Biofeedback is a method you can use to learn to control some of your body functions, such as your heartbeat. During biofeedback, you get connected to electrical sensors that help you get information about your body.
This response helps you make subtle changes in your body, like relaxing specific muscles, to achieve the desired results, such as reducing pain. Biofeedback gives you the ability to develop new ways to control your body, often to improve your health or fitness.
The concept of Biofeedback therapy is to harness the power of your mind and know what is going on inside your body; one can control your health.
Types of Biofeedback Therapy
Your therapist may use various biofeedback methods depending on your health problems and goals. Biofeedback therapy examples include:
- Brain waves: This type uses skin sensors to monitor your brain waves using an electroencephalograph (EEG).
- Breathing: During biofeedback of respiration, bands are placed near your abdomen and chest to monitor your breathing patterns and breathing rate.
- Heart rate: It uses finger or earlobe sensors with a device that gets used to detect blood volume changes (photoplethysmograph). Even if sensors get placed on your chest, lower body, or wrists, use an electrocardiograph (ECG) to measure your heart rate and your heart rate variation.
- Muscle contraction: The technique involves placing sensors on your skeletal muscles with an electromyography (EMG) to monitor electrical activity that causes muscle contraction.
- The function of the sweat gland: Sensors attached to your fingers or the palm of your hand or wrist with an electrodermograph (EDG) measure the activity of your sweat glands and the amount of sweat on your skin, warning you of anxiety.
- Temperature: Nerves attached to the feet or the fingers measure blood flow to your skin. Because your temperature often drops when you are stressed, low reading may cause you to start relaxing.
When do you need Biofeedback Therapy?
Biofeedback, also called biofeedback training, is useful manage many physical and mental health issues, including:
- Headache
- High blood pressure
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Raynaud’s disease
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Stroke
- Anxiety or stress
- Asthma
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Chemotherapy side effects
- Chronic pain
- Constipation
- Fecal incontinence
- Fibromyalgia
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
- Urinary incontinence
Chronic stress can have dramatic consequences for your body. It may include high blood pressure, rising body temperature, and disturbances in brain function.
Preparation for Biofeedback
You do not need special biofeedback adjustments. To find a biofeedback therapist, ask your health care professional or doctor with knowledge of therapy to recommend someone having experience treating your condition.
Many biofeedback practitioners get licensed in other fields of health care, such as psychology, nursing, or physical therapy.
The laws of the country governing biofeedback practitioners vary. Some biofeedback physicians prefer accreditation to demonstrate their additional training and experience in the profession.
Ask a biofeedback doctor who is considering using questions before starting treatment, such as:
- Are you licensed, licensed, or registered?
- What are your training and experience?
- Do you know how to provide biofeedback for my condition?
- Number of biofeedback sessions do you think I will need?
- What are the costs, and is it includes health care insurance?
- Can you provide a list of references?
Working of Biofeedback Therapy
The electrical nerves connected to the monitor will be attached to your body. The sensors measure various types of signals, including heart palpitations, muscle spasms, or temperature of the body.
Measurements provide feedback on how your body reacts to various stimuli. A biofeedback therapist can make you understand how to reduce your heart rate by using breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and mental exercises.
You can measure the effects of these methods with exercise on the monitor, and it encourages positive reactions and relaxation.
Typical biofeedback therapy examples last between 30 and 60 minutes. The time needed to resolve a problem will vary depending on a few factors, including how quickly you learn to control your body responses.
There are also commercially available biofeedback tools in the open market designed for home use. There are devices with handheld monitors and others connected to your computer. However, you should beware of scams.
Make sure to clarify with your primary care provider before purchasing one of these devices. Not all manufacturers are reputable.
Conclusion
Biofeedback is a form of therapy that uses the sensors attached to your body to measure crucial bodily functions. It helps you learn more about your body’s working, and this information enables you to develop better control over certain types of body functions and deal with health problems.
Biofeedback therapy is created on the concept of “mind over matter.” The idea is, with the right strategies & best technique. You can change your body stamina and fitness by noticing how you respond to stress and other stimuli.
By promoting an active mental and physical response to stress, biofeedback aims to help you control body processes such as your heartbeat and blood pressure. Find more about Biofeedback therapy at Advantage Medical Clinic.
