Tabs in the Treatment Room

Medical appointments can trigger discomfort, anxiety, or even fear—whether it’s a quick needle prick or a longer hands-on treatment. Even routine visits can feel overwhelming, making them harder to endure—and even harder to return to. When the nervous system encodes an experience as a threat, it can lead to unconscious avoidance and delayed care.

Dharma Dr. Tabs offer a practical solution—and they’re already making a difference in clinics, spas, and wellness offices across the country. Whether it’s during a procedure or while sitting in the waiting chair, Tabs help patients stay grounded and calm—transforming an overwhelming experience into one that feels more manageable.

 

What Are Dharma Dr. Tabs and How Do They Work?

Tabs are handheld devices, shaped like smooth meditation stones, that deliver alternating tactile stimulation—also known as bilateral stimulation (BLS). This rhythmic input helps regulate the nervous system, allowing people to stay calm and present in stress-inducing situations.

Lightweight, wireless, and portable, Tabs can easily be brought to appointments or offered directly on-site. They’re designed to reduce tension, promote calm—and when used in clinical settings, help create a more comfortable experience for both clients and practitioners. When people feel safer and more supported, they’re more likely to follow through with care, return for future visits, and recommend the experience to others.

 

The Science Behind BLS

BLS works by engaging the brain’s Salience Network, which governs what we pay attention to, how we respond, and what we store as memory. By calming the brain’s stress response, BLS helps shift individuals out of “fight-or-flight” mode and into a state of parasympathetic regulation—where the body feels safe and at ease.

Research underscores the efficacy of BLS:

• A 2018 study published in the Journal of Biotechnology and Biomedical Science found that just 30 seconds of tactile bilateral stimulation significantly reduced both emotional stress (by over 60%) and physical distress in over 1,100 participants (Serin et al., 2018).

• A 2019 triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial further demonstrated that tactile BLS reduced stress-related cortisol levels and subjective anxiety after completing a social stress test, showing physiological benefits and anti-inflammatory effects (Leal-Junior et al., 2019)

As neuropsychologist and Dharma Dr.’s Chief Clinical Advisor, Dr. Amy Serin, explains:

“You can’t mantra your way into calming a stressed brain—it’s too activated. That’s why we need tools that work through the sensory system. Tactile BLS resets the brain’s stress switch in under 30 seconds.”

In other words: it’s not just stimulation—it’s a regulatory signal. One that helps the brain and body return to calm, clarity, and connection.

How Providers Are Integrating Tabs

Tabs are quickly becoming a trusted resource for providers across various fields, offering a simple way to enhance care experiences. Here’s how they’re being applied:

• Sports Medicine: Easing anxiety and improving tolerance during injections

• Medical Spas & Dermatology: Providing comfort during Botox, microneedling, and laser treatments—especially for clients who are pain-sensitive or can’t use numbing agents

• Naturopathic & Chiropractic Clinics: Helping clients stay calm during acupuncture, IV therapy, adjustments, and other hands-on treatments

• Dentistry & Oral Surgery: Offering a drug-free solution to ease nerves during cleanings, dental procedures, and surgeries

• Phlebotomy & Nursing: Reducing needle anxiety and calming patients during blood draws

• Pediatrics: Introducing Tabs during vaccinations or checkups to create positive healthcare experiences early on
  

Why It Matters

When clients feel supported and calm, they’re more likely to:

• Stay relaxed during procedures

• Build trust in your services

• Return for follow-up care

• Share positive word-of-mouth
  
  

By using BLS proactively, practitioners can help clients feel more grounded in the moment and create positive associations with treatment. As Amy Hawthorne, MS, LMFT, Corporate Director of Mental Health & Wellness at Canyon Ranch, shared during a recent Community Conversation:

"We don't always have the luxury of seeing guests more than once, so if I can offer something that helps down regulate their nervous system in the moment, that experience is incredibly powerful. Even skeptical clients drop their shoulders and go, 'Oh wow.' That's the beauty—if you have a nervous system, they just work."

Interested in Learning More or Partnering with Us?

We’d love to connect.

• Submit a Partner Application: Fill out our quick online form here to get started

• Schedule a Personalized Consultation: Book a one-on-one call with our team to explore how Dharma Dr. can fit into your practice and get answers to any specific questions you have → Schedule a time