What is biofeedback?
Biofeedback therapy is a mind-body approach that helps gain control over involuntary body functions. Therapists use non-invasive equipment to monitor heartbeat, breathing, and muscle tension. Based on these counts, healthcare providers guide patients in making certain conscious adjustments according to these automatic processes.
With this therapy, a patient can learn to relax better and manage stress to improve his or her overall well-being.
Types of Biofeedback
- Breathing: Bands placed around the chest and stomach monitor the rate of breathing and pattern of breathing. This can help a patient to relax more often and be generally beneficial.
- Brain Waves: EEG scalp pads track brain waves linked to various states of mind. By monitoring brain waves, patients can improve their mental and physical health.
- Heart Rate: ECG is connected to pads and finger sensors that measure heart rate and variability. This can ensure proper stress management by controlling heart rate and slowing it down.
- Muscle Activity: EMG sensors are used to measure muscle tension, which increases awareness of tightness and tells the exact location of discomfort. Relaxing muscles reduces pain and lowers discomfort.
- Sweat Glands: Sweating often indicates nervousness, which can be measured by using sensors on fingers, palms, and wrists. This awareness enables patients to manage stress and control responses.
- Temperature: Finger pads to toe pads measure the blood flow to the skin. Low-temperature signal stress points towards a lack of relaxation. By adopting relaxation techniques in routine, warmth increases and tension reduces automatically.
How much does biofeedback therapy cost?
The duration of biofeedback therapy depends on the severity of the problem and the health of the patients. However, the treatment generally ranges between Rs 3500 and Rs 4000. The cost of the therapy also depends on the number of sessions recommended by the therapist and on the duration of each session.
What conditions can biofeedback help treat?
Biofeedback therapy can help treat psychological and physical problems. Patients can recover from disorders like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
However, the therapy has proven to be effective in treating physiological illnesses like high blood pressure, certain kinds of bowel syndromes, and so on.
The therapy also treats certain lifestyle-related problems like repairing circadian rhythm, motion sickness, Raynaud’s symptoms, tinnitus, and so on.
How does biofeedback work?
Biofeedback helps people control unconscious bodily functions with the help of non-invasive equipment. The therapy aims to monitor vitals like heart rate and blood pressure and analyse brain activity. These measurements are converted into signals, such as sounds, that help a patient to practice control.
Gradually, these techniques reduce symptoms of health conditions and train the brain again to manage muscle tension. The aim is to achieve control without requiring continuous monitoring.
What happens during biofeedback therapy?
1. Connecting Sensors
The treatment starts with therapists attaching electric pads and sensors to various parts of the body. The aim is to monitor the brain waves, read muscle tension, and analyse breathing patterns.
2. Real-Time Feedback
These sensors are connected to machines that transmit data to the screen. The aim is to observe the physical response of the body in real time. These machines identify areas of tension, such as tight muscles causing a headache.
3. Professional Supervision
Therapists suggest techniques that can help a patient control the responses of a body. For instance, if a patient is experiencing tightness in the chest or tense veins in the temples, therapists can guide them on how to relieve the muscles effectively.
4. Duration of Sessions
Each feedback session usually lasts between 30 to 60 minutes. However, the number of sessions and the duration of each session depend on the severity of the patient.
What are the benefits of biofeedback therapy?
1. Better Control Over Body
With biofeedback therapy, an individual can zero in on the most sensitive part of the body. By controlling one’s heart rate or being more aware of breathing, an individual can manage stressful situations better.
2. Improves Mental Health
By controlling breathing, inhaling and exhaling properly, and being aware of the heart rate, a patient can prevent falling ill. Psychological disorders like depression, anxiety, stress, and emotional outbursts reduce as a person becomes calmer.
3. Enhances Quality of Life
By gaining control over various involuntary parts of the body, patients can lead a healthier life. Breathing promotes staying relaxed and calm; a slow heart rate keeps the mind stable during difficult situations, and awareness of muscle tension relieves stress.
4. Treats Chronic Pain
Specific chronic pains in various parts of the body can be treated better with the help of biofeedback therapy. Heightened awareness about painful body parts ensures that the right treatment is administered to heal that part.