Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a complementary and alternative medicine technique in which you learn to control bodily functions, such as your heart rate, using your mind. With biofeedback, you're connected to electrical sensors that help you measure and receive information (feedback) about your body (bio). The biofeedback sensors teach you how to make subtle changes in your body, such as relaxing certain muscles, to achieve the results you want, such as reducing pain.
In essence, biofeedback gives you the power to use your thoughts to control your body, often to help with a health condition or physical performance. Biofeedback is often used as a relaxation technique.
Biofeedback, sometimes called biofeedback training, is used to help treat many physical and mental health issues, including:
- Anxiety or stress
- Asthma
- Chemotherapy side effects
- Constipation
- Heart problems
- High blood pressure
- Incontinence
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Pain
- Physical performance
- Raynaud's disease
Biofeedback appeals to people for a variety of reasons:
- It's noninvasive.
- It may reduce or eliminate need for medications.
- It may be a treatment alternative for those who can't tolerate medications for their conditions.
- It may be an option when medications haven't worked well.
- It may be an alternative to medications for some conditions during pregnancy.
- It helps people take charge of their health.
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