Biofeedback therapy: How it works and uses

Some studies have suggested that EEG biofeedback, or neurofeedback, may help people with ADHD. However, in 2009, other researchers reported that while relaxation appears to alcohol and brain fog benefit people with migraine headaches, combining relaxation with biofeedback does not seem to produce additional benefits. It remains unclear why or how biofeedback works, but it appears to benefit people with conditions related to stress, according to The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM). Biofeedback therapy may be able to help you reduce your pain levels by teaching you to relax your muscles. Neurofeedback may also improve symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), according to a 2017 review. But to experience potential benefits, you must actively participate in the therapy and have the motivation to learn and make changes.

1. During a biofeedback session, a healthcare provider uses noninvasive monitoring equipment and instruments to measure your body’s involuntary functions.
2. For example, providers often use electromyography (EMG) biofeedback for muscle-related conditions so you can “see” how your muscles respond.
3. Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) helps people with PTSD identify and resolve the unhelpful trauma-driven beliefs that shape how they see the world.
4. Mindfulness-based stress reduction teaches mindfulness meditation to help people live in the moment and manage stress.

He is developing a clinical practice for patients with complex trauma, as well as for others going through significant life transitions. Once you’re ready, the practitioner will apply the sensors to the appropriate area on your body (or insert the vaginal or anal sensor, for indicated specific patients). You’ll hold a device or watch a monitor for the entire session, so you can view the information the sensors collect.

He was commenting on a study in which people were able to control the activity of certain regions of the brain when they receive feedback signals by functional magnetic resonance brain imaging (fMRI). You may also want to check to see whether biofeedback therapy is covered under your health insurance policy. It’s noninvasive, and there aren’t any side effects or potential complications. During mindfulness meditation, you should get in a comfortable position.

What are the side effects of biofeedback therapy?

According to sober house boston authors of a systematic review published in The BMJ in 2014, growing evidence indicates that neurofeedback could help with ADHD. Once you find someone, consider asking about their experience and credentials and check this against the regulations in your state. You may be able to see results within the first few minutes of a session. Make your tax-deductible gift and be a part of the cutting-edge research and care that’s changing medicine.

For other conditions, it may be anecdotally helpful, but its efficacy is not supported by peer-reviewed and well-designed research. Some of these are meant to help physical problems like pain or loss of movement. Others are meant to help sleep disorders or psychological and emotional problems. Biofeedback therapy is generally considered to be safe and does not have any significant side effects. However, some people may experience temporary discomfort from wearing the sensors or from sitting still for an extended period during the therapy session (Khazan, 2013).

Becoming more aware of this can help someone notice when they may be experiencing stress. Urinary incontinence is often the result of weak pelvic floor muscles. Research from 2020 suggests that biofeedback therapy may be able to help you better manage when you need to go to the bathroom by strengthening your pelvic floor muscles, which are key for bladder control.

Other conditions

Based on feedback from the instruments, your provider suggests how you can create voluntary (conscious) changes for these mostly involuntary functions. With education and practice, you can learn to make those bodily changes without equipment. Biofeedback therapy (or “biofeedback training”) helps people learn to control certain bodily functions by becoming more aware of them. These bodily functions are normally involuntary, such as muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure. Neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback that involves information about brain activity detected through a method such as electroencephalogram (EEG).

Top-Rated Positive Psychology Exercises for Practitioners

The goal of biofeedback is to learn to use these methods at home on your own without a machine or sensors. While recording your physiology is not harmful, biofeedback does not replace existing medical treatments. If you are experiencing severe mental or physical health issues, consult a professional before you begin. Biofeedback can be an effective tool for managing various health concerns, including ADHD, urinary incontinence, anxiety, muscle spasms, hypertension, and constipation, according to Mount Sinai. Attaching sensors to your fingers or feet can measure blood flow to your skin. Keep reading to learn what biofeedback therapy is, how it works, its potential health benefits and risks, and how to get started working with a trained codependency vs enabling biofeedback therapist.

May Improve Urinary Incontinence

With this type, the therapist attaches sensors around your fingers, palm, or wrist with an electrodermograph (EDG) to measure sweat gland activity. If you or someone you love thinks that biofeedback would be beneficial, start by asking your primary care doctor for a referral to a trusted practitioner. It is also helpful to check with your health insurance company to see if your policy will cover any or all of this type of treatment.