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Biofeedback An Instrument of Relaxation:
In the 1970s, in some
restaurants, you could find biofeedback machines. They offered you
all sorts of information about your body. Today, biofeedback is still
considered a legitimate way to attain relaxation. It’s a technique
that uses monitoring equipment in order to help control stress.
Biofeedback is rooted in the idea
that the autonomic nervous system can be trained. For instance, equipment
can determine heart rates, muscle tension, and blood pressure while
individuals try to change their breathing, thinking, or posture. By
working with the machines, individuals can conceivably learn the best
methods for relaxation. However, the equipment can only be monitored
by someone with specific training in biofeedback.
According to Dr. Leonard Holmes,
feedback can come in a variety of forms: a line on a computer screen,
a tone of a certain pitch, or a blinking light. A typical type of
biofeedback is the EMG, which indicates the tension in your muscles.
It is important to note that biofeedback is not active treatment.
It is up to you decide what you can do in order to lower your heartbeat
and reduce your stress level. If you suffer from migraines or neck
pain, biofeedback can also help you to relax your muscles so that
you don’t experience as much—or possibly any—pain.
In order to determine whether biofeedback
would be effective in your particular case, a stress profile might
be used. Monitoring device will determine your heart rate, blood pressure,
and temperature. You are then exposed to stress, such as a history
quiz. As a result, the biofeedback professional will have some idea
how your body reacts to stressful situations.
Interestingly enough, insurance companies
have been known to cover biofeedback treatment. For instance, biofeedback
may be covered for headaches. However, other companies view biofeedback
as entirely experimental. When biofeedback first came onto the scene,
some practitioners believed that it would enable us to have nearly
complete control over our bodies. However, that is not the case. In
many situations, our bodies are basically operating under “automatic
pilot.” However, it is true that biofeedback can be helpful
to some individuals, particularly those who are looking for a means
for relaxation.
Biofeedback is used in a number of
cases today. For instance, it has been used to treat headaches, stomach
problems, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, epilepsy, and
paralysis. A number of different kinds of health professionals use
biofeedback, including physical therapists, nurses, psychologists,
psychiatrists, and dentists. Once the biofeedback machine detects
certain physiological reactions, patients usually engage in various
relaxation exercises. Also, you as a patient may learn about the triggers
that cause certain physiological problems. You can also learn how
to deal more effectively with stressful issues that appear in your
life.
It is important, however, to note
that biofeedback is not a quick fix. It cannot in itself cure any
illness. It is simply a tool that you can use to take control of your
health and well-being. With biofeedback, individuals can be empowered
to seek solutions to common health problems. Unlike other treatment
programs, biofeedback requires of great deal from the patient in order
to be successful.
Would you personally benefit from
biofeedback? That depends on your willingness to experiment and your
own comfort level. If you believe that biofeedback could be beneficial,
you should discuss it with your doctor. He or she might want to determine
first whether traditional treatment would be better in your particular
case. In most cases, you will need to have a complete physical exam
before you engage in biofeedback. You may even have to undergo a neurological
test.
If you’re considering biofeedback,
you should ask your family physician for a referral to a biofeedback
expert. You’ll want to make sure that you are dealing with a
trained professional. Keep an open mind during the treatment. If it
makes you uncomfortable, you might be better off looking at other
treatment options. While it first began in the 1960s, biofeedback
remains an experimental technology. Therefore, don’t be disappointed
if it doesn’t seem to work in your particular case. However,
there is little harm in trying it. In fact, it could make you more
attuned to your body and better able to manage the stress in your
life.
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