Many stories have already been written about The Farm at San Benito — a seventeen-year-old health and wellness resort in Lipa, Batangas. It is a well-known healing sanctuary spearheaded by a holistic treatment approach through integrative medicine.
Recently, The Farm at San Benito partnered with European Wellness™, a global brand leader in the field of Regenerative Medicine that offers the most advanced stem cell therapies with an elite network of premium hospitals and medical centers in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
The partnership provides The Farm at San Benito guests direct access to Biological Medicine, high-end diagnostics and treatment machines from Germany and personalized Cellular Health Programs. It also functions as a pre and post-treatment facility for Stem Cell therapy. Pre-treatment detoxification and revitalization is necessary to ensure a healthy environment for the stem cells to thrive and perform its function while the post-treatment regimen helps patients maintain optimum health and reap the benefits of the procedures on a long term basis.
Consumers are increasingly making lifestyle changes, and taking more responsibility for their own health and well-being. This has resulted in the emergence of medical wellness destinations offering integrative medicine, nutrition, spas, fitness programs, mind-body activities, anti-aging, preventive medicine, and personalized health regimens.
The partnership of European Wellness™ with The Farm at San Benito sets a new standard in the provision of Luxury Medical Wellness in answer to the global trend of Biological Medicine which dates back to Switzerland 500 years ago. This practice addresses the underlying causes of disease and acts concurrently with any existing treatment, modulates and balances the entire organism and directs it to effective healing and recovery combining luxury resorts with state-of-the-art integrative medical services.
“European Wellness is our partner to expand the holistic medical wellness in the healing sanctuary that we have, the complete healing of mind, body, and soul. We have a lot of programs but as we are expanding and we want to do more, we felt the need to involve further, partners, to bring science and technology into our business. We engaged with European Wellness, they are world leaders in different countries in the field of regenerative medicine, bio-molecular research and development, and technology in early disease detection and complementary therapies. On one hand, we do the healing but we want to support it with evidence-based science,” explained resort GM Preet Singh.
The core of European Biological Wellness contains principles of biological medicine, which states that the human body is inherently capable of self-healing, and these abilities depend on anatomical, physiological, mental and spiritual balance. Once any component of this integral system is compromised, the occurring imbalance results in the development of the disease. Biological Wellness addresses the underlying causes of disease and acts concurrently with any existing treatment, modulates and balances the entire organism and directs it to effective healing and recovery.
THE EXPERIENCE
We were invited to experience the technology of the European Wellness programs on abbreviated sessions due to our work schedule and The Farm’s availability, suffice it to say that, a full program, we believe, can bring a more positive result.
In retrospect, the sessions made us aware of the current physical state of our body through tests brought about by the latest technology that is quick and scientific.
Before everything else, a vital signs check was performed to allow medical staff to check our four main vital signs: body temperature, pulse rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Then the diagnostic process followed.
Biomed Scan
Similar to an ECG, it is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that helps identify diseases that may be associated with the autonomic nervous system, vascular, and sudomotor disorders within 15 minutes by monitoring heart rate variability. It shows a visual representation of how hormones were being regulated, as well as energy resources, which in our case were low. However, we were advised that these can be replenished with the right diet, preferably more green leafy vegetables, meditation, exercise, and relaxation. It also compares our actual biological age versus our cellular age. Multifactorial causes premature cellular aging were identified ranging from environmental, psychological, physical and emotional stressors that predispose us to certain degenerative diseases. A pre and post-treatment scan was provided for us which showed improvement in our overall health in a matter of days. The Bio Med Scan is a helpful guide in management and treatments following the Five Pillars of European Wellness- Diagnose, Detoxify, Repair, Rejuvenate and Maintenance as their core competency.
Oligo Scan
Oligo Scan is a state of the art equipment in heavy metal analysis using spectrophotometery to test the quantity of specific, potentially toxic metals and other minerals present in the body. Previously what is available in the Philippines to assess levels is done through blood or hair samples that are sent abroad. However, this is very costly and takes a long time for the results to come out. Oligo Scan gave us the results in minutes and our doctor was able to assess our needs based on the test within the same day. Minerals in trace amounts are required by the body for normal function, but heavy metals are toxic at higher levels. Since these metals are present in our environment, we are all exposed to it on a daily basis, and levels gradually accumulate in the body leading to symptoms that are mostly associated with aging. For example, Mercury is associated with nervous system symptoms such as headaches, weakness, decrease cognitive functions or “forgetfulness”. We assume that because we are getting old, we experience these symptoms; however, they may be attributed to increased levels of mercury in the body because nowadays, it is not just from medical equipment but also with the food that we eat, more specifically seafood. Cadmium is evidently high because of the batteries of the gadgets we use. We were educated on which heavy metals are present in our body, the sources we get exposed to, and how to avoid its accumulation. Should there be a need to take supplements to detoxify, usually organic silicate, these will also be prescribed to you to draw these heavy metals out.
On the other hand, you may be advised to take supplements as well for the minerals. In our case, I had low levels of Chromium (that regulates metabolism) and was prescribed to take some.
Biomed Pulse
In layman’s terms, this is a more advanced, more precise measurement of blood pressure monitoring and comparison, to have an overall picture of our internal organs following the Chinese medicine of Acupuncture. It is like a screen test of where your problems are. In my case, it showed heavy activity in the stomach and intestines following a heavy meal. This diagnostic tool is a reliable screening tool for identifying root causes of organ disturbances, prevention of diseases and monitoring of certain treatment modalities.
Live Blood Analysis
This interested us the most. It shows red blood cells and white blood cells in action, so to speak, platelets, and other microscopic particles present in your blood that are explained as you view it onscreen (not in the microscope). It is an impressive health education demonstration, thus it motivates you to have a better lifestyle as your ongoing conversation with the doctor continues.
Bio Mammo (for females)
It is a standard procedure for females but the machine is different from the traditional as there are no compression paddles used, so it is painless. This digital mammography is a radiation-free device that can be used for early detection of breast pathologies. It measures temperature changes within the tissue, and as explained, heat signifies active cell division or inflammation on the area.
THE TREATMENT
As results of the tests were analyzed by European Wellness and The Farm medical staff, the suggested treatments for detoxification we followed were:
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
This treatment is used to treat a wide variety of conditions by improving the natural healing process of the body by inhalation of 100% pure oxygen at a slightly higher atmospheric pressure in a total body chamber. One drawback is if you are claustrophobic, and the initial discomfort is popping in the ears, the same feeling one gets in ascending and descending high altitudes. Other than that, we were happy to be shown a significant increase in oxygen in the blood’s hemoglobin after the 30-minute session. We were informed that HBOT decreases inflammation, promotes detoxification, stimulates the immune system and increases collagen formation.
Rasha Morphogenic Therapy
It is a documented fact by both WHO and the AMA that up to over 90% of all illnesses in modern society are stress-related. Whether we like it or not, we become victims of stress even in our own private lives. Stress hinders our mind, lowering our energy, and then manifests itself in physical degradation.
EWC has this Rasha equipment that brings out Scalar Waves (discovered by scientist Nikolai Tesla) that has the power to influence the morphogenic field, the blueprint of our physical body. Based on the particular resonant frequency recorded by Dr. Royal Rife, the specific disease modality can be targeted with scalar waves. The technology harmonizes the autonomic nervous system to move from a haphazard response to a more restful and relaxed state that can promote healing. You actually get to sleep during the process.
Colonics-Colema Treatment
It is generally recommended that we undergo colon maintenance at least twice a year for detoxification. Colema Hydrotherapy is performed using a warm herbal solution of aloe vera, chamomile, or coffee. Normal blood pressure is recommended before undergoing treatment. This gentle therapy dislodges and removes impacted fecal material that may cause toxin buildup, and the flow of water massages the walls of the intestines promoting better peristalsis or movement of our bowels. Probiotics were given after to promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut that helps with our digestion.
ATTENDING PHYSICIANS
Dr. Aniene A. Akiyama (European Wellness) – A strong advocate of holistic wellness, Dr. Akiyama is an Aesthetic, Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine Specialist. She is a fellow of the International Association of Stem Cell Transplantation, USA, International Association of Cell Therapy Switzerland, and the Philippine Academy of Aesthetic and Age Management Inc., among other accomplishments.
A graduate of De La Salle University, Dr. Akiyama stands by the most important part of the Hippocratic oath: primum-non-nocere – first, do no harm. With that, she believes that the path to optimum health requires us to dive back to the basics understanding our bodies on the cellular level and administering medicine that’s backed up by years of researching studies. With the affiliation with European Wellness, the latest advancements in regenerative cell therapy from Germany and Switzerland are now brought into the country.
Dr. Marian Alonzo (The Farm at San Benito) – Dr. Alonzo graduated from the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Medicine where she was recognized for her outstanding clinical work. She finished her European post-graduate studies (magna cum laude) specializing in Integrative Medicine. This field integrates conventional and natural medicine and finds the governing healing principles that connect different streams in healing. She has been with The Farm Health Resort during the research/testing phase before informally opened to the public. She serves as its Medical Chief for many years. Her specializations are Holistic Consult, Live Blood Analysis, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Art Therapy; Harmonizing flow, Psycho-emotional clearing (guided meditation), Scar release, ANS balancing, and Neurogenic release.
