A haptic actuator comprising: one or more thermal and/or physical actuators configured to apply thermal and/or physical stimulation to a user; and a controller operatively coupled to the one or more thermal and/or physical actuators , wherein the controller is configured to: detect one or more states of a user; compare the one or more states of the user to one or more predetermined activation parameters to determine if the user is experiencing an episode needing symptom relief associated with a condition of the user; activate the one or more thermal and/or physical actuators to apply a plurality of thermal and/or pressure pulses to the user to provide subjective symptom relief, as perceived by the user, during the episode; characterised in that the controller is further configured to: confirm positively or negatively, based on input from the user, that the episode was associated with the condition of the user; and based on the respective confirmation from the user, positively or negatively reinforce the predetermined activation parameters with the one or more states of the user. one or more thermal and/or physical actuators configured to apply thermal and/or physical stimulation to a user; and a controller operatively coupled to the one or more thermal and/or physical actuators , wherein the controller is configured to: detect one or more states of a user; compare the one or more states of the user to one or more predetermined activation parameters to determine if the user is experiencing an episode needing symptom relief associated with a condition of the user; activate the one or more thermal and/or physical actuators to apply a plurality of thermal and/or pressure pulses to the user to provide subjective symptom relief, as perceived by the user, during the episode; characterised in that the controller is further configured to: confirm positively or negatively, based on input from the user, that the episode was associated with the condition of the user; and based on the respective confirmation from the user, positively or negatively reinforce the predetermined activation parameters with the one or more states of the user. detect one or more states of a user; compare the one or more states of the user to one or more predetermined activation parameters to determine if the user is experiencing an episode needing symptom relief associated with a condition of the user; activate the one or more thermal and/or physical actuators to apply a plurality of thermal and/or pressure pulses to the user to provide subjective symptom relief, as perceived by the user, during the episode; characterised in that the controller is further configured to: confirm positively or negatively, based on input from the user, that the episode was associated with the condition of the user; and based on the respective confirmation from the user, positively or negatively reinforce the predetermined activation parameters with the one or more states of the user. confirm positively or negatively, based on input from the user, that the episode was associated with the condition of the user; and based on the respective confirmation from the user, positively or negatively reinforce the predetermined activation parameters with the one or more states of the user. <EOS>