Galvanic skin response (GSR) refers to the changes in the body’s production of sweat from sweat glands in the fingers tips or palms in response to a stimuli. GSR is considered a good measure of sympathetic activation in the nervous system associated with strong mental or emotional reactions. 

GSR biofeedback uses sensors placed on the fingers to measure sweat production and to help clients recognize when their arousal is increasing so they can use mind-body skills to reduce stress and bring the nervous system back to baseline more effectively.

Thermal biofeedback involves the use of a temperature sensor on the fingers to measure blood flow to the periphery of the body. The more blood flow in the hands, the warmer the hands become. Blood naturally flows to the hands and feet when we are relaxed, and naturally flows away from the hands when we are under stress. 

Thermal biofeedback teaches the client to control blood flow to the hands as a way of engaging the parasympathetic nervous system’s “relax, rest, and digest” response. This, in turn, reduces stress. Thermal biofeedback is used for a wide range of stress-related conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, migraines, and more.

Electromyography (EMG) is a measure of tension in a muscle. When the body is stressed, muscle tension tends to increase, which is why, for example, individuals struggling with anxiety or stress report tightness and tension in their shoulders, neck, and jaw. In EMG biofeedback, the client is able to see how much tension is in a particular set of muscles that are being trained and then use mind-body techniques to reduce that tension. EMG biofeedback provides immediate feedback to the client about how well they are reducing tension. After number of sessions, client note less muscle soreness and tightness, as well as improved mental and emotional well-being.

When the body is stressed, the sympathetic nervous system is activated and causes an increase in heart rate. Heart Rate Biofeedback can be used to train a slower heart rate, which in turn encourages parasympathetic activation. Since the sympathetic (i.e., “fight or flight”) and the parasympathetic (i.e., “rest and digest) branches of the autonomic nervous system cannot be active at the same time, training a slower heart rate over time encourages parasympathetic dominance.

The breath is a bodily function over which we have conscious influence (e.g., you can slow your breath down or speed it up). Slowing down the breath is fundamental to engaging the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. When we breath at a slower, even pace deeper into the belly, we become more relaxed, heart rate slows, and HRV can even increase. With Respiratory Biofeedback, the client learns to slow and steady the breath, which leads to reduced stress with increased parasympathetic dominance.