Download Serendipity Healing Arts Lexington, NC (336) 406

Serendipity Healing Arts
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Lexington, NC
(336) 406-3006
(336) 409-2554
Services and Overview
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 1 of 19
Serendipity Healing Arts
W
elcome to Serendipity Healing Arts Stress Reduction Clinic &
Biofeedback Lab. At Serendipity we believe that optimum health comes
from taking care of the body, mind, and spirit.
Serendipity Healing Arts (SHA) provides patients with current, relevant education and
training in managing stress, anxiety, sleep problems, pain, and other conditions that can
affect your overall health.
SHA uses a holistic health model and believes it is important to understand that mental
health issues and physical health (medical) are inter-related. Discussion of mental
health will often address physical health.
All SHA patients must sign an informed consent, undergo an assessment, and fill out a
pre-treatment survey.
Patients participating in SHA services have the desire to assume a greater responsibility
for their own health, and therefore chose to have a greater involvement in their
treatment services.
SHA staff are not medical doctors, naturopathic or homeopath doctors, and are not
professionals in the physical health field. The SHA staff does not purport to perform
conventional medical diagnosis or treatment of disease.
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 2 of 19
Serendipity Healing Arts Staff
Robert E. Longo, LPC, NCC. Director
Rob is a Licensed Professional Counselor in North Carolina, and a National Board
Certified Counselor.
Deborah P. Longo, BSW, ACBSW. Associate
Deb has her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and is retired from the State of North
Carolina.
I understand that mental health issues and physical health (medical) are related. Discussion of
mental health will often involve discussion of physical health. I understand that Robert Longo
and the staff of the Serendipity Healing Arts do not purport to perform conventional medical
diagnosis or treatment of disease.
I fully understand that Robert Longo and the staff of the Serendipity Healing Arts are not,
medical doctors, naturopathic doctors, homeopaths, or any other professional in the physical
health field.
I maintain that I am not seeking conventional medical diagnosis or treatment procedures from
Serendipity Healing Arts. Rather, I am seeking their advice/services because I have a desire to
assume a greater responsibility for my own health and a greater involvement in my treatment.
I thoroughly understand that participation in counseling with Robert Longo and the staff of the
Serendipity Healing Arts does not replace medical consultation and diagnosis with qualified
medical professionals.
I also understand that Robert Longo’s and Serendipity Healing Arts’ staff counseling is not
intended to be in any conflict with other recommendations or treatments I may be receiving
from other practitioners in the mental health or physical health fields that may be licensed by
State or Federal laws.
I understand that any decisions I make regarding my mental or physical health and
treatment, and the consequences of such decisions, are solely my own and I cannot hold
Robert Longo and the staff of the Serendipity Healing Arts responsible.
Name_________________________________________________________________
Signature____________________________________________Date______________
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 3 of 19
SERVICES
Stress Reduction
What Is Stress?1
Stress is a combination of physiological and emotional responses to an event. Many
people with high levels of stress feel anxiety. Some of the physiological responses may
include:

Increased heart rate and blood pressure

Sweating
● Dry mouth

Tight muscles
● Headaches
Some of the cognitive or emotional responses include:

Negative Self-talk

Restlessness

Inability to concentrate

Sleep problems

Lack of focus

Physiological problems
What You Can Do to Reduce Stress
It is not uncommon for people to experience stress and anxiety in everyday life. A
positive attitude, a balanced approach to life, a healthy diet, and relaxation exercises are
just some of the ways you can combat stress. This manual provides tips on how to
reduce stress in your life. Sometimes stress can grow into a more serious problem. If
you feel depressed, have prolonged insomnia or indigestion problems due to your
anxiety, seeing a professional is important.
Learning to breathe ~ The First Step
Diaphragmatic Breathing2
Diaphragmatic breathing is the healthiest way of breathing and is a first step in
normalizing your breathing in order to manage anxiety or panic symptoms.
Diaphragmatic breathing is also the most natural way of breathing. Observe how a very
young baby breathes - they will use their diaphragm/belly with each breath. Years of
1
2
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/stress.html
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 4 of 19
poor posture, anxious thinking, tension and pressure will usually result in breathing
patterns which are less-than-ideal and which will commonly involve:
1.
Rapid, upper chest breathing... leading to
2.
Over breathing... leading to
3.
Depletion of carbon dioxide stores
Relearning to use your diaphragm in breathing and to reduce your rate of breathing is
an important first step in managing the symptoms of anxiety, anger, panic, etc. The
diaphragm is the most efficient muscle of breathing. It is a large, dome-shaped muscle
located at the base of the lungs. Your abdominal muscles help move the diaphragm and
give you more power to empty your lungs. But chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) may prevent the diaphragm from working effectively.
When you have pulmonary disease, air often becomes trapped in the lungs, pushing
down on the diaphragm. The neck and chest muscles must then assume an increased
share of the work of breathing. This can leave the diaphragm weakened and flattened,
causing it to work less efficiently.
Diaphragmatic breathing is intended to help you use the diaphragm correctly while
breathing to:

Strengthen the diaphragm

Decrease the work of breathing by slowing your breathing rate

Decrease oxygen demand

Use less effort and energy to breathe
Diaphragmatic breathing technique
1. Lie on your back on a flat surface or in bed, with your knees bent and your head
supported. You can use a pillow under your knees to support your legs. Place one hand
on your upper chest and the other just below your rib cage. This will allow you to feel
your diaphragm move as you breathe.
2. Breathe in slowly through your nose so that your
stomach moves out against your hand. The hand on your chest should remain as still as
possible.
3. Tighten your stomach muscles, letting them fall inward as you exhale through pursed
lips (see "Pursed Lip Breathing Technique"). The hand on your upper chest must remain as
still as possible.
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 5 of 19
When you first learn the diaphragmatic breathing technique, it may be easier for you to
follow the instructions lying down, as shown on the first page. As you gain more
practice, you can try the diaphragmatic breathing technique while sitting in a chair, as
shown below.
To perform this exercise while sitting in a chair:
1. Sit comfortably, with your knees bent and your shoulders, head
and neck relaxed.
2. Place one hand on your upper chest and the other just below your
rib cage. This will allow you to feel your diaphragm move as you
breathe.
3. Tighten your stomach muscles, letting them fall inward as you
exhale through pursed lips (see "Pursed Lip Breathing Technique"). The hand on your
upper chest must remain as still as possible.
Note: You may notice an increased effort will be needed to use the diaphragm correctly.
At first, you'll probably get tired while doing this exercise. But keep at it, because with
continued practice, diaphragmatic breathing will become easy and automatic.
How often should I practice this exercise?
At first, practice this exercise 5-10 minutes about 3-4 times per day. Gradually increase
the amount of time you spend doing this exercise, and perhaps even increase the effort
of the exercise by placing a book on your abdomen.
Biofeedback
What is Biofeedback?
Biofeedback is a non-invasive, non-medical technique in which people learn to use their
own body’s signals to improve their health. Biofeedback training teaches how to
consciously change and control the body's vital functions that are normally
unconscious, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, through information
provided by electronic devices/sensors that take readings through a software program.
This process gives the patient moment by moment information about their
physiological conditions, of which they are normally unaware.
SHA provides patients with the opportunity to learn basic biofeedback techniques
through the use of the Wild Divine Project® hardware and software3, and HeartMath®.
Patients place sensors on the fingers of one hand which measure heart rate and skin
3
www.wilddivineproject.com
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 6 of 19
conductivity levels (sweaty hands); both of which increase when you are anxious and
stressed, and decrease as you become more relaxed. Another probe will be placed on
your finger to measure your skin temperature; which increases as you become more
relaxed and less anxious.
Biofeedback has been shown to be effective with many stress related disorders and
conditions that may be made worse under stress such as high blood pressure, muscle
pain, migraine and tension headaches, and anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks,
phobias, and obsessive –compulsive disorder. The biofeedback professional serves as a
coach and the patient as the trainee.
The Healing Rhythms® software guides the patient through 15 relaxation steps. Each
step includes an overview (Inspiration) two (Mind/Body) practice events, and a
Biofeedback Event that guides the patient through the various components of practicing
stress reduction and biofeedback techniques. HeartMath® software guides the patient
through detailed relaxation and breathing techniques
Patients are encouraged to practice learned relaxation techniques at home between
sessions.
Thermofeedback
Biofeedback is a comprehensive term that covers a variety of treatment modalities
including physical biofeedback (heart rate), neurofeedback, thermofeedback, and the
use of training applications such as neurofeedback brain wave training and alpha wave
stimulation (CES). Thermofeedback is the use of body temperature sensors to help the
patient monitor and control body temperature which in turn increases proper blood
flow to the extremities and the brain.
During thermofeedback the patient should practice relaxation and breathing
techniques. Individuals can purchase units on line or from SHA. The unit is used as
follows: Tape the blue probe at the end of the wire to the middle section of the middle
finger of the non-dominant hand with cloth or bandage tape. If using the Stress
Thermometer model, make sure the green switch on the bottom right corner is in the
down position set to “body Stress”.
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 7 of 19
If the Thermofeedback Thermometer unit stops working and/or needs a new battery,
please check with the manufacturer.
How Biofeedback Works
Sensors are placed on your fingers or ear lobe. You are then instructed to use relaxation,
meditation, or visualization to bring about the desired response, whether it is muscle
relaxation, lowered heart rate, or lower temperature. The biofeedback device reports
progress by changes in the vital signs being monitored. The results of biofeedback are
measured in the following ways:
 skin temperature (Thermo-feedback)
 electrical conductivity of the skin (SCL)
 heart rate, with an electrocardiograph (ECG)
 brain-wave activity, with an electroencephalograph {EEG)
Biofeedback Measures:
Thermofeedback Temperature: The measure of body temperature via the finger in
degrees Fahrenheit. 90+ is very relaxed; 82-89 = relaxed; 70-81 stressed; <72 very stressed
and tense.
Skin Conductivity Level (SCL): The measure of sweat and moisture in the fingers, the
lower the measure the more calm and less anxious, measures over 2.0 indicate
anxiety/stress.
Coherence (Coh): Coherence is the interaction of the body’s heart rate, SCL, and
breathing which then registers in the brain as a relaxed state. To achieve good
coherence the patient needs to have a coherence of .80 or higher up to .99
Heart Rate Variance (HRV): During biofeedback when the heart rate becomes rested
and even between beats; the body and mind are more relaxed and a smooth sinus
rhythm appears.
Conditions Treated by Biofeedback
Biofeedback is particularly useful and can help with stress-related conditions where
there is sympathetic or adrenal stress. It is also useful for conditions where there is
inadequate control over muscle groups or muscle dysfunction. Conditions treated with
biofeedback include but are not limited to:
● stress ● headaches ●asthma ●muscle injury ●pain relief ●insomnia ● TMJ
● high blood pressure ● digestive disorders ● attention deficit disorder
● irritable bowel syndrome ● hyperactivity
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 8 of 19
Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES)4
What is CES (Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation or Neurotherapy)
Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) involves the use of the Alpha Stim 100 ®, a
small hand held device that delivers small electrical pulses, one milliampere (mA) or
less, directly to the brain, using electrodes attached to the earlobes. Pulses are used to
promote relaxation, sleep, and relieve some psychological and emotional conditions like
depression and anxiety. CES electro-technology causes production or reduction of
certain neurochemicals in the brain. For example, levels of norepinephrine and
dopamine, (that reflect relaxed mental and emotional states), can increase using CES
technology, and biochemical compounds related to emotional stress can be seen to
decrease. Cortisol is an important hormone (also know as the stress hormone) in the
body, is secreted by the adrenal glands and involved in many functions including
regulation of blood pressure. Cortisol is an important and helpful part of the body’s
response to stress. Higher and more prolonged levels of cortisol in the bloodstream (like
those associated with chronic stress) have been shown to have negative effects.
How does CES work?
The Alpha Stim 100 the proven ability to alter brain wave patterns through electronic
stimulation. This stimulation is delivered through two small earclips attached to the ear
lobes. The micro-current stimulation quickly and gently coaxes the brain into the
desired state ....without effort. Effectively, CES offers a host of benefits. All of these
benefits are centered around the brain, which is in control of the rest of the body.
4
http://alpha-stim.com/default.htm
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 9 of 19
Cortisol and Your Body5
Cortisol is an important hormone in the body, secreted by the adrenal glands and
involved in the following functions and more:
● Proper glucose metabolism
● Regulation of blood pressure
● Insulin release for blood sugar maintenance
● Immune function
● Inflammatory response
Normally, it’s present in the body at higher levels in the morning, and at its lowest at
night. Although stress isn’t the only reason that cortisol is secreted into the
bloodstream, it has been termed “the stress hormone” because it’s also secreted in
higher levels during the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response to stress, and is responsible for
several stress-related changes in the body. Small increases of cortisol have some
positive effects:
● A quick burst of energy for survival reasons
● Heightened memory functions
● A burst of increased immunity
● Lower sensitivity to pain
● Helps maintain homeostasis in the body
While cortisol is an important and helpful part of the body’s response to stress, it’s
important that the body’s relaxation response to be activated so the body’s functions
can return to normal following a stressful event. Unfortunately, in our current highstress culture, the body’s stress response is activated so often that the body doesn’t
always have a chance to return to normal, resulting in a state of chronic stress. Higher
and more prolonged levels of cortisol in the bloodstream (like those associated with
chronic stress) have been shown to have negative effects, such as:
● Impaired cognitive performance
● Suppressed thyroid function
● Blood sugar imbalances such as hyperglycemia
● Decreased bone density
● Decrease in muscle tissue
● Higher blood pressure
● Lowered immunity and inflammatory responses in the body, slowed wound healing,
and other health consequences
● Increased abdominal fat, which is associated with a greater amount of health
problems than fat deposited in other areas of the body. Some of the health problems
5
http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 10 of 19
associated with increased stomach fat are heart attacks, strokes, the development of,
higher levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and lower levels of “good” cholesterol
(HDL), which can lead to other health problems!
To keep cortisol levels healthy and under control, the body’s relaxation response should
be activated after the fight or flight response occurs. You can learn to relax your body
with various stress management techniques, and you can make lifestyle changes in
order to keep your body from reacting to stress in the first place.
Electroencephalography - Mini-Q qEEG
Mini-Q qEEG
Electroencephalography (e-lec-tro-enceph-a-lo-graphy ~ EEG) is a neurological
diagnostic procedure that records the changes in electrical potentials (brainwaves,
Delta, Theta, Alpha & Beta) in various parts of the brain. The EEG is a recording of the
electrical activity of the brain from the scalp.
Quantitative Electroencephalography (qEEG) is the measurement, using digital
technology, of electrical patterns at the surface of the scalp which primarily reflect
cortical activity or "brainwaves". A multi-electrode recording of brain wave activity is
recorded and converted into numbers by a computer. These numbers are then
statistically analyzed and are converted into a color map of brain functioning. The SHA
staff will explain your brain map to you.
Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback, also called neurotherapy, neurobiofeedback or EEG biofeedback is a
therapy technique that presents the patient with realtime feedback on brainwave
activity, as measured by sensors on the scalp, typically in the form of a video display,
and sound.
Neurofeedback is a subset of biofeedback and before beginning neurofeedback, patients
are encouraged to begin Biofeedback in order to reduce anxiety.
When brain activity changes in the direction desired by the neurofeedback protocol, a
positive "reward" feedback is given to the patient. Rewards/Reinforcements can be as
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 11 of 19
simple as a change in pitch of a tone or as complex as a certain type of movement of a
character in a video game.
The most common and well-documented use of neurofeedback is in the treatment of
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Multiple studies have shown neurofeedback to
be useful in the treatment of ADHD.
Other areas where neurofeedback has been researched include treatment of substance
abuse, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), learning
disabilities, Bipolar Disorder, Conduct Disorder, anger and rage, cognitive impairment,
migraines, headaches, chronic pain, autism spectrum disorders, sleep dysregulation,
post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI).
The FDA notes that Biofeedback is a standard relaxation “Therapy”. Biofeedback and
neurofeedback are primarily operant conditioning, reinforcement of a naturally
occurring event. The patient can reinforce the desired brain activity with EEG. When a
patients EEG trains (neurofeedback) enough he/she gets permanent change in 15-40
sessions; and the average change occurs in 20-25 sessions.
Our daily lives are filled with times when we use feedback to help us improve
performance of a task. Consider, for example, how much easier it is to control the speed
of a car when you can look at the visual feedback provided by the speedometer. You
also get clues about your speed from the sound of the engine (auditory feedback).
Shaving in the morning is a lot easier (and safer!) with the visual feedback provided by
one's reflection in the bathroom mirror. Neurofeedback works by giving you instant
real-time information about your brain waves. You can then use that information to
control brain wave activity.
HearthMath Overview6
Think with your head, not with your heart" is sound advice if you don't know that the
heart is profoundly--and literally--connected to the brain. Literally, because researchers
have revealed that there are more nerves going from heart to brain than from brain to
heart. Profoundly, because they've also showed that thoughts and feelings are
generated by a complex bio-machinery that involves the brain, the nervous system, and
various hormonal reactions. The heart plays a vital role in regulating this machinery
and creating mind-body harmony.
6
http://www.heartmath.com/company/proom/pr/transforming_anger.html
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 12 of 19
As the brain begins to develop it grows from the bottom up. Starting from the most
primitive part of the brain (the brainstem), the emotional centers (the amygdala and the
hippocampus) begin to emerge. It is well known to brain researchers that the thinking
brain then grows out of the emotional regions.
The brain/mind is generally associated with processes such as thought, imagery,
memorization, planning, deduction, calculation, manipulation. The heart is associated
with feeling qualities such as care, love, wisdom, intuition, compassion, understanding,
security, and appreciation. The heart communicates with the brain through three
methods: 1) neurologically, nerve impulses. 2) biochemically, hormones, and 3)
biophysically, pressure waves.
HeartMath researchers say that with every beat of the heart intricate messages are being
sent to the entire body. Their research shows a critical link between the heart and
emotions and demonstrates how the heart responds to emotional and mental reactions.
As we experience emotional reactions like frustration, irritation, anxiety, worry, guilt or
anger, heart rhythms become incoherent, or jagged, which interfere with the
communication between the heart and brain. These emotions create a chain reaction in
the body. Blood vessels constrict, blood pressure rises, and the immune system is
weakened. This consistent imbalance can put a strain on the heart and other organs, and
eventually lead to serious health problems.7
The slightest emotional change shows up immediately in both a change in heart rate
and a change in the HRV pattern. Anger and frustration for example creates increased
disorder and incoherence in the heart’s rhythms. When we feel stressed or edgy we
create a disordered heart rhythm. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is the measurement of
beat-to-beat changes in the heart rate. It is normal and healthy for the heart rate to vary,
and loss of naturally occurring variability is actually a sign of disease and a strong
predictor of future health problems.
HeartMath’s research demonstrates that when you intentionally shift to a positive
emotion, heart rhythms immediately change. A shift in heart rhythms, from chaotic to
coherent, creates a favorable cascade of neural, hormonal, and biochemical events that
benefit the entire body. The stress-reducing effects are both immediate and long-lasting.
Emotions like frustration, insecurity and depressing feelings are stressful and inhibit
optimal health and performance. Positive emotions like appreciation, care, and love not
only feel good, they promote health, performance and well being.
7
(http://www.heartmath.com/company/proom/pr/stress_not_what_used.html)
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 13 of 19
Activating heart intelligence, managing the mind, and managing the emotions results in
energy efficiency, increased coherence (coherence is efficiency in action), enhanced
awareness, and greater productivity.
Figure 1: heart rhythms when stressed
Figure 2: heart rhythms when feeling a positive emotion
Figures above from: http://www.emtechmedia.com/emtech_media_faqs.html
Enhanced HeartMath8
The following is a summary of enhanced HearthMath techniques that combine
HeartMath, Mindfulness, and BrainGym®, into an easy to use process.
Step #1 Recognize the stressful/anxious thought/feeling and “Freeze-Frame It (put a
frame or box around it as if it were a still picture).9 Move it aside (remove it
from your present thoughts).
Step #2 Next, bring your awareness to your heart. Breathe into your heart, and then
keep your focus there for 10 seconds or longer. Do this with hook-ups.
Bringing awareness to the body, brings stillness to the mind.
Beckie Ballard; HeartMath Workshop; Old Vineyard Behavioral Health Services, May 27, 2008.
If the patient is not doing this in the moment (when there is a negative thought/feeling; but rather
practicing this technique, the patient may begin with “PACE” before step #1.
8
9
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 14 of 19
Step #3 Now, recall/remember a positive, fun experience with positive feelings You
Have had in your life (an old or recent memory that brings you joy ~ use a
Somatic memory, one that creates a feeling of peace and calm and may include
smells, tastes, feeling/touch, seeing/visions), and try to re-experience it.10
Experience the joyful positive feelings in your heart and in your body. It is
important that you “feel” the experience. Use a mindfulness approach.11
Step #4 Once you have experienced the positive feeling(s), using your intuition,
Common sense, and sincerity, ask your heart what would be a more efficient
response (i.e., calm, peaceful, positive behavior (keeping hands to self), to the
situation… one that would minimize future stress. Create an image and attach
a feeling to the image.
Step #5 Finally, focus on this image in your mind and breathe this image (frame the
image by using “hook-ups”. Framing creates a boundary in the mind), into
your heart center.
Step #6 Next, do 3-4 cross crawls, (slowly with awareness and stillness).
Step #7 Then do several puppet crawls, (slowly with awareness and stillness).
Some Common Disorders and How We can Help
Biofeedback is not yet a widely recognized method to address sleep disorders; however,
it can help you get in tune with your body and its rhythms, ultimately aiding sleep. As
we've said before, stress can put a major dent in your ability to sleep. And since no one
can completely escape stress, the best way to keep it from stealing your shut-eye is to
learn to manage your response to it. Toward that end, you may want to give a
technique called biofeedback a try.
Biofeedback training can help you learn to consciously control certain physical
responses to stress. It begins with the use of a simple electronic device that monitors
your heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and/or muscle tension through sensors that
are placed on your fingers. These sensors give "feedback" about what your body is
For patients who may find this difficult; have them go back and identify 2-3 examples as a homework
assignment and then teach them this technique.
11 Mindfulness is observation (body awareness & mental awareness) without words or judgment ~ to
create “space”.
10
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 15 of 19
doing under certain conditions. You can then use this feedback to retrain your
responses.
For instance, when you are in a stressful situation - or even when you are just thinking
about one - your heart rate tends to speed up, your breathing quickens, your blood
pressure increases, and your muscles tense up. Conversely, by shifting your thoughts to
calming scenes or situations or by consciously taking slow, deep breaths, you can slow
your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, and ease muscle tension. The biofeedback
machine makes these reactions easier to recognize. For example, the machine may be set
to beep at every heartbeat, so you can hear when your heart is racing or when it's
slowing.
The combination of this feedback with training in relaxation techniques, such as
visualization, meditation, or even simple breathing exercises, can thus help you to
notice when stress is negatively affecting your body and actively take steps to reverse
those effects. With practice, you become better able to recognize stress responses so that
eventually you no longer need the biofeedback machine. In this way, biofeedback can
help individuals whose sleep problems stem from poor stress management, anxiety, or
obsessive thoughts.
Sleep Disorders12
There are various sleep disorders including but not limited to, difficulty falling asleep,
difficulty staying asleep, waking up frequently throughout the night, and not getting
enough sleep (i.e., the average adult needs 7-8 hours per night, the average adolescent
needs 8-10 hours per night. Biofeedback is not yet a widely recognized method to
address sleep disorders; however, it can help you get in tune with your body and its
rhythms, ultimately aiding sleep. Anxiety and stress can put a major dent in your ability
to sleep. No one can completely escape stress therefore, the best way to keep it from
affecting your sleep, is to learn to manage your response to it. Biofeedback can help.
Biofeedback training can help you learn to consciously control certain physical
responses to stress. For instance, when you are in a stressful situation ₋ or even when
you are just thinking about one ₋ your heart rate tends to speed up, your breathing
quickens, your blood pressure increases, and your muscles tense up. Conversely, by
shifting your thoughts to calming scenes or situations or by consciously taking slow,
deep breaths, you can slow your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, and ease muscle
tension.
12
www.wilddivine.com
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 16 of 19
The combination of biofeedback with training in relaxation techniques, such as
visualization, meditation, or even simple breathing exercises, can thus help you to
notice when stress is negatively affecting your body and actively take steps to reverse
those effects. With practice, you become better able to recognize stress responses so that
eventually you no longer need the biofeedback machine. In this way, biofeedback can
help individuals whose sleep problems stem from poor stress management, anxiety, or
obsessive thoughts.
Insomnia is a classification of sleep disorders in which a person has trouble falling
asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. These disorders may also be defined by
an overall poor quality of sleep. As a result, insomnia can lead to severe daytime
fatigue, poor performance at school and work, physical symptoms such as headaches
and, in some cases, depression.
Pain Management
The following are excerpts from articles that address pain management through the use of
biofeedback. Serendipity Healing Arts uses all of the techniques described in the referenced
information below.13,14
Non-medication Treatment for Pain
If you’ve been suffering with pain for more than six months, then your pain has become
chronic. You are not alone. More than 17 percent of U.S. patients seen by primary care
physicians have persistent pain, according to the World Health Organization. And pain
medications are the second most prescribed drugs (after cardiac-renal meds) in ER and
physician office visits.
A recent National Institutes of Health panel concluded that self control and awareness
techniques, like biofeedback, relaxation training and cognitive behavioral techniques
can help control pain in arthritis, cancer, irritable bowel, headache, low back pain, and
other medical syndromes. Numerous studies have shown that these approaches can be
as effective as medication in producing relief from pain and the disabilities associated
with it. Studies of both migraine and muscle contraction headaches show that
behavioral methods such as relaxation and biofeedback can be quite effective in helping
people control their pain and reducing pain medication intake.
Chronic pain sufferers are also at risk (30-65%) for developing depression, alcohol or
substance abuse and anxiety disorders. We’ve seen that it is common for pain sufferers
13
Pain Relief without Pills ~ by Rob Kall, M.Ed. and Rhonda Greenberg, Psy.D.
14
Biofeedback and Pain Relief ~ by Chris Woolston; Consumer Health Interactive
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 17 of 19
to shut off their feelings. People start out trying to shut out the pain feelings, but end up
shutting off the anger, sadness, frustration associated with pain. They end up shutting
off all their feelings as they widen the "net" trying to avoid painful feelings. This creates
a situation where they don’t even allow themselves to feel good-- to experience
happiness, joy or fun.
Chronic pain adds to the stress in life. We know that arthritics can ease their arthritis
pain dramatically by learning to relax muscles near the sites where their arthritis flares.
Back pain sufferers may start with a pulled muscle in the low back, but they end up by
tensing up other muscles to guard the sore spot, and can end up with headaches or neck
pain.
Some of the techniques which have been found to be helpful include pain management
training and structured psychotherapy. The use of biofeedback relaxation and learning
how to build your emotional intelligence entails developing new skills and taking
responsibility for your health, rather than handing the responsibility over to a health
care provider or depending on medication. Once you learn these skills, they will serve
you throughout your life. The bottom line is YOU can do something about your pain.
How effective is biofeedback?
Pain centers around the country incorporate biofeedback into their treatments, often in
concert with other relaxation therapies. These techniques rarely bring complete relief on
their own, but, in the hands of a competent technician, they can be a valuable addition
to the standard treatments of exercise and medication. There is ample evidence that
biofeedback can also ease the pain of chronically sore backs, necks, and shoulders. It
may even help relive some of the most serious and vexing forms of pain. Not every
type of pain responds to biofeedback. The therapy is not recommended for sudden,
severe lower-back pain and other aches caused by temporary injuries.
Mind-Body Therapies
Mind-body therapies are treatments that are meant to help the mind’s ability to affect
the functions and symptoms of the body. Mind-body therapies use various approaches
including relaxation techniques, meditation, guided imagery, biofeedback, and
HeartMath. Relaxation techniques can help alleviate discomfort related to chronic pain.
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 18 of 19
“Making a Good Brain Great”15
Facts about the Brain:
1) The brain is involved in all we do.
2) When the brain works right, you work right
3) The brain is the most complex organ
a. 100 billion nerve cells
b. more connections than there are stars
c.
4) The brain is a very soft organ housed in a hard shell
a. The brain’s consistency is like a combination of custard, egg whites, tofu,
butter, and Jello
b. The inner surface of the scull is not smooth, but rather rough and jagged
c. Brain injury matters – TBI can change lives
5) Many things can hurt the brain
a. TBI, stress, drugs, alcohol, smoking, sleep deprivation (less than 6-7 hours
per night, negative thinking, excessive caffeine, too much TV,
environmental toxins
6) Many things help the brain be healthy
a. Social connections, new learning, healthy diet, multi-vitamins, omega 3
fish oils, exercise, gratitude, meditation, making love
7) One size does not fit everyone
a. Obesity, ADD, depression, etc. are not simple, single disorders
8) Brain imagery is an essential tool to help people
9) The brain can change
Things you can do to create and keep a healthy Brain!
1) Protect your brain
4) Exercise
2) Eat right
5) Choices and attitudes
3) Work your brain with new learning
Top 12 Brain Foods:
● Avocado
● Blueberries
● Oatmeal
● Oranges
● Spinach
● Tuna
15
● Broccoli
● Red Peppers
● Turkey
● Green tea
● Salmon
● Walnuts
Daniel Amen, M.D. Monday, April 28, 2008 Forsyth County Day School
Serendipity Healing Arts ~ Page 19 of 19