Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a treatment method that believes in the mind’s innate ability to influence positively our bodily functions previously thought to be uncontrollable by us.

A good example would be of people who have been trained to increase the temperature of one hand by 5 to 10 degrees more than that of the other. This may sound like something that would only excite sci-fi enthusiasts but in fact it has many beneficial applications. For one thing, increasing the temperature of the hands and arms at will and quickly can help prevent a migraine attack. The blood, which generally rushes to the head and engorges the cells causing the migraine, gets diverted to the arms instead and the migraine is prevented.

What Is Biofeedback?

Biofeedback is thus a treatment technique in which patients are taught to use feedback and signals from their internal systems to improve their health and well being.

As it often happens, when we are running a fever we use a thermometer to tell us how high the temperature is. Once we get feedback from the thermometer we take medicine, rest and adjust our behaviours to help our body recover. Once the thermometer indicates that the temperature is normal we go back to our regular routines keeping in mind that we must try to ensure the temperature stays normal.

Similarly, in biofeedback the therapist often uses different machines to provide feedback about the patient’s internal body systems. If the muscles are too tense he may use a beeper to indicate so. So every time the patient tenses his muscles the beeper goes off. To stop the beeper from going off the patient makes a conscious effort to keep the muscles relaxed – being the desired goal. The therapist coaches the patient on how to achieve his goal.

History Of Biofeedback

The term biofeedback was first used in the 1960s. Researchers had been experimenting rigorously trying to enable the human mind to get substantial control over unconscious or involuntary functions of the body hitherto thought to be uncontrollable. They believed that it was possible for humans to will themselves to be more creative by altering brainwave patterns. They also believed that biofeedback would do away with drugs altogether and enable patients to cure themselves.

Today, most researchers are in agreement that such hypotheses are unrealistic. While biofeedback in fact does make it possible to achieve unprecedented control over many involuntary bodily functions, it has definite limits.

Thus, biofeedback is a fairly new field of study and research is being conducted on how much control exactly is possible via biofeedback.

Machines Used In Biofeedback Therapy

Humans cannot observe involuntary bodily functions directly or measure certain aspects like blood pressure and skin contractions without some technical intervention. Biofeedback thus uses special machines and sensory devices to provide feedback about our body’s responses.

• Electromyogram or EMG is used to measure muscle tension. The frowning muscles, jaw muscles and shoulder muscles are the most commonly measured muscles since these are the areas that react fastest to external stimuli like displeasure, anger and stress.
  
  EMG is used mostly to promote muscle relaxation. Patients are given a signal like a bulb that lights up when muscles get tense. In this way, patients can continuously measure their stress levels in the course of their daily lives and make adjustments as required to decrease stress.
  
  EMG is particularly effective in treating tension headaches, backaches, neck pain and bruxism.
   

• Temperature Biofeedback devices monitor the skins temperature and are helpful in treating circulatory disorders. When humans get tense or anxious, blood is redirected towards internal organs and muscles and the skin temperature drops quickly. Electrodes attached to the little finger or toe can immediately indicate drop in skin temperature and the need to manage stress. This method is very successful in reducing migraine headaches.
   

• Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) or Electrodermal Response (EDR) is a method used to measure electrical conductance in the skin. It is associated with the activity of sweat glands. When humans are overanxious or emotionally aroused the sweat glands become more active. This makes the electrical conductance of the skin much higher than usual. GSR is most popularly used as a lie detection test. It is also used in the treatment of phobias, stuttering, excessive anxiety, and excessive sweating.
   

• Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a device to monitor brain activity. Alpha waves have been associated with relaxation and hence the aim is to increase alpha brain activity. However, EEG is not a very effective method of treatment – especially by itself.

Applications Of Biofeedback

Biofeedback is becoming extremely popular with specialists in many fields. Psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, dentists and physical therapists all have use for biofeedback.

Biofeedback has been found to be effective in treating a variety of maladies. Migraines, blood pressure, digestive disorders, Cardiac problems, Epilepsy and even paralysis.

Patients are generally taught various relaxation exercises. Therapists also help them to identify the causes that trigger the symptoms of their ailments. Training is then imparted in coping with stress inducing circumstances.

It is vital for patients to remember that biofeedback is not magic. It does not guarantee a solution and neither does it offer a quick cure. Biofeedback relies on the will and determination of the patient to overcome his problems. It is also an extremely scientific approach to curing illnesses.

The qualified therapist first isolates the problem. The patient is then given electronic means of monitoring his reaction and responses. Based on the responses the root cause of the problem is identified. Training is then given on eliminating the cause of the problem as well as coping with the symptoms.

Generally Biofeedback sessions last between 30 to 60 minutes. The frequency and duration depend on the intensity of the problem and the patient’s progress. Generally though, you should not require more than 15 sessions. The true test happens when the training undergone during biofeedback sessions is applied to real life situations without the help of machines.

Thus, biofeedback encourages patients to use their minds to gain control over their involuntary functions and live better.