Biofeedback

1. Biofeedback Terri Snyder AHS 230 April 4,2012

2. What is Biofeedback? • A complementary and alternative medicine technique in which you learn to control bodily functions, such as your heart rate, using your mind. • Biofeedback teaches you how to make subtle changes in your body, such as relaxing certain muscles, to achieve the results you want, such as reducing pain. • In essence, biofeedback gives you the power to use your thoughts to control your body, often to help with a health condition or physical performance. • Biofeedback is often used as a relaxation technique.

3. Who Can Use Biofeedback Anyone can use this AHT. The most common ailments include but are not limited to: • High blood pressure • Incontinence • Irritable bowel syndrome • Pain • Physical performance • Anxiety or stress • Asthma • Chemotherapy side effects • Constipation • Heart problems

4. How Biofeedback Works • With biofeedback, you're connected to electrical sensors that help you measure and receive information (feedback) about your body (bio). The biofeedback sensors teach you how to make subtle changes in your body.

5. Pros to Using Biofeedback • It's noninvasive. • It may reduce or eliminate need for medications. • It may be a treatment alternative for those who can't tolerate medications for their conditions. • It may be an option when medications haven't worked well. • It may be an alternative to medications for some conditions during pregnancy. • It helps people take charge of their health.

6. Cons for Briofeedback • Require a well-trained clinician/coach. Unlike most medication, which can be used without the supervision of a medical professional, a biofeedback session won't be successful when the clinician does not know how to use the equipment or how to analyze and interpret the data; • Require dedication and motivation of the patient. Some clients may not be motivated to go through the ‘effort’ of working on their own health; • Take time. In order to be truly permanently effective, a good number of sessions (5 to 10 or even more for neurofeedback treatments) may be required; • Not as well accepted as most pharmaceutical solutions. The ‘lobby’ promoting this health training method is still rather modest; • Still not very widespread. The number of well-trained health professionals who can offer this method is increasing, but still rather limited.

7. Are You Already Using Biofeedback? • Physical Awareness: Some physical responses can be easily sensed without equipment, of course. When your body becomes tense, that’s a natural message that you’re stressed. Shallow breathing can be another. Becoming aware of your body’s stress signals can arguably be a sort of natural form of ‘biofeedback’. • Household Tools: Scales, thermometers, and even mirrors can tell you about some of your body’s functioning by pointing out excess weight, fevers, and visible signs of stress like acne.

8. Worth a Shot! I think that biofeedback is a wonderful and new solution in alternative health therapies. It is completely non invasive, you are learning to control your how body and health, and it may elevate the need for prescription and over the counter medication. We are already using mild forms in everyday life including scales to measure your weight and thermometers to take you body temperature. I think this could be the next big thing, right up there with acupuncture and chiropractic measures.

9. References • Mayo Clinic. (2010, January 26). Retrieved April 3, 2012, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/biofeedback/MY01072 • Pros and Cons of Biofeedback and Neurofeedback. (n.d.). Retrieved April 3, 2012, from http://www.mindmedia.nl/CMS/en/applications/biofeedback/pros-and-cons.html • Scott, E. (2007, June 13). Biofeedback and Stress Relief. Retrieved April 3, 2012, from About.com: http://stress.about.com/od/programsandpractices/a/biofeedback.htm