The Satori system finds a civilian role

By David Kaufman

Published: March 6 2010 04:24 | Last updated: March 6 2010 04:24

Urban life may be a battlefield, but no one has taken the metaphor as far as the Cinzia Spa in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Among the standard relaxation treatments on offer at the wellness centre is one that is not quite so familiar: the Satori system, last used on thousands of US military personnel suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, including soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Read More at FT.com

PHILADELPHIA, PA--(Marketwire - December 4, 2009) - The Philadelphia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) held its Pepperpot Awards dinner on December 3, 2009 at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. The annual event honors the extraordinary work of public relations professionals across the Greater Philadelphia region.

The 41st Philadelphia Pepperpot Awards program encouraged members to explore the endless avenues of social media impacting their professional and personal lives. All materials were sent by email or posted online at www.phillypepperpots.com, where a Pepperpots social community provided a new way to network and interact with others who participate in the awards program.

Pepperpot winners submitted 30-second "YouTube" style videos of their acceptance speeches, and ladle winners submitted pictures and logos, all of which were part of a multi-media presentation during the dinner. A video montage created by The Star Group, the host of this year's event, showed some of the most memorable public relations campaigns of the past few years.

More than 90 entries were judged in 34 categories ranging from feature stories to social media campaigns. Best of Show honors went to Vault Communications for their "Least Wanted" television PSA campaign on behalf of the National Pest Management Association. A complete list of 2009 winners is below.

Achievement awards were also presented to the following outstanding PRSA members: Ellen S. Toplin, Maxine Elkin Award; John Moscatelli, Frank X. Long Award; Lou Grossman, Anthony Fulginiti Award; Barbara Link, DeAnn White Award; and Lisa Packer was presented with the President's Award. In addition, the Anne Sceia Klein Professional Promise Award was presented to Allison Freeman of LaSalle University.

"It's been a challenging year, with budgets that were lower yet expectations that were higher," said Jack Horner, APR, 2009 chapter president and president of Jack Horner Communications. "That's what's so impressive about this year's Pepperpot winners and honorees... they still raised the bar."

Visual Sound, a provider of audiovisual solutions; and Marketwire, a news monitoring and PR measurement service, were presenting sponsors of the event.

About PRSA Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is a vital resource for communications professionals throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. One of the largest PRSA chapters in the country, it offers its 600 members a variety of services including professional development, mentoring, networking, the region's preeminent communications job bank, and an opportunity to earn professional accreditation through the APR exam, PR's highest professional designation. The chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2002 - 2003. For more information, visit www.prsa.philly.org.

                      2009 Pepperpot Award Winners

Best of Show
  Vault Communications - National Pest Management Association "Least
  Wanted" Television PSA

Public Service
  Pepperpot: American Cancer Society - American Cancer Society Cancer
  Resource Network Outreach Campaign
  Ladle: Vox Media, Inc. - Educating Patients and the Public About
  Appropriate Use

Reputation/Brand Management
  Pepperpot: Allstate Insurance Company - Allstate and Posit Science:
  Creating Safe Drivers One Brain at a Time
  Ladle: The Brownstein Group - Graham Company: "Actions Matter"

Special Events and Observances, 7 Days or Fewer, Budget under $15,000
  Pepperpot: American Cancer Society, Pennsylvania Division - AstraZeneca
  Hope Lodge of the American Cancer Society Grand Opening
  Ladle: Simon Public Relations Group - PNC Premiers Arb Alive with Show
  Stopping Celebration

Special Events and Observances, 7 Days or Fewer, Budget $15,000 or more
  Pepperpot: Jack Horner Communications Inc. - The Gates & Hillman Centers
  Dedication

Special Events and Observances, 7 Days or More, Budget under $15,000
  Pepperpot: Health Partners of Philadelphia - Biggest Winner Nutrition
  Program

Special Events and Observances, 7 Days or More, Budget $15,000 or more
  Pepperpot: Philadelphia Senior Center - There's No Place Like Home:
  Philadelphia Senior Center Celebrates 60 Years of Service
  Ladle: Vox Media, Inc. - Building Breakthrough Pain Awareness

Community Relations
  Pepperpot: Simon Public Relations Group - Shire Shows that Kids Count
  with 3 Causes in 3 Months
  Ladle: The Star Group - SCA Helps Philadelphia "Go Green"

Public Affairs
  Pepperpot: AAA Mid-Atlantic - Philadelphia Airport Cell Phone Lot

Development or Fundraising
  Pepperpot: Cephalon - Cephalon Lights the Night for Leukemia and Lymphoma
  Society
  Ladle: Brownstein Group - The Fairmount Park Conservancy "Save Fairmount
  Park"

Pro Bono Programs
  Pepperpot: Brownstein Group - The Launch of Ryan Howard Family Foundation
  Ladle: The Star Group - Susan G. Komen for the Cure Philadelphia Pink Tie
  Ball

Marketing Communications, New Products & Services
  Pepperpot: The Star Group - e3bank Launches Green Bank in Philadelphia
  Ladle: Vox Media, Inc. - Activating Communities and Raising Awareness for
  OSA and SWD

Marketing Communications, Established Products & Services
  Pepperpot: The Star Group - Seasons 52 Restaurant Opening in Cherry Hill,
  NJ

Multicultural Communications
  Pepperpot: Penn Medicine Department of Communications - Aging Well:
  Seniors and Scientist Showcase Experience, Cutting-edge Research from
  Penn's Institute on Aging

Crisis Communications
  Pepperpot: The Brownstein Group: SUPERPRETZEL: "Bring it Home"

Internal Communications
  Pepperpot: Penn Medicine - Linking Together: Strengthening Identity
  Through Internal Online Communications
  Ladle: Shire Pharmaceuticals - A Brave New Brand for Shire
  Pharmaceuticals

Special PR Programs
  Pepperpot: Ann Klein Communications Group - Building Our Adoption and
  Foster Care Community

Single Piece Communications, Newsletters
  Pepperpot: Good Sheppard Rehabilitation Network - Be Well News Letter
  Ladle: Bayada Nurses - Bayada Bulletin

Single Piece Communications, Magazines
  Pepperpot: Penn Medicine - Penn Medicine Magazine

Single Piece Communications, Brochures
  Pepperpot: Gift of Life Donor Program - Tissue Donation Brochure
  Ladle: The Star Group - Prescription Audio Satori Space Brochure

Single Piece Communications, Annual Reports
  Pepperpot: Please Touch Museum - "The Game of Please Touch Museum" 2008
  Annual Report
  Ladle: Select Greater Philadelphia - Select Greater Philadelphia 2009
  Regional Report

Single Piece Communications, Special Purpose Publications
  Pepperpot: Cabin Communications - Alter Hall Commemorative Book
  Ladle: LevLane - Evangelical Manor Capital Campaign Direct Mail Puzzle

Single Piece Communications, Hard Copy Media/Press Kits
  Pepperpot: Stacey Himes & Associates - Metropolitan Bakery, "Long, Slow
  Rise"

Single Piece Communications, PSAs - TV
  Pepperpot: Vault Communications - "Least Wanted" Television PSA (Best of
  Show)
  Ladle: AAA Mid-Atlantic - Motorist Tips

Single Piece Communications, PSAs - Radio
  Pepperpot: AAA Mid-Atlantic - Motorist Tips

Single Piece Communications, Feature Stories
  Pepperpot: Brownstein Group - Middle East Architect: Golden Cover Story
  Ladle: Penn Medicine Department of Communications - Cold Relief (Popular
  Science)

Single Piece Communications, Editoral/Op-ed
  Pepperpot: Anne Klein Communications Group - Facing the Facebook
  Revolution
  Ladle: Anne Klein Communications Group - "Preserving the Integrity of a
  Quintessential Research Tool"

Social Media
  Pepperpot: Vault Communications - Social Media Campaign
  Ladle: Gift of Life Donor Program - Gift of Life on Facebook

Media Relations
  Pepperpot: ARAMARK - ARAMARK Launches MLB's First Gluten-Free Concession
  Stand
  Ladle: Vox Media, Inc. - Activating Communities and Raising Awareness of
  OSA and SWD

Web Site Communications
  Pepperpot: Good Sheppard Rehabilitation Network - Good Sheppard
  Rehabilitation Network Website
  Ladle: Jack Horner Communications Inc. - A Website for All Seasons:
  Redesign of www.jackhorner.com

Blogging
  Pepperpot: The Bellevue, Managed and leased by PREIT-RUBIN, INC - Inside
  the Bellvevue.com
  Ladle: Drexel University Online - e-insights: The Drexel Online Blog

Limited-Budget Programs
  Pepperpot: Anne Klein Communications Group - Setting the Green Standard
  in Gaming
  Ladle: Allstate Insurance Company - Allstate Your Choice Charity Event

Social Media Platform
  Pepperpot: Vault Communications - "Krimpet v. Crumpet"
  Ladle: Anne Klein Communications Group - Building Our Adoption and Foster
  Care Community

http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Philadelphia-PRSA-Fetes-Pepperpot-Winners-at-41st-Annual-Awards-Dinner-1086232.htm

For many this Veterans’ Day around America, Fort Hood stands as a reminder of the stress and fatigue that many veterans are facing, especially with the possibility of redeployment to Afghanistan.

However Fort Hood also stands at the forefront of mental health care for many veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress disorder. Fort Hood is the home of the Warrior Combat Stress Program set up to assist veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This is very much a real brain disorder. It is an invisible disorder. It is also one where recovery can be achieved. It has recently been reported that Fort Hood has a new policy issued encouraging servicemen to seek mental health counseling and staff need to “do everything possible to eliminate any stigma or adverse consequences” associated with it. This new policy is a vital step in the right direction especially when the total number of suicides among active duty is becoming unusually high.

Earlier this year, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was front and center in the news where a veteran who suffered from PTSD was found guilty by reason of insanity. You can read more about this case here.

Mental Health America recently announced that they are partnering with partnering with Prescription Audio, a Philadelphia-area based firm to make the company’s scientifically based sound therapy available without charge as a download to veterans, active duty servicemen and women, their family members and health care providers. You can learn more about their services by checking Mental Health America website.

http://www.examiner.com/x-22905-DC-Disability-Examiner~y2009m11d11-Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder-A-Very-Real-Wound

http://cbs3.com/topstories/Veterans.Day.Nations.2.1305793.html

* State Rep. John Taylor, R-Phila., is sponsoring a winter-coat drive for homeless veterans in the Philadelphia area. Taylor is asking people to donate winter coats, jackets, hats, scarves and gloves at his offices on Thompson Street near Cambria, in Port Richmond; Richmond Street near Jenks, in Bridesburg; or Hunting Park Avenue near J Street, in Juniata.

* The Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial is going to be rededicated during a ceremony at noon. The memorial, at Front and Spruce streets, underwent a $500,000 renovation project earlier this year. The "Wall of Names" was refurbished, and a 24-hour video-surveillance system was installed, along with new pavers, lighting and flagpoles. Memorial officials are trying to raise another $500,000 to open the Spruce Street side of the memorial to pedestrians. To donate, visit http://pvvm.org

* Prescription Audio, a Voorhees, N.J.-based vibrational- medicine company, is partnering with Mental Health America to give away 250,000 free downloads of sound-therapy programs designed to help vets and active soldiers cope with post traumatic stress disorder. The giveaway, worth about $5 million, is available at www.prescriptionaudio.com/pages/ptsd.

* The Wounded Warrior Program, which provides disabled vets with two-year fellowships in congressional offices across the country, is still accepting applicants. Since last year, 19 vets with 30 percent disability ratings or higher have been accepted for the fellowships, which can turn into full-time jobs. For more information, visit http://cao.house.gov/wwp-about.shtml

* State Rep. Allyson Schwartz, D-Phila., will hold a resource expo for vets at the Orleans Technical Institute, at Red Lion Road near Norcom, in the Northeast, from 10 a.m. to noon tomorrow. The expo will offer vets information on benefits, employment and job training.

- David Gambacorta

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20091111_For_vets__donations__drives___dedications.html

• Apply clinical skills from a broad range of professional care functions including alternative approaches to dual diagnosis treatment, different holistic therapy approaches and the available research supporting holistic treatment
• Cite advances in the field of dual diagnosis and holistic treatment.
• Differentiate among key philosophies from traditional treatment approaches and alternative holistic treatment, as well as how they may complement each other
  

The conference is hosted by Foundations Recovery Network, Alliance for Addiction Solutions and G&G Holistic Addiction Treatment Program.

Learn more about the conference, click here.

Sound Therapy Program Currently Prescribed for Treatment of PTSD, Stress,
Compassion Fatigue in VA and U.S. Army Hospitals

Contacts: Steve Vetzner, (703) 797-2588 or svetzner@mentalhealthamerica.net
Jared Klose, (302) 434-8707 or jklose@stargroup1.com

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (November 10, 2009)-Mental Health America today announced it is partnering with Prescription Audio, a Philadelphia-area based firm (Voorhees, N.J.), to make the company's scientifically based sound therapy available without charge as a download to veterans, active duty servicemen and women, their family members and health care providers.

"We applaud Prescription Audio for making this therapy available for free and are proud to partner with them," said David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. "It is a valuable stress management and anxiety reduction tool that can immediately help our active duty troops, veterans, their families and caregivers."

Similar Prescription Audio sound therapy is currently being prescribed within the Department of Veterans Affairs and US Army hospitals to aid in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), insomnia, high stress and compassion fatigue.

In honor of Veterans Day, and in light of recent events including the Fort Hood shootings, the 250,000 copies of the download are being made available at no charge to any veteran, active duty servicemen and women, their families, as well as compassion fatigued healthcare providers suffering from mental health symptoms related to the treatment of PTSD and other related conditions. The value of the products and services being donated is approximately $5 million.

"In these trying times, we felt like we had to do something to support our warriors, veterans, their families and the mental health professionals that serve them," said Jill Slane, CEO of Prescription Audio. Individuals can learn more about sound therapy, discover how it can start helping them and access the download by going to Mental Health America's Operation Healthy Reunion's site at http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reunions/resources.cfm or by clicking here.

Prescription Audio was developed by Jill and Rod Slane, a husband-wife team, in 2005. Rod Slane has used his more than 40 years experience as a composer and innovative sound engineer to create the Life Program^TM, followed by Natural Wellness Therapy in 2006.

One of the company's early aims was to help ease the anguish of veterans suffering from PTSD.  By using proprietary sound technology, Prescription Audio's array of MP3 and CD programs provide natural mental and general health solutions that diminish anxiety and its many detrimental manifestations, while enabling anyone to quickly and easily achieve a meditative state of mind. 

Prescription Audio provides products and services through its Life Program to the U.S. military's Institute of Surgical Research Stress Management Program for Healthcare Providers, a strong testament to the power and effectiveness of their approach. In this application, vibrational sound therapy is utilized to help reduce the high rate of turnover in trauma healthcare workers within military hospitals by teaching stress management tactics, leading to improved mental health and increased resiliency.

About Mental Health America

Mental Health America is the country's leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives.  With our century of service to America and our more than 300 affiliates nationwide, we represent a national movement that promotes mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation - everyday and in times of crisis.

About Prescription Audio

Prescription Audio is the developer of Sound Solutions for a Healthier Life. By using proprietary sound technology, Prescription Audio provides natural mental and physical health solutions that diminish stress and its many detrimental manifestations, while enabling anyone to quickly and easily achieve a meditative state of mind.  The company offers a wide variety of portable MP3 and CD programs that promote healthy living through natural wellness.  Prescription Audio's natural wellness solutions utilize audio vibrations embedded within a proprietary multi-layered sound technology to assist with positive metamorphosis in total mind-body well-being.  Please visit www.PrescriptionAudio.com to learn more.

North Myrtle Beach, S.C., March 30 - The Cinzia Spa at North Beach Plantation has debuted a breakthrough vibrational sound therapy treatment, making it the first property in the country to offer this exciting new service.  The Ascension VibrAcoustiCradle^TM is a sophisticated ergonomically designed chair placed within a Satori Space^TM environment - together the chair and the environment combine ancient meditation techniques with 21st-century technology for an experience that revitalizes both mind and body.  The VibrAcoustiCradle and the Satori Space are breakthrough creations from Prescription Audio^TM, which offers Sound Solutions for a Healthier Life.

The VibrAcoustiCradle chair delivers customized sound frequencies to the entire the body, creating synchronization that produces an integrated whole body healing response.  Over time, the Satori Space total wellness experience promotes profound transformation in total mind-body well being.  Spa goers simultaneously listen to a harmonically layered blend of music, multi-dimensional sounds and pure tones which combine to usher brainwaves into deep meditation.  Some behavioral change therapies utilize aural affirmations that speak to both the conscious and sub-conscious thought processes.  All of these spa treatments have proven effective in promoting long-lasting health improvements.

In addition to its work with spas, Prescription Audio provides products and services through its Life Program^TM to the U.S. military's Institute of Surgical Research Stress Management Program for Healthcare Providers, a strong testament to the power and effectiveness of their approach. In this application, vibrational sound therapy is utilized to help reduce the high rate of turnover in trauma healthcare workers within military hospitals by teaching stress management tactics, leading to improved mental health and increased resiliency.

"This new therapy has immense benefits in helping people in their daily life and in boosting their ability to achieve goals," said Tammy Pahel, President of Spa Management Solutions and Management Company/Managing Director of Cinzia Spa.  "We're pleased to be the first spa in the U.S. to have a Satori Space.  We know the treatment will attract traditional spa users, fans of natural, holistic or wellness vacations, individuals undergoing traditional medical treatment seeking adjunct holistic therapies, and many others who suffer from a wide variety of stress-related conditions."

Chronic stress is one of the most overlooked medical issues in the world today and these new treatments successfully tackle the root problem, not merely the symptoms.  The creators of the Satori Space and the VibrAcoustiCradle harness the power of audio vibrations to achieve this goal.  These frequencies create synchronization between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, building new neural pathways.  The result is a quieting of the mind, or meditation, which washes away negative thoughts and mitigates stress. Prescription Audio's proven benefits are one of the reasons many physicians have recommended them as a complimentary therapy in the treatment of their patients. Best of all, the technology associated with the Satori Space enables anyone to quickly and easily achieve a meditative state of mind. 

 "Prescription Audio is pleased to launch the Satori Space environment and the Ascension VibrAcoustiCradle as exciting new methods to promote mental and physical health without drugs or other chemicals," said Jill Noonan-Slane, Prescription Audio Co-Creator.  "We know these proven and cost-effective sound solutions improve people's lives.  Prescription Audio is fully committed to making the Satori Space and the VibrAcoustiCradle available to spas and other health and wellness organizations everywhere."

This state-of-the-art spa treatment is perfect for first-time meditators who would like to feel the effects of deep meditation without spending the years of practice normally required.  Regular meditators who want to boost their experiences and long-term practitioners searching for the next level are also sure to benefit from the experience.  The Satori Package consists of five therapy sessions and also includes a digital player pre-loaded with vibrational audio programming for continued reinforcement anytime, anywhere so that treatment doesn't have to stop when clients leave the Spa.

About Cinzia Spa

The brand-new 17,000 square-foot Cinzia Spa at North Beach Plantation is now open as part of a 60-acre development stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to Highway 17 in North Myrtle Beach.  Combining Southern charm with modern conveniences, the luxury residential resort will boast up to 750 oceanfront condominiums, townhouses and single family homes when complete.  Upscale boutique shopping and gourmet dining experiences will complement the world-class spa and wellness center.  The Spa also accommodates extended-stay spa guests looking for a healthy and healing experience.  Guests and members enjoy the use of several complimentary amenities before, during or after scheduled spa treatments or a workout, including an indoor/outdoor relaxation lounge equipped with iPods for a 20-minute guided meditation experience.  Cinzia Spa at North Beach Plantation is located at 719 North Beach Plantation Blvd.

About Prescription Audio

Prescription Audio is the developer of Sound Solutions for a Healthier Life. By using proprietary sound technology, Prescription Audio provides natural mental and physical health solutions that diminish stress and its many detrimental manifestations, while enabling anyone to quickly and easily achieve a meditative state of mind.  The company offers a wide variety of portable MP3 and CD programs that promote healthy living through natural wellness.  Prescription Audio's natural wellness solutions utilize audio vibrations embedded within a proprietary multi-layered sound technology to assist with positive metamorphosis in total mind-body well-being.  Please visit www.PrescriptionAudio.com to learn more.