When Slow Breathing Isn't Enough: More on HRV Training Alternatives with Dr. Fred Shaffer

Most clinicians think of slow-paced breathing when they think of heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback. But what if breathing isn’t always the best tool?In this episode, Saul Rosenthal talks with Dr. Fred Shaffer delving deeper into the tips for HRV training he describes in his NRBS webinar. Fred explains how slow-paced muscle contraction can improve HRV, discusses the situations in which it may be helpful, and shares some surprising findings from his laboratory. The conversation also explores broader questions about HRV training, including what we know, and still need to learn, about resonance frequency, why some clients struggle with paced breathing, and how clinicians can avoid becoming overly focused on physiological metrics.Along the way, Fred offers a reminder that applies far beyond HRV training: use HRV as a compass, not a scoreboard.Topics include:Slow-paced muscle contraction as an alternative to slow breathingWhen breathing-based HRV training may not be appropriateResonance frequency and the unanswered questions in HRV scienceCommon challenges in HRV biofeedback trainingMeasuring outcomes that matter to clientsWhy clinicians should master the skills they teachDr. Fred Shaffer is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Truman State University, former president of the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA), and one of the field’s leading educators in biofeedback and psychophysiology.Contact us at [email protected] here or wherever you get your podcasts.Watch the video versions of our podcasts and Subscribe there as well!This podcast is produced by the Northeast Region Biofeedback Society. NRBS is an organization for professionals, students, and everyone interested in neurofeedback, biofeedback, and whole body health.Learn more about Dr. Saul Rosenthal at advancedbehavioral.care.Our theme music is Catch It by Coma-MediaThe Healthy Brain Happy Body logo was designed by Alexandra VanDerlyke. Our heartfelt thanks to her and the rest of the team at Collectively Rooted.#Neurofeedback #Biofeedback #Migraine #MentalHealth #BrainHealth #PIRHEG #HEG #PainManagement #EmotionalPain #Seizures #PrefrontalCortex #PsychologyPodcast #ClinicalPsychology #MindBodyConnection #Neuroscience #Therapists #Counselors #BrainBasedTherapy #NRBS #HealthyBrainHealthyBody