Do-it-Yourself Biofeedback

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We have been using the Healing Rhythms system now at Planet Massage for a couple of months. We are very excited and happy with the results. Our therapists loved it so much, I sold out of our first shipment in to days. We are offering the treatment in our clinic/spa packaged with a special stress reducing massage, as well as for client’s home use. It is very affordably priced, so if you wish to continue at home, that option is readily available. Visit us at Planet Massage for more information. http://www.PlanetMassage.com

PlanetMassage.com of FL 8:26AM September 10, 2008

A girl friend of mine recently got Healing Rhythms. I have not used it, but she likes it a lot.
The main difference between it and the others is that it is set up more like a game. Very visual.
I think it is about the same price.

Brian of VT 5:30PM August 16, 2008

I agree completely with Yara's response (above). The emWave, in particular, encourages the practice of shifting your emotional state to bring about a regulation in your system. Continued practice of 20 - 30 minutes a day empowers most people to begin to respond to stress with more appropriate positive emotions rather than the usual response of negative emotions. Positive emotions trigger a cascade of hormonal, neurological, and immunological events that are very healthy for your body and psychology of mind. I beat a 23+ year long depression in 3 months using the HeartMath tools and have trained over 300 people to similar effects.

Brad of PA 9:04AM June 22, 2008

What the author failed to do was READ THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET or view the video that comes with the StressEraser. They tell you in the instructions to NEVER breathe deeply. I use the StressEraser daily and when I don't, I have trouble sleeping and managing my stress. It is a lifesaver for me as I juggle both a career and a family. I don't know how I ever managed before I bought it. I don't usually reply to articles but I saw this one and wanted every reader to know what a truly remarkable product the Stress Eraser is!

Nancy W. , Head of Human Resources, Lighthouse Financial Advisors of NJ 7:07PM June 08, 2008

The small, hand-held and self contained GSR2 is a Galvanic Skin Response monitoring device for home biofeedback. The GSR2 precisely monitors your stress levels by translating tiny tension-related changes in skin pores into a rising or falling tone. By resting two fingers on the sensing plates you learn to lower the pitch and your stress level.
http://www.mindgrowth.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=33
The GSR Temp 2X also includes a temperature sensor for monitoring heat levels in extremities. Stress also reduces blood flow to the hands, causing cooling. The GSR/Temp 2X home biofeedback system allows you to do "hand warming" biofeedback in addition to training with the GSR2 monitor, temperature sensor, body sensors for hands-free use, dual-sensitivity meter, earphone, instruction manual and a CD with a short relaxation program.
CalmLink Biofeedback Software for Windows, or CalmLink, is specifically designed to run with GSR2 and GSR2/Temp2X devices. CalmLink works in Windows 98/98SE, ME, 2000 and XP. The main requirement is SoundBlaster compatible sound card. GSR2 connects to a computer Sound card via Microphone in jack.

Larry Klein 5:21PM June 08, 2008

I have extensive experience in stress management and have tried all three of these products. You mentioned little about the mechanisms of these products and clearly did not understand how to use the StressEraser or Emwave. All of these products do NOT promote deep breathing because that causes one to get dizzy or stressed. This is highlighted in each of the products instructions. You are doing the breathing while the device is just giving you feedback on whether it is correct. If you used Resperate correctly, it would not keep telling you to adjust your belt. You didn't mention that the StressEraser and Emwave promote autonomic balance (though through slightly different means though). You did not mention the research on these products either. I have found all these products to be extremely helpful for many people so they can avoid harmful drugs. Some people have great difficulty relaxing on their own. You should be ashamed of yourself and do your homework next time. Using these products without reading how they work is like starting yoga without an instructor or video.

Yara of NY 1:59PM June 06, 2008

This was a good introduction article into the benefits of using portable biofeedback units. But to really get the benefits of biofeedback and to truly understand the health related benefits it requires that you invest a bit of time, 30 minutes or so each day to learning the basic techniques of relaxation and stress management.
It is no different than working out with the goal of building muscles, you gotta do the reps. The at home units, which operate on your home P.C. or MAC provide you with visual stimuli as well sound which I believe aids in speeding up your learning process.
If you are dealing with a lot of stress and need to find a healthy way of managing it I would highly recommend checking out an at home unit. I know because I use one. I was struck down with a chronic illness 7 years ago and went from running marathons to using a wheel chair and I credit biofeedback as being a key player in my recovery.
Michelle
http://healthy-holistic-living.com

Michelle of FL 12:18PM June 06, 2008

I liked your story on stress. I think there needs to be more helpful information more often on the subject since it's something we all are dealing with. These new biofeedback devcies are a sign of the times. Mobile stress relief!
I happen to have the thrid one you reviewed, the emWave. I think if you kept falling back into the red then instead of getting stressed about it you might want to practice with it. Your response is exactly why you should consider using it. It takes more than just breathing. As I understood the instructions with the device (it comes with a helpful CD) they make the point that just changing your breathing alone won't have a lasting effect. If you didn't also engage in a positive emotion then that's most likely why you couldn't sustain in the green. The positive emotions are what change your heart rhtyhms, (see their website for science) the breathing is just one step, or acts like a primer to help you focus. The next step which engages the emotions is what gets you results.
Since I've been using mine I realized that I had adapted to stress as a way of life. I had sort of numbed out to my stress. Using it I've found that I'm much more aware of my emotional responses and when I'm over reacting to small things I can get back to a calm place much quicker because I'm more "in-tune" instead of tuned out.
I also like the fact that the company that makes it has done years of research on stress, so it's not just someone's idea of what works but they have proof.
Everyone is going to have something what works for them. I happen to really like this and have really benefited from it. To me the most important thing is how aware we are of our stress levels or have we numbed out to it and we're just waiting for the wake up call -- which hopefully won't be because we're being rushed to ER.

Simon K of CO 8:12PM June 05, 2008