Joshua Berka: The Biophysical Principle That Drives Modern Regenerative Medicine And Wellness

In recent years, Big Tech has gotten a bad rep. But of course many tech companies are doing important work making monumental positive changes to society, health, and the environment. To highlight these, we started a new interview series about “Technology Making An Important Positive Social Impact”. We are interviewing leaders of tech companies who are creating or have created a tech product that is helping to make a positive change in people’s lives or the environment. As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Joshua Berka.

Dr. Joshua Berka is double board-certified and licensed Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) as well a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner (FMCP). He is passionate about Integrative, Preventative, Functional and Regenerative Medicine and is an advocate for personalized patient-centered care. Dr. Berka has been in clinical practice for 17 years and serves as a medical consultant supporting innovative medical technologies that non-invasively improve patient treatment outcomes as well as adjunctive therapeutics that can be used as a part of a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Berka has been a consultant within the med-tech space for the past 15 years and currently consults for BEMER Group USA. Learn more about BEMER at life.bemergroup.com.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit more about you. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory and how you grew up?

I grew up in upstate New York. While no one in my family were in the healthcare field, I always had an interest and expressed curiosity in the life sciences and how the body worked. Also, how we relate to nature and how nature relates with us. This early awareness came from growing up in a country like setting (hobby farm) where we had some animals, grew some of our own food in the garden, fished, hunted, etc.

One strong influence in my childhood is that I spent many years flying around. I know that sounds strange, but my father (and my brother) is a hot air balloon pilot. One of the first in New York State and has been a commercial pilot (aeronaut) for the past 40 years. All other aircraft whip the wind, power through and cut the wind, but in a balloon (lighter than aircraft), it is the closest thing to flying in harmony with mother nature. When floating on the air in a balloon, one may experience a peace that can only be felt when “flying with the wind”.

Interestingly enough, a balloon can only be controlled in an up and down fashion (by heating the envelope above the gondola to ascend and letting the envelope cool do descend). All other piloting comes from reading the everchanging environment and how to respond versus react based on experience and wisdom. It taught me that nature doesn’t care who you are. One should always have deep respect for the power that nature wields.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

While there is not one story that stands out to me, all my experiences have led me to be awe-inspired on a daily basis. My professional medical career has spanned the specialties of Family Practice (General Practice), Pain Management, Integrative Oncology, and many other aspects of medicine. However, over the past 5 years, I have found myself on the cutting edge of biophysical medicine. This means the deployment of “biophysical treatment interventions” that include; light, sound, electricity, and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMFT).

I look forward to the co-creating of daily life and the ever-evolving tale that becomes “the story”.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

You are right. No one gets to where they are alone. And this includes me today and every day. I have had so much support, so many mentors and guides. However, I must say, that without the fundamental basic belief in myself and my potential, I would not be where I am today. It was my parents and family who fostered this within me and my siblings. A gift that I strive to pass on to my offspring and continue to share this gift with those open to receiving and willing to remember their deepest worth. What I mean by this is that we all have the capacity within ourselves to be successful. We just must be able to truly believe that we deserve to manifest our dreams and aspirations. All is possible beyond the invisible. It starts with believing, focusing on the that which you wish to create or accomplish and allowing the manifestation of your time, strategy and efforts; revealing what you are capable of. This builds confidence. Do it again!

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” Lao Tzu

This quote is still very relevant today and a fundamental guide for living a balanced life. All that comes into form in our lives, first is derived from our thinking. How we view, experience, and interpret our environment sets the stage for how we interact with it. What we want to create or achieve comes from the story within us. The story we tell ourselves every day.

The words that we use, the actions that we express, become the habits that we repeat. Back to our thoughts, our brain. Nerves that fire together in the brain, wire together. The more we think of something, the more that neural network is fired and the more likely it will fire again. So, someone who has negative internal dialog will ultimately sabotage their very own success. On the contrary, those that choose to sort through the self-talk, focus with clarity on the positive outcomes, tend to achieve their goals more often.

There is an association with success and monetary gain or worth. However, from my perspective, success is measured by the self-fulfillment of the person experiencing life through the lens of their perception. A firm but gentle character is expressed when someone knows themselves. Their strengths and weaknesses. Their boundaries. The expression of a virtuous character is the manifestation of the destiny that we co-create every moment of every day. It is this presence within the ever-changing moment that summons the richness from life and allows us to be grateful in the process. For me, it is the essence of life.

You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Honesty, Integrity, Virtue

Honesty

Honesty is always the best policy. Whether it be in personal life or business, dishonesty is a deal-breaker. Being direct and honest is something that was fostered within me throughout my upbringing and even in my military experience. I served in the United States Air Force (USAF) for over a decade. Interestingly enough, I was Security Police, so I guarded and/or provided security for people, places and things (assets) with the Department of Defense (DOD).

With regard to honesty, there was this time, early in my Air Force career, in fact, I had just finished my Security Police training at an Army base on the East Coast that was next to an Air Force Base. I was excited to go to my first duty assignment and start doing what I was trained to do. So, the day (Saturday) we finished training, we were allowed an evening of “on-base leave” to enjoy some Rest & Relaxation (R&R), albeit, with an 11 pm curfew. A guy with whom I had been training together for the past 4 months decided to go to the Non-Commissioned Officer’s (NCO) Club on the Army base that evening and enjoy some fun away from the seriousness of training.

We went out and were enjoying ourselves thoroughly; laughing and dancing. Towards the end of the night, or so we thought, we met two women who were active-duty air force and were stationed and lived on the Air Force base adjacent to the Army base that we were on. They invited us over for an after-party. It was already 1030 pm, we knew we could not be back by the 11 pm curfew and we also knew we could be in violation of our R&R restriction to the Army Base and possibly be reported as Absence With-Out Leave (AWOL). A potential serious offense for a soldier. Well as you would guess, two 19-year old males made the most logical decision….to violate both directives given by their commanding officer.

We went with our newfound friends back to their dorm and hung out in the common area for some time (this was their idea of an after-party). As the night turned to morning, we both were getting tired, looked at the time and it was already 150am. We had broken curfew and we were “off-base”. We decided we needed to get back as soon as possible. Undetected. So, we went back to our dorm and “snuck” back in by 2 am. I fell asleep exhausted but with the pride of doing something that I should not have done and I got away with it.

I did not know how long I had been sleeping, but the memory of that feeling was erased as I was awoken by three hard knocks on my door which jolted me from my sleep. As I opened the door, I was met by an Army Military Police (MP), who instructed me to report to the commander’s office at 8 am, in uniform. I was informed I and another troop broke curfew and were reported as AWOL. The Commander was called in for this case.

OMG!!! It is 730am, my eyes are bloodshot, I am tired and now the head guy in charge is coming in on a Sunday (his day off) to meet with these two delinquent airmen (us) who disobeyed his direct command. We showed up in our uniform and were given task and duty, one after another. To clean this, clean that, mop the floors, etc.; a lot of manual work. After 4 hours of working, we were hungry, nervous about what is going to happen and tired. All those feelings disappeared in an instant and were replaced by fear and angst when the Commander walked into the room we were working in and straight to his office without looking left or right. I glanced over to my partner in crime and we mirrored back to each other a look of bewilderment and unavoidable anxious anticipation.

Could I/we be in big trouble? Would we not graduate from our training? Would be kicked out of the Air Force? Would be go to jail? All were possible. At that point, the door of the commander’s office opened and he summoned us both in. We knew, this was it and proceeded to enter, standing straight at attention in front of him while he was seated at his desk. It was at this moment that I realized my career could be over before it began.

He looked up at both of us with a neutral gaze which turned into disappointment as he read the report of our misconduct. He brushed the briefing paper to the side, looked back up at us, and said, “I am going to give you one chance, what happened with you two last night? At that point, both my accomplice and I rolled our eyes toward each other without moving our heads, shoulders or body. We both knew there was no time for making up some non-sense story as he would see right through it. So, we began recanting the story, in detail, as if we were a duo singing our funeral song. We told him everything; meeting the girls, leaving the base, breaking curfew. The confession was short but direct. We both stood in silence as he looked at us, looked down at his file cabinet and pulled our individual files folded within manilla envelopes.

He flipped through both of our files in less than 30 seconds, looked back up at us and stated, “So, it looks like you are both at the top or the class in both physical and mental testing capability. You both ranked “expert” in your marksmanship with your duty weapons…but none of that matters to me. I get good troops coming through here all the time. What matters to me is, for starters, you were truthful and honest. This is the most important aspect of being a good soldier, and a good person. Secondly, I saw that you both volunteered your time last weekend and were a part of the base food drive; the food drive that I organized as asked for volunteers (Thanksgiving 1993). I believe in helping those who help me. Trusting each other is the most effective strategy for success. It will keep you in good favor with your allies and your enemies, but more important, it will keep you alive gentlemen.” (I never did forget that)

My buddy and I looked at each other in awe. The feelings of gravity and defeat turned into pride and more relaxed standing posture. He observed our relief and sternly demanded to know what base we were reporting to and what unit. We immediately tightened our upright posture to full attention, and I retorted with a firm but timid voice, “Why do you need that sir”? I thought that we were good to go?” He slid our folders aside to reveal a paper with a heading in big letters, L.O.R. What? Why is he writing a “Letter of Reprimand” for our files? To go to our new base? It will arrive before us? We will have a blemish on our record before we even arrive at our first duty station.

He observed the terror etched into my face and said to us both, “these are Letters of Recommendation”. I need to know where to send them. Hopefully, you will have many more of these in your files. Work hard, play hard and serve others before yourself. That is how it’s done”.

We gave him the requested information. After the final pen stroke of his signature, he looked up at us and said, “Follow orders from your superiors, they are given to you to follow, not to negate or question. This time, it worked out for you both. Don’t let there be a next time.” He paused and looked back down at the pages, then looked back at us with the same grin we both observed when we entered his office, “and when there is a next time, remember this incident. Not the Letter of Recommendation, but the lessons learned.” With that, his smirk vanished and he exclaimed, “Attention!!” Now get out there and have a good Air Force career.” Both my colleague and I snapped to attention, saluted in unison as we met his gesture, executed an “about-face” and marched away.

We went back to the dorm/barracks, and everyone thought we were in big trouble. We both agreed to tell everyone that we cannot talk about the incident. We never breathed a word about it to anyone. Until now.

Long story to convey the magic of honesty. But an early and ingrained memory for me.

Integrity

Integrity is doing what is right. Always. Sticking with our convictions and beliefs and not faltering from the truth which guides us in everyday living. Integrity is to honesty as character is to virtue.

Virtue

My interpretation and understanding of virtue was shaped through my Catholic upbringing and was equally biased with all other brands of belief. It was not until studying Chinese Medicine in 2002 that I truly embodied the meaning of virtue. The presence of the word in every action, in every thought, in every word. The Chinese Characters for Virtue consist of “a person standing upright” and “movement in a forward direction”. A way of being and a way of doing.

It is the individual qualities or strengths of a person, or, one’s personhood. Virtue is determined by the sum total of one’s actions (good and bad). Therefore, it is possible to “cultivate one’s virtue”. Like karma, virtue is the moral weight of a person, which may be either positive or negative. Virtue is who we are. How we engage virtue to manifest our destiny, that is the choice for each of us in every moment.

Ok super. Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion about the tech tools that you are helping to create that can make a positive impact on our wellness. To begin, which particular problems are you aiming to solve?

The problem that BEMER is focused on is quite simple. Blood Flow! Supporting circulation at the level of the microcirculation; the functional part of the circulatory system. The effects of disrupted or disturbed blood can be as simple as cold hands or feet, low energy or when blood flow issues are chronic, it can lead to serious pathology or disease.

The cause of dysfunctional blood flow at a microcirculatory level many times manifests from the inability to manage or deal with stress effectively. Stress comes in many forms and has various degrees of consequences. Often, we do not even know that we are being adversely affected by the stress in our lives. This stress can lead to worry, anxiety, inflammation, blood sugar dysregulation, heart disease, cancer and many other chronic expressions of pathology. Before we have disease, we usually have signs and symptoms. Feelings of tiredness, fatigue, low energy. While BEMER is not a disease-specific therapy, BEMER focuses its therapy on stimulating muscles. BEMER stimulates the muscles (skeletal) that keep us upright and straight as well as muscles (smooth) lining the microvessels that contract and relax to modulate circulation locally by maintaining muscle “tone”.

How do you think your technology can address this?

BEMER Therapy, when used on a regular basis, supports the mechanisms that enable and functional blood flow. The technology is the only medical device that targets microcirculation with low power and low frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF). BEMER deploys a patented signal via PEMF to directly stimulate the muscles within the microvessels. It is these muscles that must work in concert to open and close the vessels (maintain tone) to ensure that our blood is flowing and circulation is optimal. BEMER use is like internal exercise. When coupled with other healthy lifestyle choices (Exercise, Diet, Sleep), BEMER is an adjunctive therapy that can keep your blood moving and you in the flow, both mentally and physically.

Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?

I have always wanted to become a doctor to “teach and serve” those who seek my care and/or counsel. However, our current model for healthcare is not about caring for health at all. Rather, it is a disease-care system that profits from the treatment and mitigation of symptoms and disease states. I seek novel, safe, effective, and easy-to-use technologies for use with patients and further explore novel research related to physical therapeutics that deploy light, sound, electricity and/or Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF) to target biological tissues.

The goal is to both support the resiliency within each of us and prevent diseases through the specific transfer of energy that is targeting tissues. Our body has tissues that are sensitive to specific frequencies of light, sound, electricity and/or PEMF. In the near future, just as drugs are used to target lock-key-receptors, physical waves can be used to resonate with biological tissues (biological oscillators) facilitating changes in both structure and function. This is considered Drug-Free therapy.

How do you think this might change the world?

Change is constant and unfolding daily in science and medicine. However, for example, many still believe that the heart is the central muscle that pumps blood throughout the body. While this may be part of the story, it is not complete. The heart could not do this alone. Blood is also pumped by the vessels themselves (microvessels) and pressure and perfusion are locally regulated by a process known as vasomotion. When vasomotion is disrupted, local blood flow is disrupted. This localized process is tightly regulated and is adversely affected by stress, inflammation poor lifestyle and can lead to systemic issues as well as both acute and chronic diseases.

BEMER therapy acts both locally to stimulate muscles and support circulation yet has demonstrated positive systemic effects through published research related to sleep, recovery, performance, pain and overall quality of life. This technology is an over-the-counter (OTC) medical device, so it may be used by anyone seeking to adjunctively support their healthy lifestyle. BEMER is an FDA Class II cleared medical device (muscle stimulator). It is non-invasive. It is safe. Most importantly, it is an effective therapy that is easy to use whether at home or on the go.

Keeping “Black Mirror” and the “Law of Unintended Consequences” in mind, can you see any potential drawbacks about this technology that people should think more deeply about?

Sure, everything has its opposite. With regard to BEMER, it is one of the safest medical devices that I use for myself, my family and recommend to doctors and patients. However, there are other products that also use electromagnetic stimulation to affect the body. Many of these products are not regulated by the FDA and emit very high output powers or so low, that cannot feasibly work at all. My concern is that until this niche market of the medical field is focused on and more tightly regulated by the FDA and other regulatory bodies, the inherent danger of misuse or abuse of a product that deploys high power outputs, is that one can over-dose and experience unintended consequences and/or adverse effects from using the therapy without medical guidance.

Here is the main question for our discussion. Based on your experience and success, can you please share “Five things you need to know to successfully create technology that can make a positive social impact”? (Please share a story or an example, for each.)

-What: is the problem that needs to be remedied. What is the tech that needs to be upgraded, improved or invented? For this, it is imperative to know the previous market, the existing market and projection into what is to come. With BEMER, while I did not invent the tech or delivery, focuses one of the most fundamental aspect of health and feeling well. The microcirculation is one of the key regions that science and medicine are focusing on, both in early diagnostics and treatment.

-Why do people need it? Why do people think they need it? Demonstration of this need is the “lynchpin” for developing IP and ultimately the development of a product. We can see the trend in microcirculatory-related issues being identified in the past decade. The trend is rocketing up…and that is not a good thing for people’s health.

-How to create it? How to create/improve/innovate? How to market the IP or device? This part is the key factor with regard to how the user interfaces with the product. Creating a novel product that is safe, effective and easy to use should be the goal of all innovation teams.

-When does it need to be done? Optimal timelines based on market readiness and demand. When translates to…

- “Then”, because there is always the next thing. I am not one to rest on successes when the “Why” still exists in medicine as well as health and wellness. “Then…that’s what’s next.”

I believe in focusing on something (what you want, what you want to create, why you want to do it, get very clear about What and How to accomplish the goal(s) and execute with conviction following a firm, flexible but nimble strategy. Both Strategy and Tactical delivery are necessary for a successful product launch from R&D to the customer/end-user.

If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?

It is not just about you. Or me anymore. It is about the future generations. Yes, of course, be the best you can be. But do it for something more than you. Bigger than us. The all-encompassing “we”. When we take action, we are directly affected and those around us, by the decisions that we/they make on a daily basis. Yet, our actions extend from us like a ripple through our homes, communities, states, countries, globe….What we do is important. Choose your actions wisely and teach those who seek your guidance the same values that guided you in your successes. But more importantly, it is about sharing our pitfalls and failures that help others avoid failure and mediocracy. Our future depends on this. Finally, never let anyone tell you that you cant do something. You can do or achieve anything you put your mind/heart to.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

Elon Musk. We would discuss energy and how to conserve, maximize and store it. Energy is the most fundamental aspect of whether a lifeform thrives or dies. There are better ways to harness, store and utilize energy than what is commercially and publicly available. Crude forms of material are not sustainable. Yet we have potential energy all around us. This conversation is relevant on the individual microscopic level and the global/universal macroscopic level.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

I do have a podcast-like series that I do with BEMER. Once per month, I hold an online meeting on a relevant monthly subject that is specific for healthcare providers (Medical Mondays) and for everyone else (Wellness Wednesdays). Wellness Wednesdays are recorded and archived for later viewing/listening. I am featured frequently on BEMER’s social media channels to educate their audience about the benefits of BEMER. To learn more about BEMER, follow BEMER on Instagram or Facebook at @BEMERGroupUSA.

Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational, and we wish you continued success in your important work.