Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a treatment technique in which people are trained to improve their health by using signals from their own body.
Some of the conditions biofeedback is used to treat are migraine headaches, tension headaches, high and low blood pressure, epilepsy, and movement disorders. Biofeedback is a way to monitor your body’s stress and relaxation responses.

Biofeedback was developed by physicians and scientists about 50 years ago. It uses an external monitor (such as a computer) to report back body functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, or brain wave activity to tell you, in real time, how your body is reacting to various stimuli. In thermal biofeedback, which is used at The BodyMind Center, the temperature of your finger is used to help you know when your body is stressed or relaxed.

By practicing relaxation exercises like deep breathing or visualizing a comfortable place, you can learn how you actually feel when your body is experiencing stress or relaxation. With practice, you can identify four to six techniques that relax you almost immediately and help you better handle the negative reactions you have.

Biofeedback is useful in managing headaches, migraines, abdominal pain including irritable bowel syndrome, and other stress-related pain or symptoms. In some instances, biofeedback can be helpful in controlling blood pressure. Typically, three to five sessions are needed before you can easily prompt a relaxation response.

Dr. O.J. Sahler has been using biofeedback for nearly 10 years to treat stress- and anxiety-related conditions in children, teens and adults.

Call The BodyMind Center to schedule an appointment.