Biofeedback therapy has become a popular alternative medicine practice to help individuals improve the quality of their lives. Many people who have tried biofeedback have found that it can help to reduce stress and improve overall health. Biofeedback, also known as biofeedback, is a method which teaches people to enhance their physical health by regulating certain physical processes that normally occur automatically, like heart rate, temperature, blood pressure, and even skin temperature.
Biofeedback therapy started in the 1970s with the development of electronic devices called biofeedback monitors. These devices were initially developed to help doctors diagnose various medical conditions. Today, biofeedback monitors are used by athletes to monitor their heart rates and keep tabs on their nervous system. Some biofeedback devices are designed to measure electrical resistance across various parts of the body while others are used to monitor and alter the brain waves of an individual.
There are several areas of biofeedback therapy. One of the most popular areas of application is in the field of chronic pain management. Biofeedback can be used for tension headaches, migraines, chronic pain, and other disorders. There is also a growing field of biofeedback studies that are investigating whether or not it is possible to prevent certain types of cancer. This technology may one day be used to detect cancer before it develops into a tumor.
Another area of application for biofeedback therapy deals with the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Biofeedback practitioners are able to train patients to control their thoughts and bodies using only visual information presented to the patient. For example, a biofeedback therapist may present pictures of moving images to a patient with a disorder such as depression, and the patient will then be able to control their thought patterns and physical actions based on the visual images shown to them. Many psychiatrists and psychologists believe that this approach to mental health is effective in addressing mental health disorders and symptoms.
There are two main methods of biofeedback therapy; these are: computer supported test equipment (CST) and monitor-based biofeedback. Computer-supportive testing is often utilized to help patients with the diagnosis of different types of psychological or physical problems. The monitor-based method of biofeedback therapy, however, involves a much higher level of accuracy and precision than do the computer supported tests. Computer Supported Test equipment (CSET) is generally used for diagnosing brain disorders, epilepsy, head injuries, tumors, cardiac problems, mental health issues, etc. Computer-supplied biofeedback equipment offers different types of biofeedback such as electroencephalographs (EEGs), electroencephalograms (EEGs), magnetics, vascular sensors, skin conductance, muscle stimulation, speech analysis, vision analysis, as well as body measurements such as body fat percentage, skinfold measurements, body mass index, blood pressures, heart rate.
Biofeedback therapists are specially trained to offer the above mentioned services to patients. However, biofeedback therapy should only be offered by a certified biofeedback practitioner. Also, biofeedback treatments should be offered in a hospital setting where proper accreditation is ensured. Patients who undergo biofeedback therapy should be monitored closely by their medical care providers in order to ensure the highest level of success.
