Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a non-drug treatment used to help people control their involuntary body processes like a heartbeat, blood pressure, etc. This is helpful to get rid of pain or treat certain health conditions, including migraine, anxiety, etc.

The idea behind biofeedback therapy is that it allows you to be aware of what is happening in your body. In turn, this enables you to take control of your health. It manipulates your body’s involuntary functions and control your body’s response to different situations.

What are the benefits of Bio Feedback?

Treat headaches

People often combine bio feedback with different relaxation techniques to reduce headaches and improve migraine symptoms. In a Japanese study, researchers found that the therapy reduced the severity and frequency of headaches in migraine patients.

Manage PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can cause sleep problems and emotional distress in PTSD patients. Biofeedback therapy may help them manage their symptoms by taking control of their mind. In a study, scientists gave PTSD patients biofeedback therapy. By the end of the research, they noticed a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms of the patients.

Reduce symptoms of ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity syndrome (ADHD) makes children behave impulsively and show disruptive behavior. Biofeedback therapy can help ADHD patients control their behavior and be less impulsive. In a review, researchers analyzed the results of eight studies and concluded that biofeedback therapy is an effective non-therapeutic solution to treat ADHD.

Improve bowel movement

With this therapy, people gain the power to control their involuntary actions, even bowel movements. Chronic constipation patients can retrain body muscles (that disrupt bowel movement) after having bio feedback.

Researchers from the University of Iowa found that bio feedback showed bowel movement in more than 80% of constipation patients.

Strengthen the pelvic floor muscles

People who are suffering from urinary incontinence experience involuntary leakage of urine. However, patients with this illness can strengthen their muscles that control urine excretion with bio feedback. It may even help children who wet the bed become more aware of their needs when the urge to urinate arises.

What should I expect from a Bio Feedback session?

During biofeedback therapy, your practitioner will attach sensors to different parts of your body. They will measure physiological signals like your heart rate, breathing, body temperature, muscle movement, etc. Results of these signals will be displayed on a screen placed in front of you.

The practitioner will study those signals and find the problem causing pain or the issue you have. They will then recommend solutions like mindfulness, change in posture, etc., that will help you change your condition with time and gain more control of yourself.

As you follow the practitioner’s suggestions, you will notice a change in the psychological signals during your next session.

Conclusion

Biofeedback is a non-invasive, painless procedure that can improve your mental and physical health. It is offered by health care providers like psychologists, psychiatrists, etc. It can help you reduce the symptoms of several conditions, including migraines, PTSD, ADHD, etc., and decrease the amount of medication you take for an illness.

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