Transcript Biofeedback - alternativehealththerapies

Terri Snyder
AHS 230
April 4,2012
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A complementary and alternative medicine
technique in which you learn to control bodily
functions, such as your heart rate, using your mind.
Biofeedback teaches you how to make subtle
changes in your body, such as relaxing certain
muscles, to achieve the results you want, such as
reducing pain.
In essence, biofeedback gives you the power to use
your thoughts to control your body, often to help
with a health condition or physical performance.
Biofeedback is often used as a relaxation
technique.
Anyone can use this AHT. The most common ailments
include but are not limited to:
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High blood pressure
Incontinence
Irritable bowel syndrome
Pain
Physical performance
Anxiety or stress
 Asthma
Chemotherapy side effects
 Constipation
 Heart problems
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With biofeedback, you're connected to
electrical sensors that help you measure and
receive information (feedback) about your
body (bio). The biofeedback sensors teach
you how to make subtle changes in your
body.
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It's noninvasive.
It may reduce or eliminate need for medications.
It may be a treatment alternative for those who
can't tolerate medications for their conditions.
It may be an option when medications haven't
worked well.
It may be an alternative to medications for some
conditions during pregnancy.
It helps people take charge of their health.
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Require a well-trained clinician/coach. Unlike most medication,
which can be used without the supervision of a medical
professional, a biofeedback session won't be successful when the
clinician does not know how to use the equipment or how to
analyze and interpret the data;
Require dedication and motivation of the patient. Some clients
may not be motivated to go through the ‘effort’ of working on
their own health;
Take time. In order to be truly permanently effective, a good
number of sessions (5 to 10 or even more for neurofeedback
treatments) may be required;
Not as well accepted as most pharmaceutical solutions. The
‘lobby’ promoting this health training method is still rather
modest;
Still not very widespread. The number of well-trained health
professionals who can offer this method is increasing, but still
rather limited.
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Physical Awareness: Some physical responses can
be easily sensed without equipment, of course.
When your body becomes tense, that’s a natural
message that you’re stressed. Shallow breathing
can be another. Becoming aware of your body’s
stress signals can arguably be a sort of natural
form of ‘biofeedback’.
Household Tools: Scales, thermometers, and even
mirrors can tell you about some of your body’s
functioning by pointing out excess weight, fevers,
and visible signs of stress like acne.
I think that biofeedback is a wonderful and new
solution in alternative health therapies. It is
completely non invasive, you are learning to
control your how body and health, and it may
elevate the need for prescription and over the
counter medication. We are already using mild
forms in everyday life including scales to measure
your weight and thermometers to take you body
temperature. I think this could be the next big
thing, right up there with acupuncture and
chiropractic measures.
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Mayo Clinic. (2010, January 26). Retrieved April 3,
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Pros and Cons of Biofeedback and Neurofeedback.
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2012, from
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/biofeedback/M
Y01072
(n.d.). Retrieved April 3, 2012, from
http://www.mindmedia.nl/CMS/en/applications/bi
ofeedback/pros-and-cons.html
Scott, E. (2007, June 13). Biofeedback and Stress
Relief. Retrieved April 3, 2012, from About.com:
http://stress.about.com/od/programsandpractices
/a/biofeedback.htm