Biofeedback Overview
Biofeedback is a technique used to help you gain control over your body’s involuntary functions such as pain and heart rate. It can be used to help block pain if you suffer from chronic back pain.
Involuntary functions help your body run optimally everyday. For instance, when you exercise your body produces sweat to keep the body cool, so if you go running, you don’t have to remember to tell your brain to communicate to your body to produce sweat so you won’t overheat.
Biofeedback is a way to become aware of the mechanics of your body. With proper training, you can use the power of your mind to control your body to improve your health.
How Biofeedback Works
During a session, your therapist will connect electrodes to your skin. The electrodes are used to alert you and your therapist with a sound or light when your body is performing certain involuntary functions.
This immediate response to your involuntary functions and to your actions to stop the functions is what will teach you over time how to have more control over your body’s mechnics. You will learn different relaxation techniques to implement to help stop the pain in your back.
Some of the techniques include:
- Mindful meditation
- Deep breathing
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Guided imagery
Over time you will learn how your body reacts to stress or pain and which techniques to implement to relax and stay pain free without the use of electrodes.
Why Should You Use Biofeedback
Medical advances have brought us a long way, but there are still times when you are your own best form of medicine.
Instances when biofeedback is best:
- Allows you to take charge of your own recovery and health
- When medication fails to relieve your pain
- If you cannot or choose not to take medication
- When the side effects of medication are worse than your pain
- If you are seeking noninvasive procedures