SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING CHRONIC AND ACUTE STRESS

1 . A method for providing a therapeutic benefit to a patient, comprising:

(a) positioning a first tactile stimulator in therapeutic contact with a body of a patient;

(b) positioning a second tactile stimulator in therapeutic contact with the body of the patient in a bilateral position to the first tactile stimulator;

(c) activating, via a controller, the first tactile stimulator to provide a first stimulation for a first time period;

(d) activating, via the controller, the second tactile stimulator to apply a second stimulation for a second time period beginning at least commensurate with a cessation of the first time period;

(e) repeating steps (c) and (d) for a therapeutically effective number of repetitions;

whereby, the first and second stimulations are applied bilaterally to the body of the patient without a patient perceivable pause in stimulation between the first stimulation and second stimulation to provide the therapeutic benefit to the patient.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first stimulation and second stimulation are substantially uniform in speed and intensity during the first time period and the second time period, respectively.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first stimulation and second stimulation are substantially uniform in speed and increase in intensity during the first time period and the second time period, respectively.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first stimulation and second stimulation are substantially uniform in intensity and increase in speed during the first time period and the second time period, respectively.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first stimulation and second stimulation increase in intensity and speed during the first time period and the second time period, respectively.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first stimulation and second stimulation are substantially uniform in intensity and decrease in speed during the first time period and the second time period, respectively.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first stimulation and second stimulation are substantially uniform in speed and decrease in intensity during the first time period and the second time period, respectively.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first stimulation and second stimulation decrease in intensity and speed during the first time period and the second time period, respectively.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first stimulation and the second stimulation are vibratory stimulations.

10 . The method of claim 1 , where the second stimulation commences prior to the cessation of the first stimulation.

11 . The method of claim 1 , where the patient comprises a human patient.

12 . The method of claim 1 , where the patient comprises a veterinary patient.

13 . A system for providing a therapeutic benefit to a patient, comprising:

first and second tactile stimulators bilaterally positioned in therapeutic contact with a body of a patient;

a controller communicably coupled to the first and second tactile simulators, the controller causing the first tactile stimulator to apply a first stimulation for a first time period and causing the second tactile stimulator to apply a second stimulation for a second time period beginning at least commensurate with a cessation of the first time period;

wherein, the first and second stimulations applied bilaterally to the body of the patient without a patient perceivable pause in stimulation between the first stimulation and second stimulation provide the therapeutic benefit to the patient.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the first and second tactile stimulators comprise vibrating elements.

15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the first and second tactile stimulators are communicably coupled to the controller via wireless communication.

16 . The system of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second tactile stimulators are mounted in hand-held devices.

17 . The system of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second tactile stimulators are mounted in patient wearable devices.

18 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the controller operates to apply the second stimulation prior to the cessation of the first stimulation.

19 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the controller operates to vary at least one of stimulation speed and stimulation intensity of the first and second stimulation over the first and second time period, respectively.

20 . A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying a computer program product, the computer program product comprising:

instructions for providing a therapeutic benefit to a patient when executed by a processor, the instructions causing the processor to communicate with first and second tactile stimulators bilaterally positioned on the patient's body and activate the first tactile stimulator to apply a first stimulation for a first time period and activate the second tactile stimulator to apply a second stimulation for a second time period beginning at least commensurate with the processor instructing the first tactile stimulator to cease applying the first stimulation;

whereby, the instructions cause the first and second stimulations to apply alternating bilateral stimulation to the patient without a patient perceivable pause in stimulation between the first stimulation and second stimulation to provide the therapeutic benefit to the patient.