Biofeedback
What Is It?
How Does It Work?
What Happens During Treatment?
What Is It Used For?
Side Effects/Cautions
Recommended Books
What Is It?
Biofeedback is a technique that teaches people to become more aware
of, and to control, physical and emotional functions that are normally
unconscious and automatic. It involves the use of monitoring instruments
which measure brain-wave patterns, temperature, heart rate, blood pressure,
skin resistance and muscle tension. Abnormalities in these bodily functions
can cause a variety of medical problems, and learning to control them
can bring relief.
How Does It
Work?
Biofeedback is based on the concept that our thoughts and emotions
influence physical reactions in the body. It trains people to associate
certain thoughts and actions with desired physical responses.
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What Happens During
Treatment?
During your first visit to a practitioner you will be asked about your
general health, The practitioner will then tape sensors to various
parts of the body in order to measure heart rate, temperature, muscle
tension, and so on. The sensors are connected to instruments which
give you immediate feedback on the bodily function you are trying to
control. For example an electromyograph measures muscle tension, and
an electroencephalograph (EEG) measures brain-wave activity. Some biofeedback
machines give feedback in graphical form on a computer display, while
others use sounds or flashing lights.
The practitioner will teach you mental or physical exercises that
will help you to control the functions which are causing your problem.
You can monitor your progress by noting any changes in signals from
the feedback machine. Over time, you will learn to control physical
functions by associating desired responses (e.g., relaxation, reduced
pain) with certain thoughts and actions. Once learned, these thoughts
and actions can be applied without the aid of a feedback machine.
Sessions usually last between 30 minutes and one hour. Most people
need 8-10 sessions with 1-5 sessions per week.
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What Is It Used
For?
Biofeedback is useful for any ailments caused by involuntary muscular
tension, such as headaches, migraine, back and neck pain and breathing
problems (including asthma). It can relieve anxiety, depression and
insomnia and help overcome addictions. It can help stroke victims recover
co-ordination, and is also used to treat complications from diabetes.
Side Effects/Cautions
Biofeedback has no known side effects. The process is not painful.
If you use a pacemaker or have a heart disorder consult your doctor
before using a biofeedback machine.
Diabetics should monitor their blood sugar levels carefully if using
biofeedback therapy.
References
Find
a Biofeedback Practitioner
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Recommended Books
Prices are in US Dollars
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A Symphony in the Brain: The Evolution
of the New Brain Wave Biofeedback
Jim Robbins
Imagine a procedure versatile enough to treat epilepsy,
autism, attention deficit disorder, addictions, and depression
with no drugs or side effects; to bring patients out of vegetative
states; and to improve everything from golf scores to opera
singers' voices. These are only some of the claims made for
neurofeedback, a controversial but effective treatment that
is revolutionizing the way an incredibly diverse range of
medical and psychological conditions are treated. In A Symphony
in the Brain, Jim Robbins traces the fascinating, untold
story of the development of neurofeedback, from its discovery
by a small corps of research psychologists, to its growing
application across the country and around the world, to present
battles for acceptance in the conservative medical world.
Offering a wealth of powerful case studies, accessible scientific
explanations, and dramatic personal accounts, Robbins journeys
through a remarkable field, which he brings to the public
eye for the first time.
Learn
more...
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Biofeedback, Third Edition: A Practitioner's Guide
Mark S. Schwartz, Frank Andrasik
This guide offers state-of-the-science coverage of biofeedback
research, applications, clinical procedures, and biomedical
instrumentation. For biofeedback practitioners from any professional
background, including clinical, counselling, and allied health.
This new edition includes eleven new chapters; and revised,
updated and streamlined chapters.
"The Bible of non-EEG Biofeedback; a practitioner must-have."
Learn
more...
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Getting Started with Neurofeedback
John N. Demos
This book introduces the reader to neurofeedback, including
its history and scientific basis. Case studies help the reader
understand how these techniques are applied to therapeutic
situations such as ADD and learning difficulties. Information
about training, setting up an office, and neurofeedback equipment
are provided.
Learn
more...
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More
Biofeedback Books
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