Biofeedback involves using electronic instrumentation to monitor specific, often unconscious physiological activities of a patient’s body and then “feeds back” the information to them. Once a patient becomes aware of his or her body’s processes, he or she can change those patterns to manage headache onset and symptoms. 

There are lots of different types of biofeedback available, Restorative Yarns uses a program called Heartmath.

HeartMath will help you to transform your stress into resilience, to achieve higher levels of performance and to live your life with more heart, health and happiness.

HeartMath is a system of simple and powerful self-regulation techniques which are easy to learn and designed to be used “in the moment”, whatever the situation, meaning that you can bring your best self to your professional, social and personal lives.

And what makes HeartMath unique is that you can practise the techniques using our Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Coherence biofeedback app and sensor. Coherence Biofeedback gives you real-time insight into your emotional, mental and physical state. This increases your self-awareness and helps you to develop the ability to self-regulate emotions, thoughts and behaviours.

Heart-Rate Variability or HRV is the beat to beat changes in your heart rate, and is due to the synergistic action of the two branches of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) – the part of the nervous system that regulates most of the body’s internal functions. The sympathetic nerves act to accelerate heart rate, while the parasympathetic (vagus) nerves slow it down. The sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the ANS are continually interacting to maintain cardiovascular activity in its optimal range and to permit appropriate reactions to changing internal and external conditions. 

You are connected to the feedback through either a finger or ear sensor. The output on the screen will allow you to see your level of coherence in any given moment. The coherence levels are calculated by the software and are based on your Heart Rate Variability (HRV). You will be guided through the various research-based techniques to learn to shift to higher coherence levels. Games and visualizers on the software are options during the feedback portion of the training. People say that they like learning the techniques with the verification from the computer feedback because it gives them more confidence to apply the techniques in their daily life. One of the greatest benefits of learning the HeartMath techniques is an increased ability to control and regulate your emotions. Cultivating greater balance in your heart, mind, and body can lead to decreased stress levels, higher functioning, better relationships, and more creativity.

There is a downloadable App available, so individuals can practice these skills both inside and outside therapy sessions.