Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a mind-body technique that allows individuals to gain better control over their physiological responses in certain situations by providing real-time information and treatment through the use of interactive biofeedback devices and software.

Conducted in our clinical settings by trained professionals, biofeedback teaches you to change the way your body functions and reacts to stimuli to enhance your physical and mental health. During a biofeedback session, your counselor uses non-invasive monitoring equipment to measure your body’s heart rate, breathing, muscle tension, body temperature, blood pressure, and brain waves.

biofeedback-icon

What happens during a
biofeedback session?

During a biofeedback session, our counselor places painless, non-invasive sensors on different areas of your head and body. Information is sent from the sensors to our computers. With the feedback from these instruments, our clinicians suggest how you can create conscious or voluntary changes for involuntary functions. With education and practice, you will learn how to make those changes without the use of our equipment.

Sensors are connected to a computer to measure and record physiological signals from your body including:

Electrical brain activity

using an electroencephalogram (EEG). An EEG is conducted using non-invasive sensors attached to your scalp in key areas. This is also known as neurofeedback and used during our neurofeedback sessions.

Muscle movement

using sensors on your skin placed above certain muscle groups, also known as surface electromyography.

Breathing,

where special bands with sensors are placed around your chest and stomach to measure breathing rate and breathing patterns.

Sweat

with galvanic skin response, (GSR) sensors are attached to your fingertips and/or palm. GSR has been used in psychological research and therapies for over a century. GSR measures the changes in the skin in response to emotional arousal and other psychological processes.

Heart rate,

where sensors or a pulsometer are connected to an electrocardiogram (EKG).

Skin temperature

with a skin sensor. People often experience a drop in body temperature during times of stress.

quoteicon

I recently started venturing into the world of biofeedback to hopefully assist with my anxiety and my severe white coat syndrome that I experience with every kind of medical appointment that I attend.  I also have some significant insomnia issues that I would like to address.  I am extremely sensitive to medications and thus would like to explore being able to control my own body better instead of taking more medications.

I have learned much about using my own breathing to control my heart.  It is relaxing and easy to learn.  I am also trying alpha stimulation to increase the alpha waves in my brain also working to address my anxiety and insomnia issues.  Although I am just beginning, I do feel some increased relaxation throughout my day that I did not experience before without being medicated.  I am at the beginning of this journey but have high hopes for a decrease in my anxiety and an ability to help with my white coat syndrome to better my mental and physical health with the use of controlling my own body and hopefully making the use of pharmaceutical intervention a minimum.”

tilde

How often should I attend biofeedback sessions?

Clients who attend biofeedback sessions twice a week tend to experience the most success. We recommend at least one day off in between sessions.

Sessions can be offered weekly or bi-weekly, but that will extend the overall length of time for the treatments to be most effective.

All sessions are conducted in person. It’s important that you report any adverse reactions or side effects immediately to your provider.

Biofeedback can help alleviate a variety of physical and emotional conditions. Schedule a FREE consultation with one of our clinicians to find out if biofeedback will help you.

Conditions biofeedback can treat include but are not limited to:

  • ADD/ADHD
  • Anxiety
  • Asthma
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Chronic pain
  • Depression
  • Fibromyalgia
  • High blood pressure
  • Insomnia
  • Migraine and tension headaches
  • Motion sickness
  • PTSD
  • Raynaud's syndrome
  • Tinnitus

Although they typically do not last more than 24-48 hours, possible side effects can include the following, and should be discussed with your clinician so that a change can be made to your treatment:

  • Mood changes such as anxiety, sadness or irritability
  • Sleeping disruptions
  • Physical symptoms such as tiredness/fatigue, minor headaches, nausea or lightheadedness

If you wish to learn more about biofeedback, or to schedule a session, contact us today.

Contact
Team
Learn more: Neurofeedback
FAQs