Biofeedback Mobile App for Military Service Members (via PR Newswire)Download image Download image JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash., Feb. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Defense has released a smart phone mobile application to help service members use the therapeutic benefits of biofeedback. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130201/DC51620…
Biofeedback - Listening To The Body's Signals
By Colin Scott
Biofeedback is a type of treatment in which patients usually are trained to improve their health using the signals from their body. Both psychologists and physical therapists use this particular approach, first to care for stroke victims and secondly to help tense and anxious individuals to relax. Some other specialists also utilize biofeedback to assist patients with pain management. The word biofeedback was created during the late 1960s.
Just about everyone has utilized biofeedback with no knowledge of doing so. As an example, if a scale or thermometer shows that you are gaining weight or you have a fever, you will take steps accordingly to relieve the fever and lose weight. Both of these devices will feedback the details for you to do something about. In a similar manner, experts of biofeedback make use of advanced devices to detect an individual's bodily processes and utilize the data obtained to determine and direct the right treatment method.
A biofeedback device is much like a sixth-sense for an individual. It will allow them to see or hear certain activity, the electrical signals produced by muscle action. The electrical signals will be converted into a form which the patient may either hear or see, like a beeping sound or flashing light whenever the muscle becomes anxious. The patient in that case will attempt to stop the beep or flashing. The patient will be trained to adjust him or herself in order to relax the muscles. The therapist will act as a trainer and give guidance to the patient with regards to how to enhance his overall performance.
Nowadays biofeedback can be used to treat an extensive list of conditions which include:
Several pain conditions such as tension headaches and migraine
Digestive system problems
Low and high blood pressure
An abnormality in the blood circulation which cause cold hands (Reynaud's disease)
Epilepsy
Paralysis and other related disorders
A responsible biofeedback practitioner will not treat you for headaches, hypertension or any other illness without completing a series of tests.
For more information on Biofeedback visit http://www.drakeinstitute.com/content/neurofeedback-eeg-biofeedback.
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Biofeedback Assisted Training As a Treatment Procedure
By Veeraraghavan Krishnan
Physiological functions like heart rate, blood pressure (B.P.), respiratory rate and gut movements are involuntary activities. Involuntary activities, also called Autonomic functions are carried out without our awareness. Claims are there by individuals like yogis, voluntarily manipulating heart rate and B.P.
A scientific approach to influence autonomic functions is now taking shape in the form of Biofeedback training. Biofeedback uses our ability to alter these involuntary functions to support treatment.
Today, biofeedback training is being used in several conditions like incontinence, chronic pain, chronic stress, sleep disturbance and other disorders. Some involuntary functions appear susceptible to "self alteration" through training. Biofeedback works through this self influencing capability that can be attained through training. Subject participation is an essential element for biofeedback.
In late 1960s, scientists presented evidence to show that heart rate and blood pressure can be controlled voluntarily. Subjects exposed to B.P. data display were able to avoid pressure fluctuations.
It was argued that subjects started relaxing during sessions and hence B.P. stabilization. Biofeedback researchers maintained that data "fed back" through display exhibits, influenced body mechanisms involved in B.P. control and hence B.P. stabilization. Subject's realization of B.P. fluctuation influencing the centers for B.P. control is a possibility. We possibly have an ability to influence some of the autonomic functions.
But Biofeedback training can influence autonomic functions only to certain extent. Also it needs personal training. Results are encouraging in regard to some functions only. Subject has to understand data on display. He/she has to get trained in influencing the data through focusing. He/she should start relaxing. In spite of all these restrictions, positive results about biofeedback assisted training as a therapy for several conditions is increasing. Muscle activity recordings are being used for reducing muscle tension. Brain electrical activity recordings are being used to treat seizure patients and B.P. recordings to treat stress is getting encouraging results.
Biofeedback training requires an instrument that can capture physiological (functional) data and bring it out as visual or auditory display. Patient training on cause of data displayed and its variations is primary to biofeedback. For example, we can consider muscular tension. Patient watches his muscular contractions as electrical wave fluctuations in display. He will get explanations from trainer on how muscular tension modifies the waves in display. He will then relax and see how the waves stabilize. With further training and relaxation, the patient learns how to relax the muscle group and stabilize the tension.
Biofeedback assisted training program is gaining ground as an additional procedure to enhance treatment. Application of this patient involved treatment is gradually expanding. Several types of biofeedback trainings are available depending on the body system and the instrument concerned. We have unexplored mechanisms in the body. If used properly, may be these mechanisms can help us treat some conditions better.
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