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Biofeedback equipment for home use

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Biofeedback equipment for home use

Posted by Paul [2952.8244] on October 06, 2009 at 18:01:34:

Hi Walt,
Thanks for the great site, there seems to be lots of good information here. I was wondering if you have any recommendations for relatively inexpesive (< $100) biofeedback equipment that can be used at home. I have just started practising skilled relaxation and would like to know if I'm reaching the alpha level. I could try to find someone to test me, but it would be nice to be able to check periodically at home.

The reason I ended up on this site is that I have had costochondritis for about 5 months. It's relatively mild compared to some of the other people, but it is still causing problems for me whenever I do more strenuous activities (sports, lifting heavy objects, etc) and I would like to get rid of it.

Thanks!


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Re: Biofeedback equipment for home use

Posted by AT [7059.4426] on October 06, 2009 at 19:52:35:

In Reply to: Biofeedback equipment for home use posted by Paul [2952.8244] on October 06, 2009 at 18:01:34:

Walt always suggested a GSR from E-Bay but a professional would be better. Others have recommended the stress eraser, etc. Check these archives:


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Re: Biofeedback equipment for home use

Posted by Walt Stoll [93.7902] on October 07, 2009 at 07:18:29:

In Reply to: Biofeedback equipment for home use posted by Paul [2952.8244] on October 06, 2009 at 18:01:34:

Thanks, Paul.

Listen to AT. Since very few people ever need a biofeedback instrument more than a month, there should be many $300 machines for sale on E-Bay for a lot less. Once you have certified your own technique, you should be able to sell it back via E-Bay.

Let us know what you learn and how you do.

Walt

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Re: Biofeedback equipment for home use

Posted by James [2174.8095] on October 07, 2009 at 07:34:30:

In Reply to: Biofeedback equipment for home use posted by Paul [2952.8244] on October 06, 2009 at 18:01:34:

One of the companies I consult with just did a review of every consumer based biofeedback system we could find around the world. I posted the info here a few weeks back.

The popular GSR2 received less than one star out of 5 most of the others we not any higher. One model, The Stress Buster GSR from New Zealand was the top rated but still was far below the professional models.

If you watch E-Bay you can find some high quality professional models from J&J or Thought Technology - they tend to sell immediately so keep checking. Some of these originally sold for around $1,000 but can be bought used for $300 or so - everything else on E-bay is pretty much junk...we tested them all.

Even though I have been using biofeedback and doing meditation for many years I still like to have a quality instrument around to do tune-ups.

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Re: Biofeedback equipment for home use

Posted by James [2174.8095] on October 07, 2009 at 08:21:53:

In Reply to: Biofeedback equipment for home use posted by Paul [2952.8244] on October 06, 2009 at 18:01:34:

As a post script - The EDA BioScan were good units. The company stopped making them about a year ago due to major increases in manufacturing costs. We did not test them since they are no longer available but I do know a physiotherapist who has several new units she is selling as she retires from practice.

I know some of the members here have posted on using them

Here is some info on the instruments.

http://www.mindalive.com/2_3.htm

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Re: Biofeedback equipment for home use

Posted by Paul [2952.8244] on October 08, 2009 at 11:48:46:

In Reply to: Re: Biofeedback equipment for home use posted by AT [7059.4426] on October 06, 2009 at 19:52:35:

Thanks for all the responses! I'm thinking about getting the stress eraser [1]. But from what I can tell this only measures heart rate and breathing. Are these accurate indicators of whether I'm reaching alpha or theta eeg waves?

[1]http://stresseraser.com/

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Re: Biofeedback equipment for home use

Posted by AT [7059.4426] on October 08, 2009 at 16:33:24:

In Reply to: Re: Biofeedback equipment for home use posted by Paul [2952.8244] on October 08, 2009 at 11:48:46:

Paul, have you read any posts by James? Here is one from last week and the thread might enlighten you about SR.


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Re: Biofeedback equipment for home use

Posted by Paul [8353.8244] on October 10, 2009 at 19:45:29:

In Reply to: Re: Biofeedback equipment for home use posted by AT [7059.4426] on October 08, 2009 at 16:33:24:

Ok, I read the thread you referenced, but I'm not sure what I was supposed to get out of it.

My question is whether I can tell if I'm reaching alpha/theta waves based on my heart rate and breathing. If I can't, then there doesn't seem to be any reason to purchase one of these relaxation devices.

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Re: Biofeedback equipment for home use -- Why? Archive.

Posted by Walt Stoll [93.7902] on October 11, 2009 at 07:07:54:

In Reply to: Re: Biofeedback equipment for home use posted by Paul [8353.8244] on October 10, 2009 at 19:45:29:

Paul,

I do not know how to say it more plainly: In my opinion, the alpha technology is still too expensive and difficult to use. Theta is not worth the bother for health purposes. AND the GSR is the most reliable and least expensive technology IF what one is interested in is health promotion and stress storage reduction!

Walt

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Re: Biofeedback equipment for home use -- Why? Archive.

Posted by Paul [8353.8244] on October 12, 2009 at 15:24:41:

In Reply to: Re: Biofeedback equipment for home use -- Why? Archive. posted by Walt Stoll [93.7902] on October 11, 2009 at 07:07:54:

Ok, I think you answered my question. From reading your book (maybe not carefully enough) I was under the impression that it's necessary to reach the correct alpha state to receive the health benefits. And my question was whether the non-EEG measurements are accurate indicators of achieving the alpha state.

I don't think I got an answer to that question, but from what you are saying, it shouldn't matter. The GSR machines are reliable enough relaxation indicators for home use to be beneficial. Which means that either they are fairly reliable indicators of alpha brain waves, or the alpha brain waves are not necessary.

Please correct me if I'm still missing anything. Thanks!

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Re: Biofeedback equipment for home use -- Why? Archive.

Posted by Walt Stoll [93.7937] on October 12, 2009 at 15:44:15:

In Reply to: Re: Biofeedback equipment for home use -- Why? Archive. posted by Paul [8353.8244] on October 12, 2009 at 15:24:41:

Thanks, Paul.

In my opinion, the GSR monitor is (cost/benefit analysis) the best bang for the buck. Maybe, someday, the alpha machines will become cost/benefit better than the GSR.

Hope this helps.

Walt

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