Relaxation and
Audiovisual  stimulation (AVS)

The relaxed state achieved by relaxation often includes feelings of psychological and bodily well-being and tranquility. The goal of relaxation is to reduce the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. The practice of relaxation is associated with a decrease in blood pressure, oxygen consumption, respiratory rate, heart rate, and muscle tension. Relaxation techniques have several physiologic effects - lowering cortisol levels and inhibiting inflammation. The effectiveness of relaxation depends on the length of time practiced.

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There are several different types of relaxation techniques - meditation, breathing techniques, visualization, autogenic training, and progressive muscle relaxation. One possible explanation for why relaxation techniques relieve chronic pain is that chronic pain is maintained and intensified by psychological stress and physical tension.

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It has been estimated that it takes three months of regular relaxation practice to achieve pain reduction, and its effectiveness depends on both individual differences and types of chronic pain.

Various relaxation techniques related to reducing muscle and psycho-emotional tone, calming down and slowing down breathing are the gold standard for non-medication to achieve falling asleep quickly and sleeping soundly, reducing pain, preventing migraines, anxiety and panic attacks. With the exception of acute forms of psychiatric disorders, relaxation has no contraindications and is effective to use. The obstacle for many is the long period of time to learn relaxation techniques (three months or more) and the need to follow simple rules of healthy lifestyle and sleep hygiene.

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Relaxation is mastered faster and more effectively with synchronous external sensory influence accompanied by positive emotions of the user (i.e. with the production of pleasure hormones) - pleasant quiet music with the rhythm of breathing or audiovisual stimulation with biofeedback.

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Audio-visual stimulation (AVS) is used to improve psycho-emotional state or cognitive functions and more often refers to physiotherapy - non-therapeutic influence on the human senses to achieve beneficial results.

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The principle of AVS is based on stimulation of the central nervous system (CNS) with specific visual and sound signals of different frequencies. These signals affect the brain in different ways, depending on the sounds coming from speakers or headphones, and the light signals and video images displayed on a screen or through special glasses.

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The effects of AVS on humans have been studied in many scientific monographs, reviews and articles. Electroencephalogram (EEG) studies have shown changes in brain activity when exposed to visual and acoustic signals. AVS is effective for insomnia, pain reduction, migraine prevention, and sedation, one of the problems for AVS research is the lack of standards, making it difficult to systematically review and consolidate the scientific literature.

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The development of relaxation and AVS has been facilitated by advances in portable EEG devices, which have become available for use not only in hospitals and laboratories, but also in the home, eliminating uncomfortable masks with gel-smeared electrodes.

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AVS is usually used in conjunction with breathing exercises to promote relaxation, but there are techniques in which AVS is a stand-alone way to achieve results.