now you can stress control

YOU CAN CONTROL STRESS NOW

Medical biofeedback for stress control, anxiety and fear

SPIRO DIAMANTIDIS MEDICAL DOCTOR

Medical Doctor Spiro Diamantidis was born in 1948 in Thessaloniki Greece. He graduated from the Athens University Medical School but in the 5th year of his medical studies, he realized that allopathic medicine did not fully meet his expectations regarding therapy. Except Europe he travelled around the world for four years including the United States, South America, Africa, China, and Japan in the pursuit of holistic therapeutic approaches. He tried to explore and study every known therapeutic method he encountered, without excluding traditional African methods or those of Asian spiritual origin. Due to lack of income as a travelling student, he survived by selling his photographs to travel magazines and drawing portraits for clients sitting for their portraits. During his journey he discovered homeopathy in Geneva with Dr. Pierre Schmidt who would become his future professor, parallel to studies in psychoanalysis. He completed his homeopathic studies in cooperation with the most renowned professors in the ¿eld. He settled in Athens in 19 and has since devoted his life to medicine. The amazing progress of his medical work fuelled his swiftly soaring reputation. As a charismatic and eloquent speaker he attracted and was followed by a huge crowd of medical students and practitioners who became members of his homeopathic school which he founded in 1985 named Medical Institute for Homeopathic Research and Application. This school has provided homeopathic education to more than four thousand Greek medical students, physicians, pharmacists, dentists and veterinarians. Five years later he founded the International Medical Homeopathic Centre built on a private property of one hundred thousand m2 providing summer education on holistic therapies to over twelve thousand international students up to now. He is a guest lecturer at the most prominent homeopathic faculties worldwide. His involvement with %iofeedback began in 192 after attaining the third degree black belt in Shotokan .arate and =en mastering during his effort to ¿nd answers to human aggression and the possibilities of transforming it into positive behaviour through martial arts and yoga. John Dollard’s old but ever contemporary book “Fear in Battle” and his frustration-aggression hypothesis was his inspiration to study human behaviour during his classes as a Karate teacher (sensei). He began by using the original old and bulky biofeedback equipment early, and when he founded the Greek Biofeedback Centre in 1983 he established his own electronic laboratory which produced the heavy and cumbersome EMG, GSR and THERMAL machines for the needs of the centre thus being pioneer of biofeedback expansion in Greece. The then popular Mowrer’s Integrity Groups supplied him with the model to work on groups with the support of psychoanalysis and Hans Eysenck and other famous psychologists inÀuenced him with their teachings. His achievements include numerous biofeedback strategies for stress control and management as well as biofeedback applications for high performance, sports, education, business and health. He is a pioneering physician who designed and implements group biofeedback applications on control of work related stress in many businesses globally. Due to his personal experience in defending against groundless and unjusti¿ed civil and criminal attacks of slanderers, attain a fully victorious outcome and counter attack lawfully while continuing on with his extensive medical work, he is known in the biofeedback ¿eld as the “veteran”, the one who has demonstrated through his survival and victorious recovery under extremely adverse conditions that he knows how to cope with stress, anxiety and fear. For the same reason as a homeopath, in the circles of international journalism he is referred to as the “Mandela” of Medicine. Complete CV in page 486.

SPIRO DIAMANTIDIS MEDICAL DOCTOR

YOU CAN CONTROL STRESS NOW

Medical biofeedback for stress control, anxiety & fear

Copyright 2006 Spiro Diamantidis Dragoumi 20 Ilissia, 115 28 Athens, Hellas Tel.: +30-210 7241700 – Fax: +30-210 7213346 e-mail: [email protected] Published by: Aristidou 1, 6050 Larnaca, Cyprus Tel.: +0357-24664834, fax: +00357-24664835 e-mail: [email protected] English translation by: Georgia Polymenea, M.D. .o¿niotou 2, 212 00 Argos, Hellas Tel: +30-27510-61283 cel:+30-677-318144 e-mail: [email protected] The author deems that knowledge and information should be disseminated freely and unhindered, nonetheless with respect to intellectual property, therefore permits the free and unrestricted reproduction, reprinting and circulation of parts of this book for educational, journalistic, writing purposes etc. yet requires as obligatory that reference is made to his name, book title and data de¿ning its publication. IS%1 60-630-817-0

Dedicated to a society of stressed people as feedback to its own stressful bio-psycho-social action.

Contents

CONTENTS PREFACE.............................................................. 16 INTRODUCTION What and how I have seen and learned............................

19

Don’t shoot “Mr.Wiz who knows-it-all” ............................... 22 Dedicated to you................................................................ 23 CHAPTER 1

THE NERVOUS AND MUSCULAR SYSTEM IN SIMPLE TERMS The central computer of the organism............................... 27 The functions of the autonomic nervous system................ 31 The action mechanisms of the autonomic nervous system 35 Levers and belts in action.................................................. 37 CHAPTER 2

THE MECHANISMS OF STRESS 'H¿QLWLRQDQGIXQFWLRQRIVWUHVV 43 Mental - cognitive stress factors........................................

46

Is stress my enemy?.......................................................... 49 )LJKWRUÀLJKWUHVSRQVH

53

I must not have stress, but how do I achieve that?...........

60

Mental - cognitive functions and pseudo-stress................. 62 “Being stuck” causes serious damage to one’s health....... 69 How is anxiety and fear generated?..................................

72

Biofeedback and stress.....................................................

76

BIOFEEDBACK CHAPTER 3

WHAT IS BIOFEEDBACK 7KHGH¿QLWLRQRIELRIHHGEDFN

79

+LVWRULFDOUHYLHZDQGGH¿QLWLRQV

85

Is biofeedback a common phenomenon?........................

90

Take the information and understand it..........................

91

Is the information from objective or subjective sources?.

92

The feedback mechanism................................................

96

The biofeedback devices................................................. 102 Before anything else understand yourself........................ 103 Exploit the information.....................................................

105

Is biofeedback meant for me?.........................................

107

What should I learn?........................................................

111

How long will it take?.......................................................

116

CHAPTER 4

GET A PICTURE OF YOURSELF Your outward actions are determined by your inner values.............................................................

119

What are my limits?.........................................................

121

Who is to blame for my headaches?...............................

126

The mechanism of convictions......................................... 129 Get an objective picture of yourself.................................

134

CHAPTER 5

PROGRESSIVE RELEASE OF CHRONIC ACCUMULATED MUSCULAR TENSION +LVWRULFDOUHYLHZDQGGH¿QLWLRQV Realize the tension to reach relaxation................................. Don’t create ghosts with your mind..................................

139 141 145

Contents

Meet your awesome “machine”.......................................

149

The secrets of image sensory recall................................ 152 Truth and myths about muscular relaxation..................... 155 :KDWLVP\EHQH¿WIURPprogressive release of chronic accumulated muscular tension?.....................................

162

CHAPTER 6

THE BIOFEEDBACK PROCESS Your relationship with the devices.................................... 165 Your relationship with your trainer.................................... 167 Your relationship with yourself......................................... 172 Detach yourself from the circumstances.......................... 185 Objectivity makes the difference...................................... 189 The advantages of global attention.................................. 190 The law of inverse effort..................................................

194

The personality of the immune-potent type.....................

196

“Do it yourself” and “helter-skelter”..................................

200

Choose your trainer.........................................................

203

CHAPTER 7

ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC BIOFEEDBACK

208

CHAPTER 8

ELECTROTHERMOGRAPHIC BIOFEEDBACK

218

CHAPTER 9

ELECTRODERMOGRAPHIC BIOFEEDBACK

230

CHAPTER 10

ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC BIOFEEDBACK

236

CHAPTER 11

STRESS AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM Anatomy and functions of the immune system..................... 245 Stress and immune-repression........................................ 249

BIOFEEDBACK

Stress and infections........................................................ 252 Stress in intrapersonal relationships and the immune system.............................................................................

256

Personality and the immune system................................ 260 CHAPTER 12

STRESS AND WORK Convictions about work.................................................... 269 Workplace stress as a social phenomenon...................... 272 7KH¿UVWV\PSWRPVRIFKURQLFMREVWUHVV

276

Are we sinking? Are we aware of it?................................ 279 CHAPTER 13

BIOFEEDBACK APPLICATIONS IN EDUCATION Theories on speed reading.............................................. 287 Theories on speed learning.............................................

290

The biofeedback model...................................................

292

$WWHQWLRQ'H¿FLW+\SHUDFWLYLW\'LVRUGHU 298 CHAPTER 14

BIOFEEDBACK & SPORTS Man or Superman?.......................................................... 303 Body alone, or body and soul ?.......................................

306

Do not forget muscle sense............................................. 315 CHAPTER 15

BIOFEEDBACK IN NATURAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION The mechanism of the neuromuscular function............... 321 Nature heals: Do you know that?....................................

325

Contents ȀǼĭǹȁǹǿȅ

THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF BIOFEEDBACK A.

STRESS & ANXIETY RELATED DISORDERS..........................

336

Anxiety neurosis Obesity Insomnia Chronic fatigue syndrome Phobias Post-traumatic phobic disorders Post-traumatic shock in children Post-traumatic shock in Vietnam veterans Panic attacks Rage outbursts Self-destructive tendency Anxiety response in patients with chronic diseases Fainting episodes Nausea and dizziness Hyperhydrosia (over-perspiring) Stuttering Bruxism Vocal chord dysfunction, functional hoarseness Tinnitus B. PAIN MANAGEMENT......................................... 353 Chronic pain syndromes Headache-migraine Pediatric headache

BIOFEEDBACK

Carpal tunnel syndrome Arthritic syndromes Torticollis (contracted neck muscles) Raynaud’s syndrome Chronic back pain Chronic lumbar-sacral pain Chronic myalgia (muscular pain) C. PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL DISEASES........ C1. Cardiovascular High Blood Pressure Arrhythmias C2. Gastrointestinal-Urinary Peptic ulcer Constipation Spastic colitis Urinary and fecal incontinence Nocturnal enuresis in children C3. Respiratory Asthma Asthma in children C4. Gynecological Dysmenorrhea Vulvar vestibulitis Dyspareunia Vaginismus Childbirth pain C5. Male Genital system Erectile dysfunction Chronic aseptic prostatitis

364

Contents

C6. Endocrine Diabetes mellitus C7. Neurological-Psychiatric Learning disabilities Hyperactivity Syndrome 



$WWHQWLRQ'H¿FLW'LVRUGHU Dyslexia Autism Epilepsy Parkinson’s disease

D. SUBSTANCES ABUSE......................................

393

Smoking Alcoholism Toxicomania (drug addiction) Chemotherapy E. CHRONIC DISORDERS.....................................

393

Neuromuscular rehabilitation post-traumatic, post-operative or post brain stroke Permanent mobility problems Scoliosis-Kyphosis CHAPTER 17

REGULATORY APPLICATIONS OF BIOFEEDBACK ([SORUDWLRQRIWDOHQWVDQGTXDOL¿FDWLRQV

401

Management of everyday stress...................................... 404 General invigoration and enhancement of performance.. 405 Overall physical condition................................................ 406 Releasing muscular tension..........................................

407

Education......................................................................... 407

BIOFEEDBACK

Speed reading Speed learning Pre-exam stress and anxiety Pre-exam psychic fatigue syndrome Creativity increase...........................................................

410

Athletics-sports................................................................

411

CHAPTER 18

DISCUSSION OF CLINICAL CASES &KLOGZLWKDWWHQWLRQGH¿FLWK\SHUNLQHWLFV\QGURPH and reactionary behavior.................................................

415

Woman with phobia, self-destructive and reactionary behavior.................................................

417

Woman with melancholy, insomnia, peculiar rheumatoid arthritic syndrome and chronic constipation...............

418

Case with phobias and panic attacks..............................

420

Case with anxiety and phobic neurosis...........................

421

Case with colitis, phobias and antisocial behavior...............

422

Case with high blood pressure........................................

423

BIBLIOGRAPHY

426

CURRICULUM VITAE

486

BIOFEEDBACK

Preface This book encompasses my experience and knowledge gathered within 30 years of research and professional engagement in Biofeedback. As a physician longing to experience deep satisfaction from my social work, I have always wanted to share with you this valuable knowledge that can expand your horizons and offer you the opportunity for optimal development of your potential. In this manner, I deem that I actively contribute to the betterment of society assisting those in need to exploit their skills, talents and adopt a positive attitude towards life. This book is addressed to those of you who have aspirations for great accomplishments and to people who consider success, balance and happiness as basic human rights and divine gifts not worthy to remain unexploited. This book was written for those of you who keep searching and who believe that life becomes more beautiful and meaningful as you grow more mature and wise. Genuine achievers and leaders on every level and in every ¿HOGVKDUHWKHVDPHEHOLHIWKDWVXFFHVVLQLWLDWHVLVVXHVIURP the maximal exploitation of capabilities, in conjunction with setting goals that are matched to ones idiosyncrasy or temperament. Thus, the visions and dreams chosen according to our potential, talents and skills can be implemented. %LRIHHGEDFNFRQFXUVIURPDVFLHQWL¿FDQJOHWKLVYLHZSRLQW furthermore provides you with the method and practices for its FRQWLQXRXVFRQ¿UPDWLRQ Your time and life are valuable entities. Utilize your time and your life by following the most objecWLYHDQGUHOLDEOHVFLHQWL¿FPHWKRGWKDWUHSUHVHQWV\RXWKHEHVW by combining information collected from you. Biofeedback is meant for you. In my countless working hours with Biofeedback, I have

16

BIOFEEDBACK

Introduction What and how I have seen and learned Don’t shoot those who “know-it-all” Dedicated to you

18

Introduction

What and how I have seen and learned I had the tendency to explore the how and why of things from very early on. The best presents for me became the “Learn how it works” books. Even in junior high, immersed for long hours in my thoughts, I was trying to imagine how the world would be if things worked differently. One day I told my teacher about an idea I had to launch DQ HOHFWURQ WR WKH H[WHUQDO OD\HU RI D FLUFXODU PDJQHWLF ¿HOG then accelerate it and drive it with maximum velocity toward its center to bombard the atom. He laughed so heartily that he became breathless. I felt embarrassed for the “bubble” I thought I had blurted out. But when he found his voice again, he told me that he was laughing from surprise and said “Son had you been born 15 years earlier you would now be the great inventor of circular electron accelerator”. My exploring disposition never ceased over the next years and continued during my studies at the medical school of Athens University. Studying human physiology, I learned that the human nervous system is divided into two basic sections. The central nervous system, part of which is governed by our will and responds to instructions, and the autonomic nervous system which functions completely autonomously, not subject to our will. I was somehow not “comfortable” with this explanation. What if the autonomic nervous system was not completely independent? I kept wondering. And even so, what is its mechanism and the rules governing it? I started looking in various sources. This was in 1966 when computers didn’t yet exist and JDWKHULQJLQIRUPDWLRQZDVGLI¿FXOW I continued building up my knowledge when I encountered biofeedback, at that time in an early research stage in several ¿HOGV,IRXQGRXWWKDWRWKHUVFLHQWLVWVZHUHDOVRORRNLQJLQWKH same direction and had already discovered that the autonomic nervous system indeed was not completely autonmous, since indirectly its operation relied to a great extent upon man’s will. I also learned that scientists were amazed by the horizons that this breakthrough opened and from the plethora of options for biofeedback applications. Much has since been revised in medical knowledge. Medi-

19

BIOFEEDBACK

cal students are now being taught that the autonomic nervous system is not entirely autonomous. Various medical specialties exploit the applications of this discovery of neurophysiology in parallel with biofeedback, which in the meantime developed LQWRDV\VWHPDWLFVFLHQFHWKXVWUDLQLQJSHRSOHKRZWREHQH¿W from its applications both clinical and not. Biofeedback counts backward into 70 years of history. HowHYHUXQWLOUHFHQWO\LWZDVFRQ¿QHGZLWKLQWKHZDOOVRIVFLHQWL¿F laboratories, and its applications restricted in research. Researchers were often confronted with phenomena subverting several of the establishments up to that time, regarding human nervous system functions and responses. On the other hand, studies focusing on human brain capabilities brought to light GDWDWKDWIRUPHGWKHIRXQGDWLRQRIWKHELRIHHGEDFNHGL¿FH Lately, many physicians and clinical psychologists have been engaged in the exploitation of the cognitive abilities the human mind possesses. The ever increasing volume of information contemporary man is obliged to process and store has emphasized the necessity to create a learning model that will exploit the faculties of the human brain to the maximum. Many human physiology researchers share the view that in everyday life we minimally utilize the brain’s potentialities. A phenomenon mainly attributable to the fact that man is neither fully aware of his capabilities nor of the methods enabling their exploitation. ,Q WKLV VFLHQWL¿F UHVHDUFK WKH VWXG\ DQG DSSOLFDWLRQ ¿HOGV biofeedback arrives to contribute dynamically and essentially. The method of biofeedback offers the average person the opportunity to comprehend how the organism functions and responds, and in particular the nervous system. Thus, a person ZKRSUDFWLFHVVLPSOHHYHU\GD\ELRIHHGEDFNWHFKQLTXHVJDLQV NQRZOHGJHDQGFRQWURORYHUKLVKHUSRWHQWLDODQGVLJQL¿FDQW\ develops inherent somatic and psychomental abilities. $OORIWKHDPD]LQJH[SHULHQFHRIVFLHQWL¿FUHVHDUFKFDQQRZ be shared with the person who is training in biofeedback. Experience that endows man with positive feelings. It is important to be able to discover simply and practically that one is capable of controlling his reactions and can avoid being driven by anxiety generating factors that have been affecting him. Trainees in biofeeback get the opportunity to enjoy deep

20

Introduction refreshing sleep, to increase endurance and performance, and experience everyday life more essentially and constructively for themselves and fellow humans. Not only students, pupils and individuals engaged in mental work, but also people who read and want to assimilate information, discover that biofeedback has the means to better utilize the brain’s wonderful “computer”. The person who is caught between the gears of daily hassles, compressed by thousands of virtually fabricated needs, becomes able to overcome them psychologically and become detatched. Smoking, food over-consumption leading to obesity, alcoholism, substance and drug abuse, among others, have always been the substitutes of repressed man, escape exits offering a sense of discharge. However, through biofeedback man masters such catastrophic discharges since he can contol them in genesis and control as well the factors which drive him to such anti-human habits. 3HUVRQDO UHODWLRQVKLSV WKURXJK ELRIHHGEDFN ¿QG WKHLU proper roles. People can better comprehend themselves and others, their needs and desires, the dynamics of human relationships and thus properly direct them in conformity with their natural destination: nothing less than human happiness. Biofeedback is a basic tool in the hands of any person who ZDQWVWRVWHHUDQGSHUVRQDOO\GH¿QHKLVIDWHUHJDUGLQJKHDOWK OLIHTXDOLW\UHVLOLHQFHDJDLQVWVWUHVVDQGDQ[LHW\PHQWDOFODULW\ work performance, sports and intrapersonal relationships and who furthermore wishes to enjoy all the positive feelings emanating from life itself. Biofeedback is addressed to people who do not want to allow pathetically unnatural actions to breed sickness upon their body or psychomental organ. It is addressed to those who want to have their own share in self-management through biofeedEDFNWR¿QGWKHVROXWLRQVSDWKZD\VDQGSUDFWLFDOSURFHVVHV that will enable them to achieve their goals.

21

BIOFEEDBACK

Don’t shoot “Mr. Wiz who knows-it-all” The audiences attending my biofeedback seminars are often comprised of people who have already followed many VHPLQDUV RQ PLQG FRQWURO VHOILPSURYHPHQW VHOIFRQ¿GHQFH self-control, self-awareness, relaxation, etc. At our special seminars on sales management via biofeedEDFNWHFKQLTXHV,KDYHPHWVXFFHVVIXOEXVLQHVVPHQZKRLQ VHDUFK RI DSSOLFDEOH WHFKQLTXHV WR LPSURYH WKH KRPRJHQHity and performance of employees, have even attended psychoanalysis seminars or group drama. Such people make a tough audience since, despite their accumulated special knowledge, they often suffer from the “know it all” syndrome: The person who knows everything and displays the mental ankylosis and rigidity this syndrome encompasses. Some of these people, irrespective of whatever they heard in previous seminars, were never convinced about their usefulness to the extent that one wonders what kind of masochism drives them FRQVWDQWO\ WR DWWHQG VLPLODU HYHQWV +RZHYHU WKH VFLHQWL¿F explanation is that it is not masochism but fear to experience internal changes, since in order to settle somewhere more FRPIRUWDEO\DQGHQMR\PRUHTXDOLW\RIOLIHRIWHQUHTXLUHVRQH to unsettle a little from the past. Such people can become anQR\LQJLQDQDXGLHQFHE\FRQVWDQWO\SRVLQJ³WUDS´TXHVWLRQV doubting for doubt’s sake and conveying disrespect towards the scientist, speaker and his effort. A few decades ago, I too felt inclined to reprimand and show them the way out. But before doing so, I tried to interpret this phenomenon based on natural law. Eventually, I reached the conclusion that these people serve some purpose in the audience and ever since I let them function as catalysts assisting the understanding of the rest. They evoke such indignation to people that the rest of the audience are brought closer to the issue and make an example to be avoided. In such cases there is no room for theories and I don’t waste my time on speculations. Besides, theories are usually employed as interpretations or preambles of actions, however I use them only when needed, that is when they are necessary in order to build or embellish a FRJQLWLYHHGL¿FH0\PHWKRGLVVLPSOH,FRQQHFWVXFKSHRSOH to the electronic devices used in biofeedback and let them get a glimpse of the way they respond during a casual and everyday discussion. Then I ask them:

22

Introduction “How much awareness did you have before about your reactions?” The reply is almost always the same: “I thought I was reacting in a completely different manner. I thought I was stressed by other things than those I found out KHUH+RZOLWWOHZHNQRZDERXWRXUVHOYHVDQGKRZVXSHU¿FLDOO\ ZHRIWHQLQWHUSUHWRXUVHOYHV,WLVGH¿QLWHO\XVHIXOIRURQH¶VHYRlution to get a real picture of oneself”. 0\QH[WTXHVWLRQLVPRUHSUDFWLFDO “How great are your chances cut down for success in any ¿HOGZLWKRXWWKLVYHU\XVHIXODQGHVVHQWLDONQRZOHGJH"´ The answer almost always conveys the self-evident: “Up to now, I headed towards success interpreting subjectively both myself and others depending on my moods. My course was rather accidental despite my misconception that I consciously steered it. Up until now, I learned about myself through theories, often contradictory or subjective processes. Biofeedback offers the objective eye that I was really missing”. 7KXVDVDSK\VLFLDQ,IHHOSHDFHIXODQGVDWLV¿HGEHFDXVH, have shown them the way to realize that biofeedback is a personal biomatic experience through which you get to know yourself relying on your objective electronic portrait which is nothing but your own emotional experiences. It is a cognitive-behavioral process based on the advances of current neurophysiology. We could say that biofeedback operates as a perfect electronic objective mirror, depicting you as you truly are. Enabling you, if you wish, to keep your true image of yourself and ornament LWHLWKHUWR\RXUGLUHFWSHUVRQDOEHQH¿WRUWRWKHLQGLUHFWEHQH¿W of other people.

Dedicated to you When I address audiences, many people ask me to deVFULEHWKHEHQH¿WVRIELRIHHGEDFNEDVHGRQP\SHUVRQDOH[perience. I give various examples, however I often feel I am QRW TXLWH FRQYLQFLQJ , GHVFULEH WKH GLI¿FXOWLHV , KDYH PDQaged to overcome and give more examples. Eventually, I can see it in their eyes that I am more persuasive, nevertheless WKHTXHVWLRQOLQJHUVRQ3HUKDSVWKRXVDQGVRIRWKHUSHRSOH

23

BIOFEEDBACK

have had the same success without biofeedback. (YHU\SHUVRQJRLQJWKURXJKDGLI¿FXOWVLWXDWLRQUHVRUWVWR his/her own biofeedback. He mobilizes his body and psychic reserves in the best way he can and tries desperately to cling to life. In such cases, if he happens to know a relevant method, he can save his strength and psychic energy resources. Without a method, even if he manages to succeed, he may sustain irreparable damages or permanent disabilities. The science of biofeedback offers you the advantage of training, so when things get tough you can cope with the situation in a more “professional” manner ensuring greater safety and certainty. You never now when you will reach your limits; however ZLWKWKHDVVLVWDQFHRIELRIHHGEDFN\RXFDQMXVWL¿DEO\KRSH that they are not too close. It is like putting airbags in your car to create a buffer zone in the case of a crash. Biofeedback, of course, is not only meant for extreme conditions. It is not just an airbag: It also represents a high tech “air-conditioning” helping you to maintain stable internal and external environments at a perfect, thus also delightful, homeostasis. I do not believe in miracles, just in marvelous things. Among these marvels lies the method of biofeedback which in our age is a great lesson for all people. Biofeedback is indispensable knowledge turning into a fashion out of need. Particularly in the United States, all dynamic companies adopt biofeedback group seminars to train their employees. Among others: directors, insurers, journalists, coaches, lawyers, students, athletes, teachers, advertisers, judges, diplomats, musicians, singers and actors turn to biofeedback seminars DLPLQJDWPRUHHI¿FLHQWSHUIRUPDQFHLQWKHLU¿HOGV With this book, I have attempted to give, in a simple and descriptive manner, all the elements one needs to comprehend the mechanisms involved in biofeedback without limitLQJLWVVFLHQWL¿FQDWXUH,KDYHWULHGWRPDNHWKHWH[WDVDFFHVsible as possible to every person who needs biofeedback as much as food and air and who has the human right to have access to such indispensable knowledge. My many years of VFLHQWL¿FH[SHULHQFHKDVSURYHQWKDWWKLVLVQRWDYHUEDOH[aggeration but an explicit reality. That’s why it is dedicated to you.

24

BIOFEEDBACK

Chapter 1

My nervous and muscular system in simple terms The central computer of the organism The functions of the autonomic nervous system The action mechanisms of the autonomic nervous system Levers and belts in action

26

Chapter 1

The central computer of the organism ȉKLV SDUWLFXODU SLHFH RI NQRZOHGJH LV HVVHQWLDO QRW RQO\ WR \RX ZKR ZLOO DWWHQG ELRIHHGEDFN EXW WR DQ\ SHUVRQ ZKR GHHPV LW SXUSRVHIXO WR HQULFK KLV FRJQLWLYH HGL¿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

Your organism is part of a circuit constantly communicating via feedback, with its environment.