Scientists in the late 1960's were experimenting with the possibility of controlling involuntary bodily functions like heart rate, brain activity, blood pressure and other functions by merely willing it to happen.
It was also thought that one day, the use of drugs in treatment could be done away with and all that was required to get well was to use biofeedback techniques.
It is now clear that, though these techniques can indeed help in the treatment of many diseases and other painful disorders, there is a point beyond which one cannot go and is limited by nature.
The Biofeedback treatment uses methods that train people to enhance their health by using signs given out by their bodies.
For stroke victims, the Physical therapist uses biofeedback to help them recoup movement in their atrophied muscles.
For clients who are tense and anxious.
Psychologists use biofeedback techniques to help them relax.
We have used biofeedback at home while checking our weight or temperature.
We then took adequate steps for the fever or excessive weight.
The biofeedback machines used by clinicians are more complicated and can take readings of blood pressure, brain waves, heart rate, breathing, muscle tension, skin temperature and skin conductivity of electricity.
Electrodes are attached to the skin which measures these activities.
The readings, in real time, are sent to a monitoring box that translates them into a tone that has a variable pitch.
The reading can also be seen as a variable light in a visual meter or as lines which move over a grid on a computer screen.
The biofeedback therapist will guide you through mental exercises and relaxation techniques to lower the heart rate or blood pressure.
The results can be immediately seen visually, aurally or on the computer.
For example, a stressed individual would cause the monitoring box to emit a tone, high in pitch.
As he or she goes through the relaxation procedures, the tone would start to decrease and would stabilise after a sometime.
Through practice, one will be able to identify the mental activities that can bring about the required physical change.
Biofeedback is used now to treat many conditions.
1) It is used to treat pain in all forms.
Most commonly, tension and migraine headaches.
2) Movement disorders and paralysis.
3) Epilepsy.
4) Ailments of the digestive system.
5) High and low blood pressure.
6) Cardiac abnormalities.
7) Raynaud's disease.
This is a circulatory disorder that causes cold hands.
Specialists like psychiatrists, psychologists, dentists, internists, nurses, and physical therapists provide biofeedback training.
To obtain a positive end result, they depend on biofeedback along with other techniques.
Patients are introduced to different relaxation methods and they will be able identify the one which is able to provide the optimum results.
They are also shown on the ways to handle stress and to avoid stressful situations.
Patients are urged to modify their habits and are also taught special techniques for gaining self-control.
It was also thought that one day, the use of drugs in treatment could be done away with and all that was required to get well was to use biofeedback techniques.
It is now clear that, though these techniques can indeed help in the treatment of many diseases and other painful disorders, there is a point beyond which one cannot go and is limited by nature.
The Biofeedback treatment uses methods that train people to enhance their health by using signs given out by their bodies.
For stroke victims, the Physical therapist uses biofeedback to help them recoup movement in their atrophied muscles.
For clients who are tense and anxious.
Psychologists use biofeedback techniques to help them relax.
We have used biofeedback at home while checking our weight or temperature.
We then took adequate steps for the fever or excessive weight.
The biofeedback machines used by clinicians are more complicated and can take readings of blood pressure, brain waves, heart rate, breathing, muscle tension, skin temperature and skin conductivity of electricity.
Electrodes are attached to the skin which measures these activities.
The readings, in real time, are sent to a monitoring box that translates them into a tone that has a variable pitch.
The reading can also be seen as a variable light in a visual meter or as lines which move over a grid on a computer screen.
The biofeedback therapist will guide you through mental exercises and relaxation techniques to lower the heart rate or blood pressure.
The results can be immediately seen visually, aurally or on the computer.
For example, a stressed individual would cause the monitoring box to emit a tone, high in pitch.
As he or she goes through the relaxation procedures, the tone would start to decrease and would stabilise after a sometime.
Through practice, one will be able to identify the mental activities that can bring about the required physical change.
Biofeedback is used now to treat many conditions.
1) It is used to treat pain in all forms.
Most commonly, tension and migraine headaches.
2) Movement disorders and paralysis.
3) Epilepsy.
4) Ailments of the digestive system.
5) High and low blood pressure.
6) Cardiac abnormalities.
7) Raynaud's disease.
This is a circulatory disorder that causes cold hands.
Specialists like psychiatrists, psychologists, dentists, internists, nurses, and physical therapists provide biofeedback training.
To obtain a positive end result, they depend on biofeedback along with other techniques.
Patients are introduced to different relaxation methods and they will be able identify the one which is able to provide the optimum results.
They are also shown on the ways to handle stress and to avoid stressful situations.
Patients are urged to modify their habits and are also taught special techniques for gaining self-control.