Types & Advantages of Biofeedback Therapy

Biofeedback training is a non-invasive therapeutic method that uses the mind-body link to assist patients in achieving a profound level of relaxation and alleviating stress-related symptoms.

Patients can better manage their body's involuntary actions by using biofeedback therapy to tap into the mind-body link.

Understanding Biofeedback

Biofeedback, a mind-body approach, utilizes visual or aural feedback to people to notice physical signs and symptoms of stress and anxiety, such as elevated heart rate, body temperature, and muscle tension.

People can learn ways to relax their minds and bodies and cope better with stress symptoms by using biofeedback to control stress’s physical and psychological effects.

Biofeedback's purpose is to make minor changes in the body that have the desired effect. It could involve relaxing certain muscles, lowering the heart rate, or lessening pain. The following are some of the functions that people can learn to control:

• Blood flow
• Blood pressure
• Heart rate
• Muscle tension
• Pain perception

Types of Biofeedback Therapy

Biofeedback is a technique for measuring and providing feedback on involuntary physiological activities. Some biofeedback therapy examples include:

Brain Waves

EEG Biofeedback, also known as Neurofeedback, gives patients a "window" into their current brainwave activity and can be used to alter aberrant brainwave patterns and reduce anxiety and stress symptoms.

Muscle Tension

The therapy can assist patients in relaxing and lessening muscle and ligament discomfort if they have stiff muscles. The autonomic nervous system maintains facial muscle tension.

One can improve autonomic nervous system functioning and reduce stress symptoms by reducing face muscle tension.

Heart Rate

Biofeedback has also helped people achieve a better or stronger heart rate.

Hand Temperature

The sympathetic nervous system (one element of the autonomic nervous system) gets over-activated as you shift into the fight or flight reaction.

It causes the tiny blood vessels in our arms and hands to contract, limiting blood flow and resulting in cooler hands.

Patients can use Biofeedback treatment/training to determine when this happens and then learn how to raise their hand temperature by relaxing their sympathetic nervous system.

Galvanic Skin Response

The activity of our sweat glands and how it varies due to an emotional response gets referred to as the galvanic skin response.

Indeed, stress and worry can cause this reaction, and biofeedback can help patients recognize and lessen or eliminate this stress side effect.

Advantages of Biofeedback

Like other therapy methods, biofeedback has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. It may not be appropriate for everyone, so weigh the advantages and disadvantages and also refer to biofeedback therapy examples before deciding if it is the best option for you or not.

So, why might you want to try biofeedback?

Its Therapy is Non-Invasive

When alternative therapies fail, or patients cannot take specific medications, biofeedback may be an appealing option. Patients may choose biofeedback since it is non-intrusive in situations when other therapies are more invasive or disruptive.

Therapy can help you have command on your emotions.

Biofeedback teaches people to control their reactions in stressful situations, which can help them feel more in control and better manage stress in their regular lives and stress caused by a medical condition.

Biofeedback complements other treatments

Biofeedback training can also get used as part of a therapeutic plan. Biofeedback is frequently used in conjunction with other treatments, such as medicine and relaxation techniques.

Would you need other Treatments besides Biofeedback?

Biofeedback is a supplement to medical care, not a replacement, and Biofeedback commonly gets used in conjunction with other treatments. Someone with chronic pain, for example, might take drugs and learn biofeedback.

Even if biofeedback helps you manage your condition, you should contact a medical healthcare specialist if you have a health problem. Regardless of how beneficial biofeedback is, you must continue to take your prescription drugs.

To Conclude:

If you or someone you care about thinks biofeedback therapy could help, start by asking your primary care physician to recommend a reputable practitioner. It's also a good idea to check with your health insurance company to determine if your policy covers some or all of this type of treatment.

One method for gaining more control over your physical responses and habits is biofeedback. Before deciding whether or not this form of training is good for you, consider the potential benefits, dangers, and expenses.