Biofeedback

All content is checked by medical journalists.

Biofeedback is a procedure in behavioral medicine. The patients receive feedback about normally unconscious processes in the body and should learn to influence them. Biofeedback is used, for example, for chronic pain, incontinence and mental illness. Read more about biofeedback here: therapy and application options as well as possible risks of the procedure.

What is biofeedback?

Biofeedback is a therapeutic method for the treatment of mental and physical illnesses. The patient should learn to perceive and influence unconscious processes in their own body, such as heart rate, blood pressure, sweat gland activity and even brain waves. The body functions are measured either in the hospital or by portable biofeedback devices that the patient can simply take home. Since the procedure is aimed strongly at the cooperation and body awareness of the patient, it is part of behavioral medicine.

When is biofeedback carried out?

The biofeedback training is used for psychosomatic, psychological and purely physical illnesses. The doctor treats the following diseases with biofeedback, among others:

migraine
Tension headache
chronic back pain
Muscle tension
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Urinary and fecal incontinence
Constipation (constipation)
Epilepsy and other disorders with seizures
Stress-related illnesses such as insomnia, tinnitus, or irritable bowel syndrome

What do you do with biofeedback?

There is no special "biofeedback device". Rather, there are various techniques available for perceiving body processes. Which of these are used in each individual case depends on the individual complaints.

Mostly, sensors are attached to the body that measure muscle tension (electromyography) or the activity of the sweat glands, for example. The sensors are connected to a computer via cables. The patient now receives information about the measured values on the screen and can thus understand the body's own processes. For example, he can "experience live" the reaction of his body to negative memories or stressful situations, such as the rise in blood pressure or the increased activity of the sweat glands. After the patient has grasped the connection between external influences and his reaction, he must learn to influence his body, for example through relaxation exercises.

Further information: Neurofeedback

With neurofeedback, brain waveforms are derived with an EEG. You can find out more about this special form of biofeedback in the article Neurofeedback.

What are the risks of biofeedback?

Biofeedback is usually carried out with non-invasive measuring devices. This means that there are no special risks. It is therefore also suitable for children and pregnant women. It should be noted, however, that biofeedback is an alternative therapy method: it usually does not replace medical therapy! In addition, it should be clear to the patient that he or she has to make a significant contribution to the treatment.

What do I have to consider after biofeedback?

Use biofeedback regularly, as you learned it during your therapy, in order to consciously perceive and influence certain body functions. You do not need to observe any special precautionary measures.

Tags: drugs drugs travel medicine