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.
Whenever a person is stressed out, there are a number of things that happen in the body. One of the most significant things is the production of chemical known as the stress hormones. This hormones have a number of effects including an increase in the heart rate, increased sweating and body temperature and increased muscular activity among others. A relaxed state gives a reversal of this effect.
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.
A number of relaxation exercises have been shown to be effective in helping stressed out individuals. They include for example, deep breathing. This is essentially a breathing technique where a person uses their abdominal muscles to compress the lungs and expand the chest wall cavity in alternate fashion. Since the expansion and relaxation of lungs is increased, the number of breaths needed per minute will also be lowered hence a reduced respiratory rate.
Another useful technique is that which helps the individual achieve progressive relaxation of their muscles. The subject is trained over several days or weeks to relax and tense their muscles at will. As a result their learn how to reverse the effect of stress on their muscles. Other options that may be considered include guided imagery and meditation among others. These mainly focus on the avoidance of negative thoughts.
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.
Whenever a person is stressed out, there are a number of things that happen in the body. One of the most significant things is the production of chemical known as the stress hormones. This hormones have a number of effects including an increase in the heart rate, increased sweating and body temperature and increased muscular activity among others. A relaxed state gives a reversal of this effect.
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.
A number of relaxation exercises have been shown to be effective in helping stressed out individuals. They include for example, deep breathing. This is essentially a breathing technique where a person uses their abdominal muscles to compress the lungs and expand the chest wall cavity in alternate fashion. Since the expansion and relaxation of lungs is increased, the number of breaths needed per minute will also be lowered hence a reduced respiratory rate.
Another useful technique is that which helps the individual achieve progressive relaxation of their muscles. The subject is trained over several days or weeks to relax and tense their muscles at will. As a result their learn how to reverse the effect of stress on their muscles. Other options that may be considered include guided imagery and meditation among others. These mainly focus on the avoidance of negative thoughts.
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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