Walt,
I asked my optometrist, who is involved in alternative health practices, if he knew of someone with a biofeedback machine so I could measure my success with my skilled relaxation. He said he had such a machine, and would teach me to use it, but that it doesn't measure alpha/theta brainwaves. He said to find out what my brain is really doing, I'd have to use an EEG. Is that true, or can we assume that success with a biofeedback machine like his indicates that we've reached alpha/theta? I tried looking up this information, but couldn't find it - I've heard you recommend biofeedback as a way to discern if we're reaching the desired state of mind, but now I'm confused (NOT the desired state of mind!).
As an aside, my optometrist went to a training seminar in Colorado for some kind of colored light therapy and came back without his glasses!! He hasn't had to use them regularly for a couple of years now, unless he gets really stressed... He bought the light machine and has been working with light therapy for cancer patients and others who wish to be well. His wife is my aromatherapist. Maybe when I'm done getting Rolfed.....
be well, and thanks for all you do!
trish
Follow Ups:
Re: biofeedback questions
Posted by Walt Stoll on September 15, 1998 at 10:00:41:
In Reply to: biofeedback questions posted by trish on September 14, 1998 at 10:43:20:
Hi, Trish.
Sounds like you have a gem of an optometrist!
I was astounded to see on our local news last night a blurb that "amazingly enough biofeedback actually works to resolve many chronic conditions". Where the hell have these people been for the past 25 years????
Anyhow, one does not have to directly measure brain waves to prove that their skilled relaxation technique is producing the "relaxation response". The biofeedback machine I would recommend is the GSR (Galvanic Skin Response) since it is the one that indicates most quickly what I am talking about. A temperature trainer can be used but it takes a long time to indicate the response. A muscle machine can also be used but it also takes a lot longer than the GSR to indicate response. A brain wave machine is much more expensive and is so sensitive that there is frequently too much interference to get a good reading.
I have been depending on the local biofeedback trainer to explain all this. Sorry. I will bet that the optometrist has a GSR. Go for it!
Color therapy works well in trained hands. No one will ever convince your optometrist that it does not work now that he has expereinced it. I just gave a 2 hour demonstration of its effectiveness to a group here in Panama city last month.
Walt
Follow Ups:
Thanks for clearing that up, Walt!
Posted by trish on September 15, 1998 at 13:19:10:
In Reply to: Re: biofeedback questions posted by Walt Stoll on September 15, 1998 at 10:00:41:
And, yes, he is a gem, and so is his wife - I am so very lucky to be living in an area with so much at my disposal - it's still sort of an underground network, but the alternative health community seems to be thriving in the Chicago area. Of course we need it more with all the stressors that go along with living here!! I'll let you know how I do with the biofeedback.
Thanks again,
trish