Biofeedback: An Important Step on the Treatment Ladder

Written by Susan Bohannan, M Ed
Biofeedback Specialist

Nervous stomach, furrowed brow, pounding heart, damp palms. We have each felt these commonly described sensations at one time or another when experiencing anxiety or stress. When an individual perceives or interprets an event as stressful or threatening, that perception evokes one or more of a variety of emotional responses such as anxiety, fear, sadness, and many others. Consequently, the effects of a stressful event are not limited to emotional reactions.
The physical body and its processes are highly interactive with our psychological experiences. When an individual becomes stressed, the brain calls the sympathetic nervous system to respond to the stressor. A few physiological responses to stress include quick, shallow breathing from the thoracic (chest) area, increased heart rate, increased muscle activity, peripheral blood vessel constriction, perspiration, release of adrenaline, and various other responses. These responses are positive and helpful in preparing a person to respond more effectively to stressful events; however, a prolonged stressful condition takes a negative toll on the body resulting in unhealthy symptoms and/or chronic pain. Until recently, it was thought that these physiological processes, such as breathing and heart rate, were outside of human control. We now know that an individual can learn to actively influence and control many of these processes to increase healthy functioning and reduce unwanted symptoms such as pain. Biofeedback therapy is a vital tool used to accomplish this goal.
Biofeedback therapy is the process of monitoring and displaying physiological activity to an individual patient. Biofeedback teaches physical awareness and trains a patient to gain voluntary control over physiological processes in order to maintain a healthy level of functioning. Biofeedback incorporates the use of electronic equipment to reflect and feedback the physical state of the individual through audio or visual means. In addition, the person learns techniques to regulate the body’s systems and reduce unwanted symptoms.
Biofeedback is a painless and non-invasive therapy. As an important part of the treatment continuum, biofeedback often intervenes before the patient seeks more invasive procedures. In some cases, biofeedback has been the only source for pain control and relief. Biofeedback training allows a person to take an active part in relieving or even alleviating the acute or chronic pain experience.

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