Biofeedback therapy is based on the assumption that once an individual is in a position to harness the power of their mind and understanding their physiology of their body, they are in a great position to control their health. Scientists are yet to determine how exactly this therapy works but the general belief is that it helps with relaxation which in turn helps in managing stress related conditions. If they intend to benefit from biofeedback therapy long Island residents need to understand a number of things.
For the therapy to be carried out, electrodes are first attached to the skin. Fingers sensors may also be used to capture various parameters such as the heart rate, respiratory rate, skin temperature and muscle activity among others. These are all projected onto a screen graphically for ease of interpretation. Certain values will be displayed when one is stressed, relaxed or anywhere in between.
Stressful situations are associated with release of some hormones into the circulation. Examples include adrenaline and cortisol. The hormones have varied effects that include, among others, increasing the heart rate, the blood pressure, the body temperature and the tension within muscles. When an individual is relaxed, the levels of these hormones are much lower and so are the various rates. This could also mean that if one is able to lower these parameters, they can help their body relax.
Traditionally, biofeedback is conducted in the presence of a therapist but modern forms of treatment also encompass computer programs that aid in self-therapy. The computer uses the data collected by the sensor, synthesized it and produces an output that can be easily understood even by the lay person. The advantage with seeing a therapist in person is that they are trained to help you practice relaxation activities which may not be possible with the computer program.
There are various forms of exercise that have been found to be beneficial for persons undergoing the treatment because of their ability to lower stress levels. Deep breathing is among the most preferred. This entails the use of abdominal muscles to achieve better oxygenation of blood rather than the chest wall only. Consequently the breathing rate and several other parameters are lowered significantly.
Progressive muscular relaxation is another technique that has been used successfully. In this technique, the patient is taught how to gain control over their muscular system. They learn how to relax and tense their muscles at will. If they happen to suffer from stress they can use these skills to reduce the tension in the muscles which in turn reduces the rate of the other parameters. Other techniques that may be tried out include meditation and guided imagery.
Biofeedback therapy is effective for a number of conditions. A common example includes the many forms of chronic pain (such as fibromyalgia, pelvic inflammatory disease and low back pain among others). Intractable headache is another problem for which the treatment has been used. This is because prolonged use of analgesic agents poses the risk of unwanted side effects.
Biofeedback therapy is a form of treatment that has been gaining popularity by the day. This is because it is now being used alongside the management of many conditions either singly or in combination with other forms of therapy. The treatment is offered by many specialists including psychologists, psychiatrists and general doctors. The list of conditions that could potentially be managed using this option continues to grow by the day.
For the therapy to be carried out, electrodes are first attached to the skin. Fingers sensors may also be used to capture various parameters such as the heart rate, respiratory rate, skin temperature and muscle activity among others. These are all projected onto a screen graphically for ease of interpretation. Certain values will be displayed when one is stressed, relaxed or anywhere in between.
Stressful situations are associated with release of some hormones into the circulation. Examples include adrenaline and cortisol. The hormones have varied effects that include, among others, increasing the heart rate, the blood pressure, the body temperature and the tension within muscles. When an individual is relaxed, the levels of these hormones are much lower and so are the various rates. This could also mean that if one is able to lower these parameters, they can help their body relax.
Traditionally, biofeedback is conducted in the presence of a therapist but modern forms of treatment also encompass computer programs that aid in self-therapy. The computer uses the data collected by the sensor, synthesized it and produces an output that can be easily understood even by the lay person. The advantage with seeing a therapist in person is that they are trained to help you practice relaxation activities which may not be possible with the computer program.
There are various forms of exercise that have been found to be beneficial for persons undergoing the treatment because of their ability to lower stress levels. Deep breathing is among the most preferred. This entails the use of abdominal muscles to achieve better oxygenation of blood rather than the chest wall only. Consequently the breathing rate and several other parameters are lowered significantly.
Progressive muscular relaxation is another technique that has been used successfully. In this technique, the patient is taught how to gain control over their muscular system. They learn how to relax and tense their muscles at will. If they happen to suffer from stress they can use these skills to reduce the tension in the muscles which in turn reduces the rate of the other parameters. Other techniques that may be tried out include meditation and guided imagery.
Biofeedback therapy is effective for a number of conditions. A common example includes the many forms of chronic pain (such as fibromyalgia, pelvic inflammatory disease and low back pain among others). Intractable headache is another problem for which the treatment has been used. This is because prolonged use of analgesic agents poses the risk of unwanted side effects.
Biofeedback therapy is a form of treatment that has been gaining popularity by the day. This is because it is now being used alongside the management of many conditions either singly or in combination with other forms of therapy. The treatment is offered by many specialists including psychologists, psychiatrists and general doctors. The list of conditions that could potentially be managed using this option continues to grow by the day.
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