Biofeedback

What is **biofeedback** treatment, and how does it work? What effects does it have on the mind and body? What are its benefits?

Biofeedback is a treatment that gives the patient control of his or her bodily functions. This is done through showing the patients measurments of their bodily functions such as heart rate, temperature and muscle tension in real time. These processes, originally thought to be automatic, can now be controlled to an extent because the patient has a hightened awareness of them. This treatment, also called mind-body therapy, is used to improve a patient's health by training patients to improve their own health by more readily responding to signals from their own bodies. It is most commonly used to control stress related conditions such as headaches, hot-flashes and asthma. Other disorders and sicknesses treated by Biofeedback treatment include high blood pressure, ADHD, epilepsy, nausea due to chemotherapy and cardiac arrhythmias.

Mainly given out by Physical therapists, they use biofeedback to help stroke victims regain movement in paralyzed muscles, help tense or anxious clients learn to relax, and help their patients cope with pain. However, the patient needs to do a'lot of work examining their own lives and what causes their distress.