Biofeedback
What is biofeedback?
Heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback uses real-time feedback from your heart to help you discover the breathing pattern that best supports your nervous system.
Train your nervous system to respond to stress with greater resilience.
Stress, anxiety, poor sleep, and feeling constantly “on” can make it difficult to feel like yourself. HRV biofeedback gives you a practical way to understand and regulate your body's response to stress so you can build greater resilience over time.
During your session, you'll learn how to shift your heart rate, blood pressure, and nervous-system response through breathing, relaxation, and mindfulness techniques. With practice, these skills can become tools you can use in everyday life, not just during your appointment.
You may benefit from biofeedback if you're looking to:
Feel calmer and more regulated under stress
Improve sleep and relaxation
Build resilience to chronic stress and burnout
Support focus and emotional regulation
Reduce the impact of stress on pain and other physical symptoms
Develop practical tools for managing anxiety and overwhelm
Enhance overall performance and well-being
Fill out the form below to determine if biofeedback is right for you.
Add-On Services
Electromyography (EMG) Biofeedback
Explore how chronic muscle tension patterns may be impacting your body with surface electromyography (EMG) biofeedback. This non-invasive sensor measures electrical activity in your muscles in real time, helping identify areas of stress or muscle tensing, especially in the shoulders, jaw, or lower back. An excellent addition for those managing chronic pain, tension headaches, TMJ, or postural imbalances.
Peripheral Temperature Biofeedback
Learn how stress affects your circulation with a simple fingertip sensor that measures skin temperature. As your body shifts between sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) states, your extremities warm or cool. Monitoring this subtle feedback can enhance your awareness of stress responses and support nervous system regulation over time.
Skin Conductance Biofeedback
Gain insight into your body's stress response by measuring changes in skin conductance (also known as galvanic skin response). This sensor tracks sweat gland activity, an indicator of sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight) arousal, providing real-time feedback to help build greater physical and emotional awareness, resilience, and calm.
FAQs
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In a typical session, sensors are gently placed to measure your heart rate and breathing patterns. You’ll receive real-time visual feedback as you learn how your body responds to different breathing techniques and relaxation strategies. We’ll work together to find your optimal breathing rate and practice ways to support nervous system balance in everyday life.
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A typical HRV biofeedback session lasts 60 minutes. This includes time for check-in, guided breathing practice, real-time feedback, and discussion of strategies you can apply between sessions. Please note that add-on services (skin conductance, temperature, muscle tension, etc.) will increase the overall session time.
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HRV biofeedback can be used with children as young as 5 or 6 years old, depending on their developmental readiness and ability to engage with breathing exercises. Sessions are adapted to be shorter and more playful to match their attention span and learning style. Teens and adults benefit as well, especially for managing stress, anxiety, attention difficulties, and sleep challenges. Each session is tailored to meet the developmental stage and individual goals of the patient.
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The number of sessions vary depending on your goals and health history. We generally recommend following our 10-week protocol, completing 1 session weekly combined with at home practice. Many patients notice meaningful improvements within 4-6 sessions, while others benefit from ongoing support over time. We’ll discuss your unique needs and create a plan that feels sustainable and effective.
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HRV biofeedback is generally safe for most people. However, it may not be appropriate for individuals with certain medical conditions, including cardiac arrhythmias, pacemakers or implanted cardiac devices, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, COPD, severe asthma, or severe dissociative disorders. If you're unsure whether HRV biofeedback is right for you, we’re happy to help you assess the fit. Book a free consultation call today.
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HRV biofeedback is non-invasive and well-tolerated. Some people may experience temporary emotional release, fatigue, or lightheadedness after a session, especially if they’re new to breathwork or deep relaxation. These responses are usually short-lived and part of the body’s adjustment process.
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At this time, we do not accept insurance for any of our services, including HRV biofeedback. While some flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or health savings accounts (HSAs) may reimburse for biofeedback, we encourage you to check with your provider. If needed, we’re happy to provide documentation or a superbill for reimbursement purposes (please note there is a fee for superbill preparation), however, we cannot guarantee that services will be covered by your insurance provider.
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Wear comfortable clothing and avoid caffeine or heavy meals right before your session. Try to arrive a few minutes early to settle in. There’s nothing special you need to bring; just an open mind and curiosity about connecting with your body in a new way.
In the heart of Del Mar, California
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Hacienda Del Mar
12625 High Bluff Dr,
Suite 101, Office 5,
San Diego, CA 92130 -
Monday 8:00am-3:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am-3:00pm
Wednesday 1:00pm-8:00pm
Thursday 1:00pm-8:00pm

