Biofeedback
Biofeedback – a form of mind-body therapy – employs the use of one’s mind to promote or improve health. Through special biofeedback monitoring technologies, a person is able to learn how to control body functions that might otherwise seem automatic. Some of these functions include blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and skin temperature.
According to the Mayo Clinic, biofeedback has been studied for its potential benefits in providing support for conditions such as asthma, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome and constipation. Biofeedback might eliminate the need for prescription medications, provide the patient with more control of his or her health and help limit medical spending.
Typical biofeedback sessions last 30 minutes to one hour. In these sessions, therapists attach electrical sensors to various parts of the body, and light or sound impulses let the patient know how he or she is responding to stress. The goal of the patient is to learn how to make positive physical changes to correct specific health problems. Once learned inside a therapist’s office, these changes and techniques can then be practiced day to day.
To conduct biofeedback, a practitioner might use one of the following:
- Electromyogram – Uses electrodes or other sensors to measure muscle tension.
- Temperature biofeedback – Skin temperature is measured on the fingers or feet.
- Galvanic skin response training – Anxiety is revealed through the measurement of perspiration on the skin.
- Electroencephalogram – An evaluation of brain waves reveals mental states.
(SOURCE: Mayo Clinic – MayoClinic.com)