Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a method of treatment wherein people learn to heal themselves by utilizing the signals their own body gives them. Biofeedback is based on the concept that each of us has the inborn potential and capability of influencing the automatic functions that are carried out in our body by using the power of our mind and will. For example, biofeedback is used by physical therapists to help the victims of stroke to regain the use of their paralyzed muscles, psychologists assist their anxious and tense patients to relax through it, and many patients are helped to cope with their pain with biofeedback.

Medical practitioners use complex biofeedback machines that monitor signals from the body to teach people to control certain functions along with their responses, like: the activity of the sweat glands; the temperature of the skin; the hear rate; the tension of the muscles; blood pressure; and brain activity. Biofeedback machines are able to detect the internal functions of the body far more precisely than a person can naturally. Once a person learns to recognize as well as control their bodily functions and the responses, biofeedback can be used to treat a number of mental and physical health conditions.

What are the Conditions treated by Biofeedback?

Biofeedback is especially effective in treating conditions that are stress related, and now it is being used in the treatment of increasing numbers of conditions, such as:

• Incontinence
• Asthma
• Hot flashes
• Raynaud’s disease, a disorder of the circulatory system that results in cold hands
• Paralysis, or any other condition that results in the loss of movement
• Arrhythmias of the heart
• High blood pressure and low blood pressure
• Digestive system disorders
• Epilepsy
• Chronic pain of the lower back
• Various types of bodily pains like tension headaches and migraine headaches

Apart from helping in the treatment of the above conditions, biofeedback can be beneficial for a number of reasons:

• The use of medications, which usually have side effects, can be reduced or even eliminated.
• Biofeedback has the possibility of treating conditions that may not have responded to regular medication or other treatments.
• By providing feedback that is measurable, which makes it possible to monitor one’s progress as well as learn, biofeedback enables people to be in charge of their healing.
• Medical expenses may be reduced.

What is the Procedure of Biofeedback?

Biofeedback training is available in hospitals, medical centers, and clinics. These days, there are a number of feedback programs and devices that can be used at home as well. However, it is best to initially work with a biofeedback therapist. Usually, a session of biofeedback lasts for 30-60 minutes. The number of biofeedback sessions and their length are usually based on what ailment is being treated, the condition of the patient, and how fast he/she learns the technique of controlling physical responses.

During a typical session of biofeedback, electrical sensors will be affixed to various parts of the body, which will monitor various physiological responses of the body to stress, such as the contraction of muscles when there is a tension headache. This information is then fed back to the person through cues like a flashing light or a beeping sound. This feedback enables the person to link the response of the body, such as the pain of the headache, to certain physical phenomenon, like the tensing of muscles. Once the person begins recognizing that the headache is caused due to muscles tensing, he/she is next taught how to relax particular muscles, when he/she experiences mental or physical stress. The ultimate goal being for the person to create these responses by themselves, without the help of machines and not under the supervision of a therapist.

There are various specialists who provide training in biofeedback such as psychologists, psychiatrists, physical therapists, nurses, and dentists. Most of them usually use other methods of treatment along with biofeedback. Relaxation exercises are one of the basics that are taught, while others are taught to identify what triggers off their symptoms, along with how to cope with or avoid the stressful conditions. Special techniques are taught in order to gain self-control so that habits can be changed. Biofeedback can be a powerful tool that enables people as well as physicians to realize that feelings, thoughts and behavior can have a profound effect on one’s physical health.