The Symmetron Neurowave:

A Sensory Motor Integration Vibroacoustic Motion Chair

 Dan Staso, PhD

General Description

The Symmetron Neurowave Motion Chair was conceived and designed by Larry Shultz, D.C., a chiropractor who spent his entire 30-year career studying the beneficial effects of motion on the body.

The Symmetron consists of a comfortable contoured top connected to a motorized mechanism that produces a three-dimensional wave motion.  The movement can be set either clockwise or counterclockwise, and the speed is determined by the sensitivity of the person. Two vibro-acoustic transducers are imbedded in the chair’s cushion, causing it to vibrate to the sound of the music being played. The music stimulates receptors in the body directly through nerves, skin, and bones. The low sounds travel up from the vagus nerve to the reticular activating system, touching all internal organs along the way. The person becomes part of the sound through direct bone conduction. Surround sound headphones add the feature of total immersion. The gentle motion and vibratory sound create a feeling of comfort and relaxation. 

The minimum session length needed to feel the deep relaxation response is 20 minutes, and the recommended session length is 45 minutes. Session results vary from simply feeling relaxed along with a sense of well-being to reports of positive changes lasting a few days, a week or longer. The feeling of relaxation usually continues much longer than that resulting from a massage or any other type of bodywork. 

How It Works

The body is made up of 50-70% liquid. The gentle movement of the chair stimulates the flow and encourages a deep release of tension.  All the bodily fluids are affected, including extra cellular fluids, the lymphatic system, the cerebral spinal fluid, and in the spinal column itself.  Blood flow is increased in the brain. The blood vessels in the body dilate, and circulation is increased to all parts of the body. Sometimes people feel a tingling sensation in places they haven’t felt in a long time. The overall effect is a balancing of the autonomic nervous system. Stress seems to melt away. 

After a session, pain levels often are reduced and sometimes go away completely for several hours or a few days. Chronic pain often is caused by muscle spasms or muscle tightness surrounding the affected area combined with unconscious fear and anger. The Symmetron brings about a deep relaxation in the muscles and diffuses the fear and anger. This is why the pain is often reduced or eliminated.

During their sessions, some people go into such a deep state that they lose track of space and time. They may think only 15 minutes have passed when it was actually 45.  To gain the most benefit, people are instructed to let go and give into the experience. The body naturally wants to brace as it fears sliding off the cushion.  Although that never happens, they are told to let it happen. It’s a metaphor for life. Letting go of resistance becomes a conscious intention. The more a person relaxes into what’s going on, the greater the benefit. 

People are also told that they’re in control and can stop the session at any time or request a change in speed, type of music, or intensity of sound vibration. It’s up to them to trust their bodies and intuition as to what is best for them. 

Adverse reactions are rare and occur less than 2% of the time. Changing the rotation of the movement usually solves the problem. If a person has a medical condition such as a partial blockage of the semicircular canal or has a vestibular deficit, the movement may be uncomfortable to him or her and the session is quickly stopped. 

Some people worry they may get motion sick, but, in fact, this is a good way to learn to reduce motion sickness. The training process is a gentle starting and stopping of the motion and changing the directions gently. Going very slowly helps retrain the body to be less sensitive to motion. It's very rare for people to have vertigo using the Symmetron.

Separate from the motion, sound vibrations appear to have a positive effect on the entire body. Scientists funded by NASA and its National Space Biomedical Research Institute in Houston uncovered evidence that barely perceptible vibrations may stimulate bone growth, which would benefit astronauts on extended space missions. Companies specializing in commercial applications of vibration have found it strengthens bone tissue, improves lymph drainage, increases the production of regenerative and repair hormones, improves blood circulation, and increases basal metabolic rate.   

Individual Differences

Each person’s neurological profile is unique, and the speed of movement and intensity of sound vibration varies depending on whether their nervous system is over-aroused or under-aroused. Some prefer slower speeds and quieter music. Others desire faster speeds with greater intensity of vibrations. There is no “right way” of using the chair.  

Just as people range greatly in their sensitivity and responsiveness to medications, likewise with the Symmetron, the responsiveness ranges from near life-changing to merely a relaxing 45 minutes. Some do better once weekly, while others may benefit more from twice a week. The audio program may also be varied depending on the individual’s needs and preferences. Some people like mellow music while others find that hypnosis produces a more powerful outcome. Fortunately, my office offers many possibilities that allow for customizing the experience for each person. 

Brain Structure

The brain has three layers, the deepest of which occupies the spinal column, the brainstem, and the cranial nerves. The middle layer is the mammalian brain, in which reside all our emotions. The top layer is the cortex, which is only about 1/5” thick. Ninety-five percent of the function of the cortex is inhibitory. Its role is to inhibit and modulate the impulses coming from sub-cortical regions. A healthy cortex is woven tight like silk and can deal with lower impulses effectively. Feelings of resentment, anger, affection, jealousy, and love can then be expressed appropriately in the right context and the right place. A compromised cortex is woven more like burlap. Subcortical impulses seep through and overwhelm the cortex’s ability to effectively modulate them. This condition can be caused by head injury, severe emotional trauma, poor nutrition, or other factors. The result is depression, anxiety, temper outbursts, reduced attention span, sleep problems, or other disturbances. Neurofeedback helps the cortex to do what it does naturally – inhibit and modulate impulses. When the cortex is functioning at its peak, it can actually change the problem areas in the middle part of the brain. 

Recent studies show that the most primitive part of the brain, the brainstem and cranial nerves, can be conditioned. This part of the brain deals with survival issues and is felt as fear or self-protection. When there has been trauma, often this part of the brain becomes trained to expect more traumas, resulting in a chronic physical bracing and constant low-grade tension. The nervous system becomes rigid and resists change. Neither neurofeedback nor talk therapy can correct this.

The Symmetron appears to affect this part of the brain by calming it down. The bracing relaxes, which frees up energy in the body and brain. This in turn increases the flexibility and resiliency in the whole nervous system. Once the background tension has gone, a person can accomplish more with less energy expended. There is an overall feeling of calm and safety. People often report they can cope better with routine aspects of life.     

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects

Subjectively, people typically begin to notice feeling balanced in a general sense in their lives. Some describe it as feeling more integrated, more optimistic, and feeling like themselves again. They often become more authentic as they detach from all that does not represent their true point of view. They tend to gradually let go of the fear that has held them back from simply expressing and being who they are inside. One session per week is adequate; however, some may need two per week initially. There is no upper limit as to how many times a person can use the Symmetron.

Below are some comments from people who have been on the Symmetron:

º   “I felt a detached calm all day.”

º   “My daughter said I didn’t have that stressed out look on my face.”

º   “The stress at work was the same, but it didn’t bother me like it normally does.”

º    “I cleaned my house and liked doing it. Normally, I hate it and I resist it.”

º   ”That night I had the best sleep of my life.”

º    “At the office the next day, I was more focused and less anxious.”

º   “Things that would usually make me feel tense or anxious didn’t bother me. My mood was more even, I was able to handle stress better, and I felt improved concentration and increased confidence.”

º   “I’m not so concerned about calling my ex-boyfriend who broke up with me. For months, I used to think about him all the time.”

º    “I don’t get that anxious feeling when working hard.”

º   " I haven't felt this calm in weeks (ok, maybe in months) and I really missed that quiet and focused feeling."

º    "I had a feeling of calm, and for two nights had a profoundly good nights sleep. Usually I only sleep that well once every six months.”

º    “My son called upset about a breakup with his girlfriend, but this time I didn’t get overly emotional like I used to. I just listened, and for once, didn’t give him any opinions or advice.”

º    “After four sessions, my attitude is becoming one of flowing with the present instead of worrying so much about everything that happens or may happen. My mind hasn’t been fixating on worries when I’m in bed or getting into loops of anxious thoughts and images that I can’t stop.”

º    “I have been enjoying the Symmetron experience in Dr. Staso's office since January 2010.  I have had about 2 sessions per month and have found a marked improvement in my ability to cope with everyday stress.  I have practiced meditation for many years and the Symmetron could be described as "meditation on steroids."  A powerful, deeply relaxed, yet aware, experience.  I have had extraordinary levels of stress at work, like so many of my friends, but I am finding that I can continue to be productive, and stay positive.  I am doing well in my career and my positive attitude is enhanced by my sessions.  The Symmetron chair is relaxing, the music soothing, and I highly recommend Dr. Staso's work.  I am very pleased with the outcome."     K.D.C. Santa Barbara

Children Can Benefit

Children’s behavioral problems are sometimes a reaction to the stress levels of the parents. Every brain has mirror neurons that mimic the emotions of others around them. Children have no choice but to pick up and consequently feel the stressful emotions of their parents. Their reaction can be expressed as non-compliance, poor attention span, hyperactivity, or argumentativeness. Parents can benefit from sessions on the Symmetron as it reduces their own stress levels, which often has a resulting positive effect on the child. Parents who wish to have their child on the Symmetron should first have at least one session of their own. 

Complementary To Other Treatments

For people who are in psychotherapy or seeing another health care practitioner, the Symmetron will accentuate and complement the treatment they are receiving. They do not have to stop seeing their practitioner to benefit from the Symmetron as there is no conflict. Rather, clients become more flexible and open to the other treatments they are having.      

Added Features

As a final note, the Symmetron can also be used as a valuable tool for personal growth and change. Some practitioners have added features to the experience such as audio-visual entrainment, hypnosis tapes, binaural beats, custom produced vibroacoustic music, brain wave biofeedback, heart rate variability training, spiritual inspiration, or Les Fehmi’s Open Focus tapes. All of these add to the already powerful results of deep relaxation generated by the motion and sound of the Symmetron. 

Dan Staso, PhD, is a licensed psychologist in Santa Barbara, CA. He has been practicing for 25 years with a career focus of integrating advances in the neurosciences with applied psychology. His practice includes biofeedback, neurofeedback, sensory motor integration, and psychoacoustics. His goal is to offer clients the opportunity to take advantage of new methods to relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety, panic, ADD/ADHD, sleep disorders, OCD, stress, trauma, addictions, and anger issues. He can be reached at 805-570-1912 or on the web at www.danstaso.com.