Paulley, the Aura Wellness PEMF technology works by enhancing cellular oxygenation and blood flow to the affected area, reducing inflammation, and enabling the body to heal itself.

The research team developed a moderate dosing structure that would be comfortable for all participants and sustainable schedules that the participants could easily follow. Beyond the measurable reduction in prostate size, participants reported less pain and discomfort and improved urine flow, with initial changes typically noted within one week of starting the protocol.

"Inflammation and loss of vascular function are the root of many problems. Our model is to provide non-invasive procedures with no side effects to achieve optimum homeostasis," Ms. Ziemer Paulley noted. "In concert, this could reduce the need for surgery and the amount of drugs needed."

Aura Wellness provided and directed the operations of the Nova HD devices, while Dr. Kline and her associates independently conducted the scientific research with no further involvement from Aura Wellness. The study's independent status enhances its credibility, and its findings could have far-reaching implications for men's health.

"Any validation step forward helps the medical community accept the PEMF modality," said Ms. Ziemer Paulley. "Aura Wellness and Magnawave are actively involved in facilitating research in the human and veterinary fields."

Looking ahead, Ziemer Paulley believes that "early application as a routine could significantly reduce the onset of prostate issues," potentially transforming the standard approach to age-related prostate conditions.

Dr. Kline states: "One of the biggest challenges for healthcare professionals is that the research often lags behind our clinical knowledge and experience with new technologies. This report on a series of case studies is an important step in advancing our understanding of PEMF and its use in addressing common disorders such as BPH". 

About Aura Wellness:
Founded by second-generation leader Alane Ziemer Paulley and her parents, Pat and Debi Ziemer, Aura Wellness has been a leader in advocating for the advancement of PEMF Bio-Energy Technology since its establishment as a sister company to Magnawave PEMF six years ago. The companies offer health and wellness solutions for both people and animals, utilizing PEMF and Red Light therapy. With one device already FDA 510 (k) cleared, and another is on track for clearance by mid-2025, Aura Wellness is committed to becoming a global leader in the PEMF industry. For more information, visit https://Aurawell.com or https://MagnawavePEMF.com.

Case Study:  https://tinyurl.com/pemfstudy

Five Article Concepts Inspired by the New Aura Wellness BPH Study

1. “From Scalpel to Signal: How Non‑Invasive PEMF Is Rewriting BPH Treatment”
   Angle: Contrast traditional drug / surgical options with the study’s 27 % prostate‑size reduction using Nova HD PEMF sessions.
   Key points to explore: the risks of current therapies, study methodology, patient‐reported benefits, and why cellular oxygenation and blood‑flow modulation matter in prostate health.

2. “Inside the Lab: The Independent Research Team Validating Aura Wellness’s Nova HD Device”
   Angle: Profile Dr. Roberta Kline and colleagues, emphasizing their work's independence and how this boosts PEMF's clinical credibility.
   Key points: The research design, dosing protocol, data collection, and future trials they envision. For narrative depth, include quotes from Kline, Ziemer , and Paulley.

3. “Beyond Pain Relief: What PEMF’s Success in BPH Means for Other Age‑Related Men’s Health Issues”
   Angle: Use the BPH findings as a springboard to discuss broader applications—ED, chronic prostatitis, pelvic pain—highlighting inflammation and vascular function as common denominators.
   Key points: Mechanistic overview, existing literature, and next research frontiers Aura Wellness is exploring.

4. “Early Intervention, Better Outcomes: Making Routine PEMF Part of Men’s Preventive Health”
   Angle: Build a persuasive case for incorporating moderate‑dose PEMF into regular wellness checkups for men over 40.
   Key points: the epidemiology of BPH, the study’s quick one‑week symptom improvements, the ease of home or clinic protocols, and potential cost savings by reducing medications and surgeries.

5. “Family Legacy, Global Vision: How Aura Wellness Is Scaling PEMF for Human and Veterinary Care”
   Angle: A business‑plus‑science feature on the Ziemer family’s journey—from Magnawave roots to Aura Wellness’s FDA‑cleared pipeline and cross‑species research partnerships.
   Key points: Company history, red‑light synergy, upcoming 510(k) milestones, and how veterinary successes inform human applications.

Media Contact: Heather Bivins | HBivins@vwcpro.com | 1-502-445-3177

OLYA PICCIRILLO: A BIOENERGETIC PATH TO EMPOWERED HEALING

Interview by: Lennard M. Goetze, Ed.D

As healthcare continues its evolution beyond the walls of traditional clinics, a growing number of patients and practitioners are embracing non-invasive and integrative healing modalities to address chronic illness, hormonal imbalances, and emotional trauma. From photobiomodulation and frequency therapies to energetic diagnostics and trauma-informed care, the alternative wellness space is undergoing a powerful renaissance — fueled by both technology and empathy. More than ever, patients are seeking approaches that look beyond symptom suppression to address the root causes of imbalance. These innovations are not replacing traditional medicine but rather filling the gaps where mainstream care too often falls short.

At the heart of this movement is an expanding network of global wellness professionals, who collaborate across disciplines, share methodologies, and offer support in both digital and in-person settings. This collective mindset — where acupuncturists work alongside energy medicine practitioners, and diagnostics specialists exchange insights with trauma healers — has created a vibrant, community-led model of care. It was through these dynamic wellness channels that we were introduced to Olya Piccirillo, a bioenergetic wellness practitioner whose multidimensional approach to healing offers a compelling example of what this new paradigm looks like in action.

FROM BREAKDOWN TO BREAKTHROUGH: Olya’s Path to Bioenergetic Healing

Olya Piccirillo is a certified bioenergetic wellness practitioner whose practice blends science, deep inner awareness, and lived experience. Her journey into the healing arts began not from academic curiosity, but necessity — a mission forged through personal suffering and frustration with conventional medicine’s limits. In her twenties, Olya endured an overwhelming array of chronic conditions: endometriosis, migraines, IBS, hormonal disruption, and depression. “I realized I was so sick, in a way broken, and nothing was working,” she recalls. “Doctors looked at me like it was all in my head. Antidepressants were the first suggestion — but that wasn’t healing. That was suppression.”

Disenchanted with the mainstream system’s focus on managing symptoms rather than seeking causes, Olya began a self-guided exploration into integrative modalities. This led to the development of her unique, multidimensional wellness approach — one that combines bioenergetic scanning, emotional trauma release, nutritional coaching, and customized lifestyle strategies. Her core belief: “There is never one perfect modality. Each person is a unique puzzle, and healing requires assembling the right pieces for that individual.”

THE TECHNOLOGY OF ENERGY

At the heart of Olya’s work is a bioenergetic assessment—technology that explores the body’s energetic signals to detect imbalances, sometimes long before they surface as physical illness. “It’s like a lie detector for the body,” she explains. “The machine reads your energetic reaction to stressors, and the data is displayed in categories and numbers. Elevated markers suggest what’s draining or disrupting the system.”

Her main equipment, based on German-engineered and American-updated technology, was introduced to her by Dr. Lee Woolley — a pioneer in the field of frequency-based healing. Though the system she uses is from 2008, she emphasizes it’s not about having the newest machine. “It still gives me the information I need — the rest is what I do with it.”

The process includes clients holding a grounding rod while the device evaluates organ stress, toxicity levels, emotional blockages, and even genetic tendencies. These insights form the basis of her customized protocols, which often include cold laser therapy (photobiomodulation), homeopathy, trauma and emotional detox, and regenerative tools like stem cell-activating patches.

“There are so many ways to heal,” she says. “When we learn how to use them — even at home — we start shifting energy, belief, and biology.”

Healing Beyond the Physical

One of the defining aspects of Olya’s practice is her trauma-informed lens. She sees unresolved emotional wounds as central to many physical conditions. “Even our physical pain can be impacted by the internalized emotions from childhood. I learned my symptoms were rooted in trauma — not just toxins or hormones.” In her view, emotional repression can compromise organs just as significantly as infections or inflammation.

She applies this insight especially to women in midlife transitions — perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. “We’ve been told to accept the decline. That low energy, weight gain, insomnia, and low libido are just part of getting older. But that’s not true. It’s our right to feel good at any age,” she asserts.

Olya believes the conventional approach to women's aging often pathologizes normal shifts or overlooks hormonal nuances. She advocates for nutritional adaptation, gentle movement, mind-body integration, and respect for individuality. “What works at 30 doesn’t work at 50. We need practitioners who understand that.”

From Personal Loss to Public Purpose

Her conviction also stems from personal tragedy. When her husband was diagnosed with melanoma, Olya witnessed firsthand the demoralizing rigidity of conventional oncology. “We were told he had three months to live. No one talked about nutrition, about hope. It was devastating,” she recounts. Refusing to accept a prognosis steeped in finality, she sought out complementary therapies that ultimately extended his life by nearly two years. “If I knew then what I know now, he might still be alive. That experience changed me — it gave me a mission.”

Building a Collaborative Future

Olya’s passion for integrative health has led her to seek alliances with forward-thinking clinicians, acupuncturists, hydrotherapists, and diagnostic experts. One such partnership is with Dr. Robert Bard, a pioneer in non-invasive diagnostic imaging. Introduced to his work by a longtime client, Olya was impressed by his precision scans that detect physiological issues early. “His technology offers clarity — it eliminates the guesswork and confirms what I see in my energetic assessments.”

Together, their mutual respect for proactive, non-invasive diagnostics strengthens both of their practices. “When you pair energetic feedback with visual imaging, you get a much fuller picture of what’s going on — often before symptoms appear or bloodwork reflects it.”

A Voice for Change

While she continues her one-on-one work, Olya’s impact has expanded. She speaks on global platforms and has created her own summits to share her message far beyond her treatment room. “People still think their only options are medications or surgery. But health isn’t symptom suppression. Health is healing,” she insists. “There are many paths up the mountain — we just need to know they exist.”

Her message to women in midlife is both personal and universal: “Midlife doesn’t mean decline. I want every woman to awaken her inner goddess — to know she can feel vibrant, powerful, and whole again.”

CONCLUSION

As editors dedicated to exploring the evolving landscape of wellness, we continue to seek out practitioners who are not only transforming individual lives but also helping to reshape the future of healthcare. In Olya Piccirillo, we’ve found a practitioner whose work bridges science, energy, emotion, and empowerment — the very elements that define the next frontier of healing. Her unwavering dedication to non-invasive protocols, personalized care, and emotional healing reflects a growing shift toward healthcare models that honor the full complexity of the human experience.

Olya is part of a rapidly expanding global network of visionary healers, educators, and integrative specialists who believe that patients deserve more than symptom management — they deserve clarity, compassion, and choice. She stands with a new generation of independent care providers who are redefining what it means to be well. For the countless individuals searching for answers outside of the conventional system, her work offers not just hope — but a path forward.

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Olya Piccirillo is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, Bio-Energetic Scan Expert, and founder of Bio-Matrix, a wellness practice dedicated to mind-body transformation and personalized healing. After decades of battling chronic migraines, endometriosis, and depression — and frustrated by conventional medicine’s limited solutions — Olya turned to holistic healing in her early twenties. Her journey intensified after losing her husband to cancer in 1997, driving her deeper into the study of immunity, longevity, and the emotional roots of illness. Today, Olya integrates Eastern healing wisdom with Western science through bio-energetic technology, addressing the physical, emotional, genetic, and spiritual aspects of health. Formerly a celebrated aesthetician featured in Allure Magazine as one of New York City’s top facialists, Olya now helps clients eliminate pain, heal trauma, and restore vitality. She specializes in mind-body balance, midlife healing, stress management, and anti-aging, inspiring others to reclaim their health and age on their own terms.

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RECLAIMING WHOLENESS: THE INTEGRATIVE VISION OF OLYA PICCIRILLO

by Dr. Robert L. Bard

Thanks to the ever-expanding reach of platforms like LinkedIn, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with some of the most courageous and insightful healers working beyond the boundaries of conventional medicine. Among them, one champion stands out: Ms. Olya Piccirillo, a gifted bioenergetic wellness practitioner whose work redefines what it means to heal.

Olya’s journey into holistic healing is deeply personal, born from a courageous confrontation with her own debilitating health challenges. Where others might have accepted defeat or conventional medicine’s symptom-centered limitations, Olya chose to ask deeper questions — seeking to understand the true roots of chronic illness through the interconnected influences of trauma, emotional well-being, environmental factors, and ancestral health. This spirit of inquiry and fearless advocacy resonates with those of us who believe in treating the whole person, not just isolated symptoms.

What inspires me most about Olya is her unwavering commitment to the underserved — particularly women navigating the midlife transitions of perimenopause and menopause, a demographic too often overlooked or dismissed by mainstream healthcare. Olya’s mission is to challenge the passive narratives of decline associated with aging, advocating instead for a dynamic, empowered, and personalized path to wholeness. Her multidimensional approach — blending bioenergetic technology, trauma release, nutritional guidance, and age-appropriate movement — offers a fresh, hopeful perspective in a world hungry for authentic solutions.

I was first introduced to Olya’s work through her long-term client who shared her story (about me). What struck me was not only her breadth of knowledge but the heart-centered philosophy that guides her practice. Her embrace of integrative collaboration — partnering with functional medicine experts, acupuncturists, hydrotherapists, and diagnostic specialists — reflects a modern, open-minded healer who understands the value of combining ancient wisdom with advanced science.

Olya’s resilience, shaped by personal loss and professional discovery, serves as a testament to the power of alternative therapeutic care. Her dedication to creating awareness through future summits, speaking engagements, and international collaborations underscores a vision I share: that health is not merely the absence of disease, but an active, intentional journey toward vitality and self-realization.

It’s an honor to spotlight a professional whose work is transforming lives by reminding us that healing is our birthright, and that the path to wellness is as unique as each individual. I look forward to witnessing the continued growth of Olya’s mission and to future collaborations in advancing integrative, patient-centered care.

 

WHAT IS PHASE ANGLE? Advacement in Bioenergy Metrics in Regenerative Medicine

Authored by: Dr. Leslie Valle-Montoya

PHASE ANGLE is a measurement used in bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)—a technology that sends a small, safe electrical signal through the body to learn about your health. The phase angle tells us how well your cells are functioning.  Your cells are like tiny batteries. A higher phase angle usually means your cells are healthy, strong, and holding their shape well—like fresh grapes. A lower phase angle may suggest weaker or damaged cells—like dried-up raisins. This number can help doctors or wellness professionals understand your body’s overall condition, hydration, and cellular health in our health span.  It’s often used in wellness, sports, and medical settings to track changes, especially during aging, illness, or nutritional programs.

Through the clinical work and mentorship of Dr. Robert Bard (BardDiagnostics NYC) and his recent presentation at the AIUM World Converence, advanced ultrasound systems can reveal the health of tissues in the present moment by measuring health and longevity through carotid artery ultrasound. This test looks at the major arteries in your neck that supply blood to your brain. It can measure how thick or stiff the artery walls are, which tells us how healthy your blood vessels are and how much plaque might be building up. Thinner, more flexible arteries mean better circulation and a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.

Together, phase angle and carotid ultrasound give a deeper picture of your internal health—from your cells to your circulation—and help guide wellness plans that support long-term vitality and longevity.

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Phase Angle: The Impact of Regenerative Therapies on Cellular Health

Key Takeaways

● Phase angle has emerged as a useful marker for assessing health risks, including morbidity and mortality, across a range of clinical scenarios. In this study, 22 participants—some healthy and others managing chronic conditions—were included.

● The findings provide average phase angle values for both men and women, offering insight into how these values vary by sex.

● Phase angle tends to increase steadily from early childhood through adolescence, to stabilize between ages 19 and 48, and then gradually to decline with age.

● These reference values can be a valuable tool for evaluating an individual's health status in a clinical setting.

Abstract
This study investigates the effects of regenerative therapies on cellular health and function using BioImpedance and Phase Angle Analysis. A pre-post intervention design was implemented, assessing phase angle as a marker of cellular integrity before and after treatment. Our findings demonstrate a statistically significant increase in phase angle, suggesting improved cell membrane function and overall vitality.

Introduction
Phase angle, derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), is gaining recognition as a meaningful indicator of overall health. It reflects the relationship between resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) in body tissues. Lower phase angle values have been linked to cellular stress, membrane dysfunction, and impaired tissue integrity. Factors such as chronic illness, inflammation, malnutrition, and poor lifestyle habits can negatively impact the body’s electrical properties, which are captured in the phase angle. 

Recent studies show that individuals with chronic or acute illness often have reduced phase angle values, potentially indicating accelerated aging and diminished cellular regeneration. Because the phase angle is influenced by cell membrane integrity, cell size, and overall tissue health, having baseline reference values is essential for identifying deviations that might signal underlying health issues.

This study highlights the importance of understanding phase angle across different life stages. As anti-aging and wellness trends continue to grow, phase angle offers a promising, non-invasive window into cellular vitality and the aging process. Methods Study Design This was a single-group, pre-post intervention study conducted at the Santa Barbara Longevity Center. The goal was to assess the effects of a comprehensive cellular regeneration program on physiological markers of health and vitality. Participants underwent testing before and after the  Intervention to measure changes in autonomic function and cellular health.

Assessments
Two primary assessments were used to evaluate outcomes:

● Heart Rate Variability (HRV): Non-invasive HRV testing was used to assess autonomic nervous system balance and stress resilience.

● Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA): Phase angle was calculated as a marker of cellular integrity and vitality, based on resistance and reactance values. Both HRV and bioimpedance assessments were performed prior to the first session and again after completion of the full program.

Intervention Protocol
Each participant received a series of eight sessions over the course of four weeks. The program included the following therapies at each session:

● Ondamed Frequency Therapy: A bioenergetic treatment using pulsed electromagnetic fields to modulate cellular communication and support tissue regeneration.

● H-Wave Therapy: A form of electrotherapy designed to enhance blood flow, reduce inflammation, and stimulate lymphatic drainage and muscle recovery.

● Red Light Therapy: Low-level light therapy aimed at stimulating mitochondrial function, promoting cellular repair, and enhancing skin and tissue health.

● Infrared Sauna & Cold Plunge: A contrast therapy combining heat and cold exposure to support detoxification, reduce systemic inflammation, and improve circulation and recovery.

All sessions were conducted in a controlled wellness setting and overseen by trained practitioners. Participants were advised to maintain their usual diet and activity levels throughout the study period.

Measurements
Primary outcome measure: Phase Angle (PA) assessed before and after intervention using BioImpedance Analysis. Statistical analysis: Paired t-tests were used to determine significant changes, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) computed for phase angle pre- and post-intervention.

Results
Pre-Post Analysis

● Mean Phase Angle Before Treatment: 6.28 (95% CI: 5.71 – 6.84)

● Mean Phase Angle After Treatment: 6.86 (95% CI: 6.32 – 7.40)

● T-Statistic: -3.39

● P-Value: 0.0037

A statistically significant increase in phase angle was observed, indicating enhanced cellular membrane integrity and metabolic efficiency.

Discussion
The results of this study indicate that the combined use of frequency-based, circulatory, and metabolic-enhancing therapies can lead to measurable improvements in cellular health, as evidenced by a consistent increase in phase angle values among participants. Phase angle is recognized as a reliable marker of cell membrane integrity and intracellular hydration—both of which are essential indicators of biological vitality and resilience. An upward shift in this value suggests enhanced membrane stability, improved cellular function, and better overall physiological status.

Notably, several participants experienced remarkable improvements over the four-week intervention period:

● Subject 1: Phase angle increased from 5.4 to 6.6

● Subject 2: Phase angle increased from 6.0 to 6.9

● Subject 3: Phase angle increased from 6.5 to 8.0

● Subject 4: Phase angle increased from 4.4 to 5.2

These changes are particularly significant given how challenging it is to raise phase angle in such a short timeframe. In clinical settings, even small increases in phase angle are considered meaningful, making these improvements—some exceeding 1.0 or even 1.5 units—especially noteworthy. These outcomes suggest a strong regenerative effect from the combination of therapies delivered during the study.

The interventions likely worked synergistically to support cellular function from multiple angles. Ondamed Frequency Therapy may have restored bioenergetic balance and enhanced intercellular communication. H-Wave Therapy likely promoted microcirculation and lymphatic flow, accelerating nutrient delivery and metabolic waste removal. Red Light Therapy's activation of mitochondrial pathways likely played a role in boosting ATP production and cellular repair. Meanwhile, infrared sauna and cold plunge contrast therapy supported detoxification, reduced inflammation, and enhanced vascular tone. Taken together, the multimodal approach appears to foster a biological environment conducive to regeneration and resilience. These findings are consistent with a growing body of evidence positioning bioimpedance-derived phase angle as a valuable biomarker for health status, aging, and response to therapeutic interventions.

Conclusion
This study provides compelling preliminary evidence that integrative regenerative therapies can significantly enhance cellular function, as demonstrated by substantial increases in bioimpedance phase angle across multiple participants. These results are particularly remarkable given the short duration of the intervention—just four weeks—which typically is not long enough to yield such dramatic improvements in cellular health markers.

The data support the clinical relevance of using phase angle as a biomarker in wellness-focused and longevity-based care. These therapies—ranging from frequency-based modulation to mitochondrial stimulation and detoxification—may play a vital role in improving healthspan and supporting the body's intrinsic repair mechanisms. Future research should aim to expand the sample size, evaluate long-term effects, and incorporate additional objective biomarkers such as inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress markers, mitochondrial function assays, and epigenetic age testing. A broader dataset could further validate the impact of these therapies and refine protocols for individualized health optimization and age-related decline prevention.

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MEASUREMENT OF CELLULAR VITALITY AND SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION

By: Matthew Einsohn, RSG

Phase Angle measurements are giving us a way to watch the body rebuild itself — from the inside out. A 9.2% increase in phase angle—from 6.28 to 6.86—in just 4 weeks? That's not just a statistical uptick; it's a substantial leap in cellular health. In the realm of phase angle analysis, even a 0.2 shift is noteworthy. Dr. Leslie Valle-Montoya's preliminary findings underscore the potential of targeted regenerative therapies to effect meaningful biological change in a relatively short time. [1][2]

But here's where it gets even more compelling: phase angle isn't solely a marker of cellular vitality; it's emerging as a non-invasive indicator of systemic inflammation. A study published in Nutrients found that lower phase angle values were significantly associated with higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a well-established marker of inflammation . This association remained significant even after adjusting for factors like age, BMI, and physical activity. [1][2]

Imagine the implications: a simple, non-invasive measurement that provides insights into both cellular integrity and inflammatory status. Now, envision a home-based wellness program—just two sessions a week, totaling eight per month—designed to consistently enhance your cellular health and reduce systemic inflammation.

Why the Medical Trend Is About GOING INDEPENDENT

By: Lennard Goetze, Ed.D

I would never fault any practitioner for the path they choose. For some, working within a hospital system offers structure, consistency, and a sense of security. For others, the pursuit of independence through private practice represents autonomy, innovation, and a deeper connection to purpose. A review of our current practitioners show significant achievements beyond clinical care; some have evolved to publishing and mentoring, others become part of research and technical innovations and yet more push the dial to become award-winning pioneers in the expansion of their specialized study.

Having experienced both models — and having observed countless colleagues navigate both lanes — one can only speak from the vantage point of personal experience. And what anyone can learn from this: "if you’re aiming to make a real difference in the lives of your patients, independence offers a unique kind of freedom".

THE POWER OF PERSONALIZED CARE

I recently finalized a biography of Dr. Robert Bard called "The Cancer Detective's Journal".  He is a board-certified radiologist with licenses in multiple states; he developed and directed over 22 diagnostic health programs focused on cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, wound healing, perimenopausal symptoms, and musculoskeletal injuries — conditions that one could only find medically fascinating but  also deeply meaningful to address. This diversity in services didn’t emerge from a corporate playbook. It came from listening to his patients, staying on top of emerging research, and designing care pathways that respond directly to unmet needs. His ability to constantly evolve is driven by a curiosity and a commitment to his patients — and that kind of flexibility simply isn’t possible within a rigid hospital framework. Systems tend to favor protocols and uniformity. Independent practice rewards innovation and patient-centric thinking.

CLINICAL FREEDOM AND EXPANSION
In his biopic, Dr. Bard stated, "Running a successful private practice does require effort — and more than a little entrepreneurial spirit. It demands that you build a following, manage operations, and sustain a patient workflow that allows room for growth. But in return, it offers something priceless: the ability to expand your expertise on your own terms."

Another role model in this independent thinking is one of his colleagues, Dr. Leslie Valle-Montoya  who retorts, "You’re free to pursue continuing education, add new services, experiment with integrative models, and tailor your offerings to what your community actually needs — not just what your employer permits. That agility translates to a more meaningful clinical life and, in many cases, better outcomes for patients who otherwise fall through the cracks of conventional care."

THE SHIFT TOWARD INDEPENDENT MEDICINE

We're seeing a growing number of physicians opt out of institutional employment and carve out their own space in the medical landscape — whether through solo practice, specialty clinics, direct primary care, or telehealth ventures. And it's not hard to see why. Burnout, bureaucracy, and disillusionment are widespread in corporate health care settings. Independent practitioners are reclaiming the essence of medicine: relationships, responsibility, and results.

Of course, independence isn’t easy. You take on more risk, more responsibility, and often more paperwork. But you also gain the satisfaction of practicing medicine the way it was meant to be practiced — with your judgment intact, your creativity engaged, and your patients at the center of everything.

CONCLUSION: THE ROAD TO IMPACT

Choosing private practice isn’t just a career move. For many of us, it’s a mission. It’s about restoring the doctor-patient relationship, building something that reflects your values, and being accountable to outcomes that truly matter. It’s not the right path for everyone, but for those of us drawn to it, independence isn’t just a trend — it’s a calling.

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"I could not echo the same sentiment more.  Independent practice, although it may seem scary and stressful, it is a "good stress."  Yes, institutional medicine may be right for some providers, but it does not allow the growth and progress that is necessary for optimal patient care or medical innovation, not to mention career satisfaction for many (myself included)". -  ANGELA MAZZA, DO  - Integrative Functional Endocrinology

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"I am a pharmacist by training (I own my own clinic), but patients seek me out because I develop a personal relationship with them. I think the art of listening to the patient is gone. Being independent allows the time to listen and that's where the best outcomes are found. I was taught that the new medical paradigm of specialization would allow more time for patients but that hasn't happened and in fact, it is worse as now doctors don't have time to speak to each other. It's tough running a business and seeing patients, but I think it's the only way to meet our patients expectations without being pressured to see more and more patients."  -  SCOTT BERLINER R.Ph. - Life Science Pharmacy

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"Being in private practice has given me the opportunity to explore emerging areas in medicine and to incorporate innovative approaches into my care. Unlike in a hospital system, private practice allows me to prioritize what is truly best for my patients in every interaction with total autonomy. That freedom has not only shaped my clinical approach but also fueled my passion for medicine. After 29 years, I can confidently say that private practice has allowed me to stay true to the values that first led me to medicine. The autonomy, flexibility, and ability to deliver deeply personalized care offer clear and lasting advantages."   -   STEPHEN CHAGARES, MD, FACS  - Breast/General/Minimally Invasive/Robotic Surgery 

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This article beautifully champions the movement toward independence in medicine, but what truly elevates it is the deeper, unspoken truth humming beneath the surface: independent practitioners aren’t just leaving institutions, they’re responding to a collective cry for something new.  This isn’t about faulting systems, it's about birthing a future that still honors the dream many doctors began with.  They don’t just seek freedom from bureaucracy, they pursue freedom to evolve.  The future of medicine is not “independent or institutional” — it’s integration led by inspiration. This piece plants a flag for a needed cultural shift, and I’d love to see it end with that shared vision: medicine as a living artform, evolving through us all.   - MATTHEW EINSOHN, TN

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"Working as an independent physician has advantages and disadvantages. No one is looking over your shoulder, ready to criticize you if you deviate from corporate policy. Patients are individuals, and their needs do not always match protocol. Most integrative/functional medicine doctors choose to practice independently. They employ primarily evidence-based practices outside the standard of care, which are treatments accepted by medical experts as proper for a particular disease.  As an integrative physician, I prefer the freedom of practicing independently. I enjoy my work, helping my patients, and benefitting from a large community of like-minded experts and dedicated independent practitioners." - Barbara Bartlik, MD (psychiatrist)

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LEGENDS IN ACTION

THE LEGACY OF A SCIENTIFIC TRAILBLAZER: Dr. Robert Langer’s impact on biotechnology and medicine is immeasurable. His work has saved countless lives, improved the quality of healthcare, and inspired generations of scientists. As research continues to evolve, his contributions serve as a foundation for future breakthroughs, ensuring that innovation in medical science remains vibrant and transformative. (see full spotlight)

Long Island cancer support advocate, GERI BARISH shares her uncompromising passion for her life’s work.  As co-founder of Hewlett House, Ms. Barish established a well-loved community learning resource center for cancer patients and their families. She and her staff have been serving the local community for over 28 years and have served tens of thousands of cancer patients and their families. (see full spotlight)

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DR. BARD'S FINDINGS THROUGHOUT TIME

Dr. Robert Bard has been recognized for his research and clinical care as well as his achievements that impacted the scientific community.  His reporting comes from a commitment to move the dial in technology to comport with the current standards in healthcare and its needs for upgrades.  As an imaging specialist and the 'cancer detective', his discoveries historically apply as 'game-changers' in the diagnostic community, where his published work memorialized landmarks that clearly helped affect medicine as we know it today. Here are some of those findings:

1) THE ULTRASOUND / DENSE BREAST DEBACLE

1976: Dr. Bard collaborated with pioneer developer Dr. Henry Leis to mitigate the limitations of Mammography- mainly that "mammo" underperformed when scanning past dense breast tissue (deeming early detection scans of dense breasts as false negatives). Remarkably, Dr. Bard's use of ultrasound imaging provided a reliable and supportive imaging for the mammogram, as it was able to see a tumor clearly through the breast density.

2022: Dr. Bard receives the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his research achievements in areas of breast cancer diagnostics. His top achievement was for his use of ultrasound to complement mammograpy for scanning dense breasts.

2024: U.S. Legislation was finally passed to mandate communicating breast density in all mammography centers, and the use of ultrasound is supported as a secondary scanning solution.

2) DECODING BIA-ALCL & THE TEXTURED IMPLANT

1978: After witnessing inflammatory conditions from his patients with textured implants, Dr. Bard wrote the first paper on BIA-ALCL, (Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma) a rare type of T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that can develop around textured breast implants

1996 to 2015: One hundred pathologically confirmed breast implant-associated ALCL cases were identified in the United States. Mean age at diagnosis was 53.2 ± 12.3 years. Mean interval from implant placement to diagnosis was 10.7 ± 4.6 years.

2019: Allergan voluntarily recalled its Biocell textured breast implants in August 2019

2023: In Australia, a "national outcry" arose regarding BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma), a rare type of lymphoma linked to some textured breast implants, leading to regulatory actions and increased awareness. 

3) MOBILIZING ELASTOGRAPHY TO THE WESTERN MARKET

1997: Elastography is a type of imaging test that checks for tissue, organ or tumor stiffness or elasticity- representing this in a dedicated color scale. As a performance upgrade to the Ultrasound, Transient and Shear Eave (SWE) elastography originated in Europe in the late 1990s, with the FibroScan system (Echosens, Paris, France). It was primarily used for liver assessment, a non-invasive technique, emerged as a viable alternative to liver biopsy for staging liver fibrosis.

2008: Thanks to his research and training in France, Dr. Bard was one of the first radiologists to gain access to Elastography, publishing the text on Elastography of the Carotid Artery/MICCAI and Image Guided Therapy 

2013: The FibroScan system, a commercially available elastography device was approved by the FDA in the United States. The FDA approved magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) software for breast lesions in 2014. 

 

[OUTLINE]

Title: The Independent Advantage: Why Private Practice Still Matters in Modern Medicine

Introduction

• Brief overview of the evolving landscape of healthcare

• Growing dominance of hospital systems and health conglomerates

• The value of the independent practitioner — why the conversation matters

Autonomy and Flexibility

• Clinical decision-making without bureaucratic interference

• The ability to set your own schedule, patient load, and treatment philosophy

• More personalized patient care

Deeper Patient Relationships

• Emphasis on continuity of care and long-term relationships

• Freedom to spend more time with patients

• Greater patient loyalty and satisfaction

Financial Transparency and Control

• Direct control over billing and collections

• Opportunity to innovate pricing or adopt models like direct primary care or concierge

• Investment back into your own business instead of a hospital system

Innovation and Agility

• Faster adoption of new technologies, diagnostics, and protocols

• Ability to customize office environment and services

• Less red tape for trying novel care pathways or holistic modalities

Challenges to Acknowledge

• Administrative burden and business overhead

• Lack of institutional support or large-scale infrastructure

• Navigating payer relationships and referral networks

Conclusion

• Private practice is not for everyone, but it's a viable and valuable model

• Reclaiming medical autonomy, rebuilding trust, and re-centering the doctor-patient relationship

• Encouragement for physicians considering independence to explore it with open eyes