An Introduction to Bio-Feedback

The Phoenix Project An Introduction to Bio-Feedback Controlling your own body by listening to it's signals.
Introduction Bio-Feedback is a technique that's been around for some time, perhaps reaching the peak of its public popularity in the 1960s. It is the creation of an electromagnetic loop in which the patient uses his/her mind power to control basic bodily functions, such as breathing and heartbeat - functions that normally run on auto-pilot. Biofeedback is a learning process in which people are taught to improve their health and performance by observing signals generated by their own bodies. It is scientifically based and validated by studies and clinical practice. It is a highly effective way to control stress, realize true relaxation and help achieve important personal goals. Fear, over-eating, smoking, anxiety, and other problems are actually linked to, or aggravated by, stress. For some, stress is a stimulant to effective action, but for others it’s a barrier to self-fulfillment. The secret is knowing your reaction to stress, and using this new awareness as a springboard to a life in control. A life where you can release the powers of the mind for greater achievement and better health. Biofeedback is the widely-used and medically-accepted technique for teaching us to control stress, achieve relaxation, and channel talents and energies toward realizing our full potential. Our home biofeedback machines make you aware of your unconscious “involuntary” physical reactions to stress – “feeding back” subtle changes in stress levels. You’ll be able to hear or see changes in your stress level! The dangers of stress are well-documented. We have learned that stress has a real and significant effect on our health and our performance in life, work and sports.	We all know how our hands become "sweaty" before a important meeting, or a first date. This is because when we are excited or anxious the sweat glands on the hands secrete small amounts of moisture. The secret of biofeedback is that the most minute changes can be detected and monitored using a Galvanic Skin Resistance Monitor (GSR). Biofeedback offers a unique, non-invasive window on your body's stress level. It monitors and "feeds-back" how well you are succeeding at reducing your stress levels. Rest your fingers on the monitors two sensing plates and it emits a tone. Increasing tension is indicated by a rising tone. When you apply stress management techniques the tone goes down. The feedback of your success is instantaneous. This gives you the user instant understanding of what techniques are working and which are not. Biofeedback shows people how to use their mind to take voluntary control over their body. When using a biofeedback machine, your inner body’s signals are fed back to you in a tangible way. You can then make the necessary changes to achieve the results you wish.

What is GSR (Galvanic Skin Response)? Galvanic skin response (or GSR), also known as electrodermal response (EDR) or psychogalvanic reflex (PGR), is a method of measuring the electrical resistance of the skin and interpreting it as an image of activity in certain parts of the body. The mapping of skin areas to internal organs is usually based on acupuncture point. Practice GSR is conducted by attaching two leads to the skin, and acquiring a base measure. Then, as the activity being studied is performed, recordings are made from the leads. There are two ways to perform a GSR - in active GSR, current is passed through the body, with the resistance measured. In passive GSR, current generated by the body itself is measured. History GSR originated in the early 1900s. It was used for a variety of types of research in the 1960s through the late 1970s, with a decline in use as more sophisticated techniques (such as EEG and MRI) replaced it in many areas of psychological research. GSR still sees limited use today, as it is possible to use with low-cost hardware (galvanometer). Non-research uses GSR has seen, outside of the research community, usage as a lie detector, under the theory that telling of lies increases perspiration, changing the conductance of skin. Its accuracy, because of its limited scope, is believed to be even less significant than a regular polygraph. GSR is also used by Scientologists, who call their devices E-meters, in their "spiritual counseling".	More Resources

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