Frequently Asked
Questions

EMDR tappers are small handheld devices that pulse alternately in your left and right hand. That alternating left-right pattern is called bilateral stimulation, and it is one of the core tools used in EMDR sessions, alongside eye movements and alternating sounds.

ALMA is a set of two wireless EMDR tappers. What makes it different from most: in a practitioner's office, the therapist holds the controls. At home, the free ALMA app puts them in your hand — strength, speed, light and session length, all adjustable while a session is running.

Do you know what your eyes do under your eyelids while you sleep?

They move side to side. Left, right, left, right, over and over. That is REM sleep, and while your eyes are doing that, your brain is sorting through the day: what stayed with you, what shook you, what needs to be filed away. You decide none of it. It happens on its own.

Bilateral stimulation puts that same alternating rhythm in your hands while you are awake. One side, then the other, in gentle taps and soft light. It is the mechanism at the heart of EMDR, and it has been studied for more than thirty years.

Researchers explain it simply: your attention has limited bandwidth. When a slow, steady rhythm occupies part of it, racing thoughts lose their grip. Researchers also propose that the body reads that steady left-right input as a signal that it is safe to stand down. None of this is settled science, and we lay out exactly what the research does and does not show on our Science page.

That is why many people find it easier to reach for than breathing exercises. You are not asking an already overloaded brain to do more work. You are handing it a rhythm it already knows.

Hold one tapper in each hand. That is the whole technique.

No, and the distinction matters to us. EMDR is a complete, structured psychotherapy delivered by a trained clinician. Bilateral stimulation is one component of it.

ALMA borrows that component as a simple tool you can use on your own. It is inspired by EMDR, not a substitute for it, and it is not a replacement for professional care. If you are working through something difficult, do it with a licensed professional.

Many people do. Talk to your practitioner about how it fits what you are working on — they know your situation and we do not.

No. ALMA is designed for everyday self-use. No training or setup required.

Most users do 10 to 20 minutes. There is no strict rule, use it as long as it feels right.

Yes. Many people use it while working, watching TV, lying in bed, or resting. That's the point.

The built-in lithium polymer battery is rechargeable via USB-C. A full charge gives about 3 hours of use, enough for many sessions.

Yes. Your tappers connect to your phone or tablet over Bluetooth, and the free ALMA app gives you full control over the session: tapping strength, rhythm speed, tap duration, session length and light brightness. Everyone's preference is different. Some people prefer slow and steady, others short and light. The app lets you dial it in until it feels right, then save it and start your next session in one tap.

Free on iOS and Android, no subscription, with a library of bilateral tones, binaural music and calming soundscapes that sync with the taps.

The app is required to run a session: it is where you start, adjust and stop the tappers. Pairing takes about a minute the first time, and your settings are saved for next time.

Most tappers are a box with a dial: you set the speed once and hope it is right. ALMA connects to your phone, so you can change strength, rhythm, light and timing while a session is running, and save presets for next time.

At $139 it is also the least expensive wireless app-controlled option we know of. Most wireless alternatives cost significantly more, and wired systems have no app at all. What ALMA does not have: the counters and profiles that professional clinical systems offer.

Yes. ALMA is rated IPX7. Sweaty hands, a splash or a quick rinse under running water are fine. Dry the USB-C port before charging and do not leave the tappers soaking.

ALMA delivers a slow, alternating left-right tap you can feel in each hand. People describe it as steady and easy to follow. Responses vary from person to person: some notice something in a first session, others after using it regularly for a while, and for some it does less. We do not promise results, because no honest brand can. That is also why every order comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

No. ALMA is a general wellness and relaxation product inspired by the bilateral stimulation used in EMDR therapy. It is not EMDR therapy, it is not a medical device, it is not FDA-cleared, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition. If you have a health concern, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.

Not yet. The published research concerns EMDR therapy and bilateral stimulation in general — not the ALMA device. We would rather say that plainly than imply otherwise, and our Science page sets out each study alongside what it does and does not establish.

It is one reason every purchase carries a 30-day money-back guarantee: the only way to know how your body responds is to try it.

Shipping is free on all orders within the United States. Orders are processed within 1 business day and ship express from our US warehouses, so most orders arrive within 3 business days. You receive a tracking number by email as soon as your order ships. We do not ship internationally at this time.

30 days from delivery, full refund, opened units included. Email alma@kal-mac.com with your order number and we send a prepaid return label. Return shipping is free within the United States and there is no restocking fee. Refunds are issued within 10 business days of us receiving your return.