Wearables for Anxiety or Pain Management
- Jun 13, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: May 20
I've been trying out some wearables, just to see how effective they are.
These are personal, not clinical recommendations. I am not being sponsored for this blog. Please use at your discretion.
As someone who works and lives with BFRBs, this wearable vibrates when you raise your arm in order to build awareness around when you may be picking your face or pulling your hair.
Pros:
-You get biofeedback that supports your ability to build awareness.
-There's a support team and community as well as lessons on competing responses to adopt in order to learn how to resist and develop more self compassion.
Cons:
-The price can be a barrier.
Pros:
-You get to try out what neurofeedback is like without having to get wired to a system or going to an office.
-You'll see how your brain responds to meditation while sleeping or meditating and how long it can stay relaxed.
Cons:
-It doesn't always stay on so it can malfunction mid-session.
-You're not looking at a screen at your brain waves in real time.
-You have to pay a premium for meditation access in addition to the cost of the band.
-Muse 1 headband is less comfortable/stylish than Muse 2.
Pros:
-You get to experience what bilateral stimulation can feel like in between EMDR sessions and a relaxing effect can take place.
-You can wear them on your wrist or legs but must buy the bands for legs separately.
-You can alternate some speed/length of vibrations.
-Designed to look like a watch, but you can't wear your watch while wearing them unless you don't mind double the wearable electronics.
Cons
-There are not unlimited speeds/lengths of vibrations.
Pros:
-Transcutaneous nerve stimulation can help moderate pain and help you create a new relationship to pain.
-Portable, noninvasive
-Not as painful as a shot
-Can be used at home v.s. clinic
Cons:
-Can't be used during pregnancy, can't be used with folks who have heart, cancer, tumor, or skin conditions
-Only treats symptoms of pain vs. underlying cause
-Short Term, not Long Term Solution
Sometimes, I recommend trying devices if relief is not possible in between session with just thought reframing, exercise, good old phone conversations, and medication. That being said, I always say, learn to tolerate the distress and you're building mental muscles for resiliency.
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