Stress and Pancreatitis Webinar Q&A

Dr. Amy Serin, a renowned neuropsychologist specializing in stress and stress management, is the founder of the Serin Center and serves as Chief Clinical Advisor at Dharma Dr.

She recently joined Mission: Cure for our “Stress and Pancreatitis Connection” webinar, not only as an expert, but also as a parent of two sons with pancreatitis.

In this post, Dr. Serin answers questions we didn’t have time to address during the live event.

Q: How do I manage stress and pain at their various levels? How do I manage stress before pain, pain when in the hospital, and stress right after a pancreatic episode?

A: Your level of stress determines which tool is best for you at the moment. If your stress or pain is around a level 0 – 5, breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and positive thinking can help. When your stress or pain is rated high around 6 – 10, typical strategies like breathing may break down. When this happens, tools like the BLS Tab and self-tapping can be helpful. Having a strong support system, like close friends and family, can also help buffer the stress or pain felt at the moment. Remember that stress fluctuates in just seconds depending on external triggers and internal factors.

Q: Do your children carry a genetic component for pancreatitis?

A: Yes, my sons have PSSR1. Recently, I’ve learned that I have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), so I may have the genetic component too.

Q: How can Acupuncture Treatment help for chronic pancreatitis?

A: Acupuncture is recognized to have many benefits for many conditions. I, however, am not an expert in acupuncture and can’t comment on how it might help chronic pancreatitis.

Q: Is there a specific place or brand you recommend getting BLS Tabs from? Are there any you recommend I stay away from?

A: We discussed BLS Tabs produced by Dharma Dr. in the webinar. I haven’t tested and evaluated all BLS Tabs that can be found on the market. If the technology soothes the person using it, it will likely reduce stress. Keep in mind, some BLS Tabs on the market can produce a strong tap that may be distressing.

Q: Can chronic stress actually cause a flare-up or is the connection just in my head?

A: Stress can lead to inflammation and worsen chronic medical conditions. Stress may be leading to your flare-ups but you should talk to your medical provider about it since they know your specific case.

Q: Can the devices discussed be shipped outside of the U.S.?

A: Currently, no. Dharma Dr. plans on expanding to other countries as we grow. If you are outside of the U.S. and would like to stay updated on international availability, we recommend emailing our team at support@dharmadr.com or subscribing to our newsletter at www.dharmadr.com. We appreciate the interest and hope to be able to support you soon.

Q: Are wired devices (used by EMDR therapist offices, for example) cheaper and widely more accessible? If so, where can we get them from?

A: Yes, wired devices are cheaper and are still used, even being preferred in some cases. However, the benefits of wireless devices like Dharma Dr. are significant.

Dharma Dr. Tabs are designed for flexibility, ease, and portability. They come in a rechargeable case, can fit easily into your purse, and can be used either manually or with the app — which can support remote sessions with a therapist-controlled setting.

Users can choose between two intensity levels and three speeds in manual mode. The app unlocks ten additional levels of each and customizable presets. You also get to choose between audio BLS, visual BLS, and a library of guided sessions— designed to support deeper therapeutic work and regulation.

Besides functionality, many people appreciate the simple design, modern look, and quiet operation of the Tabs— especially in contrast to their bulkier, wired counterparts. Tabs make a real difference in patient comfort and engagement.

The wired alternatives can be found through EMDR-specific sites like EMDRkit, NeuroTek, or Amazon. It depends on what you’re looking for.

Q: Can kids as well as adults use BLS tabs? If so, where do we learn how to use them?

A: Yes! Kids and adults can use the Tabs. Tabs are a gentle, body-based tool designed to reduce stress, increase focus, and regulate emotions— they are especially useful for kids who might not yet have words to explain their feelings. The Dharma Dr. app also has easy guided exercises to help you get started, and you can tailor the speed and intensity to find what best works for you. We suggest starting slow and paying attention to what helps you or your child feel more focused and less stressed. A few minutes makes a huge difference. If you’re unsure, a therapist can help guide you through the process.

Q: To help us understand BLS and BLS tabs, do we need to work with an EMDR Therapist or neuropsychologist?

A: No, not necessarily! You don’t need a neuropsychologist or an EMDR Therapist to start using the Tabs. By design, they’re easy to use on your own. That being said, having a trained clinician can help if you’re feeling unsure or want to explore how BLS fits into other therapeutic uses. Otherwise, for everyday use like focus, sleep, or stress relief, most people can get started just fine on their own.

Q: Will all pancreatitis patients and caregivers eventually suffer from medical trauma and PTSD? Should we be getting assessments to check for these conditions?

A: No, not all pancreatitis patients and caregivers will get PTSD but I think that any medical problem is traumatic and sometimes the problem itself is causing the trauma. Trauma can be treated with therapy and other methods so it doesn’t progress into PTSD. Furthermore, PTSD can also be treated without medication. In fact, the gold standard of treatment for PTSD doesn’t use medication alone— if someone does have PTSD, trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) are used.

Q: Before we consider purchasing, is there any way for us to trial run BLS to see if it works for us? Are there any cost free options that we can try before committing to this device? Like bilateral music on Endel?

A: For sure. There are some easy, cost free options you can try before buying a BLS device of your own. You can start by trying “Butterfly Hugs” which is when you cross your arms and gently tap each shoulder in an alternating pattern. Or— like you mentioned— bilateral music with apps like Endel and Youtube which have tracks that alternate sound right to left through headphones can give you an idea of how it works.

Essentially, BLS is just rhythmic, back-and-forth stimulation— similar to walking or rocking. By engaging both sides of the brain, helping to regulate the nervous system, and supporting emotional processing, BLS creates a calming effect. This technique is well researched and grounded in neuroscience.

My research highlights the meaningful differences in how the brain responds to tactile Bilateral Stimulation compared to visual or auditory BLS alone— and how these modes of stimulation complement each other. I’ve observed EEG scans that show stronger regulatory effects when using the Tabs compared to self-tapping, likely because using technology removed the need for physical effort. Furthermore, with the Tabs, you’re not anticipating the stimulation, you’re simply letting your nervous system respond.

Regardless, if you’re new to BLS, it’s great to start with cost free methods like bilateral audio and see how your body’s response. Some people notice a distinct difference when using the technology-assisted version, but starting with the basics is still a good way to go.

Q: Before considering purchasing any of the devices mentioned (BLS tabs, etc.), what should we keep in mind? How can we ensure we are using the necessary tools safely and effectively?

A: Great question. When it comes to BLS tabs, it’s really about finding what’s best for you. They’re made to be low-effort, intuitive, and safe for daily use. Also, you don’t need a clinical background to start using them, there’s no wrong way to explore— some people use them during therapy sessions and others use them solo for sleep, stress relief, or focus.

Start slow if you’re curious but unsure. Try a short session and test out different speeds, paying attention to how your body responds. The Dharma Dr. app includes built-in guided options to support you, and there’s no need to overthink it— just holding the Tabs in your hands and letting them go can be enough to feel a difference.

It’s all about what works best for you at the end of the day. Everyone’s nervous system is different, and we’re here to offer a variety of tools, guidance, and resources, so that you can make the choices that feel right for your health.

Q: When should I use self-tapping? When self-tapping isn’t effective on high stress, can I ask others to tap for me? How do I find the proper tapping method? Can you share some resources?

A: Self-tapping is a great start for low-stress situations when you’re able to stay present and self-regulate. Techniques like the “Butterfly Hug” (just gently tapping each shoulder in an alternating pattern) are simple and accessible— here’s a quick demo. During more intense moments, you can ask a trusted person to tap for you, though you should keep in mind that this isn’t the same as using a device.

Why? Well, research shows that self-tapping doesn’t create the same reduction in a stress response. The cerebellum anticipates self-induced touch and adjusts the brain’s reaction. This means that the effect is less pronounced. Notely, even therapist-administered tapping can lack the consistent rhythm that technology-assisted BLS provides. EEG recordings show a stark difference: externally produced, rhythmic vibration leads to better nervous system regulation.

That’s where Dharma Dr. Tabs come in. The Tabs are made to deliver precise, rhythmic, vibrational bilateral stimulation— without requiring any thinking, movement, or anticipation. This creates the physiological state change needed to calm the nervous system— something cognitive techniques alone may not achieve, especially in moments of high stress. Once your stress response is dialed back, it becomes easier to think clearly, stay present, and process what’s happening.

So yes— manual techniques like self-tapping or bilateral music are great places to start. However, if you’re finding that these methods are enough, the Tabs offer a more reliable way to support your body and brain.

Check out this webinar with Dharma Dr. where we discuss a lot of the science behind these methods.

Q: Is there a mental health assessment we can take to understand our mental health and mental needs?

A: I don’t personally have a mental health assessment for you to take but PennState Harrisburg has a free online Mental Health Screening that you can try.