Under the rubric of alternative medical applications that do not rely on a prescription of medication, new possibilities are constantly being discovered. Among these quite effective procedures is biofeedback.
What is biofeedback?
Physiological processes that initially occur unconsciously and involuntarily represent the basis of biofeedback. For example, by applying electrodes, the performance of muscles can be measured. Behind the name biofeedback there is an applied methodology, which is based on the recognition and exploitation of the connections between physiological mechanisms and various diseases. The vital processes, which are naturally controlled in the body, can be used to influence the well-being and health of a person. The word part feedback means a feedback of the body’s own processes, which is supported by different medical-technical recording variants. The focus of biofeedback is a special behavioral training, which is implemented on the targeted influence on various biological functions of the body.
Function, effect and goals
The basis of biofeedback is represented by the physiological processes that initially occur unconsciously and involuntarily. These are technically measured in biofeedback in the form of the activity of individual brain areas, the pulse and temperature of the skin, respiratory performance, fluctuations in blood pressure and the electrical conductivity of the skin surface. For example, the performance of muscles can be determined by applying electrodes during biofeedback. As a result of these measurements, it is possible to influence these processes at will. By means of very specific training procedures, the human being is able through biofeedback to influence these biological processes, which are initially considered to be non-volitionally controllable. This would mean that purely with the training of one’s own self-concentration and the support of medical devices, high blood pressure could be lowered by one’s own mental powers. From a technical point of view, biofeedback is about influencing the unity of brain and physique. This helps people to live healthier and feel better. Biofeedback is used to have a positive effect on health complaints such as migraine headaches, tension headaches and circulatory disorders. Furthermore, biofeedback is successfully used as a scientifically proven method in the non-medicinal treatment of psychosomatic diseases, in the regulation of high blood pressure and in chronic pain. Biofeedback is also recognized in psychiatry and neurology as a therapeutic support for anxiety and panic states. Many patients may have already come into contact with biofeedback unconsciously when it comes to achieving relaxation and a reduction in pain through very specific breathing techniques. With biofeedback, it is not only a matter of improving the health condition. Another goal of biofeedback is to acquire the ability to perceive one’s own body much more sensitively and thus to be able to respond to its needs. Most people have lost this actually natural behavior, so that illnesses set in. Biofeedback is closely related to autogenic training and progressive muscle relaxation. Biofeedback has been offered for several years in numerous rehabilitation and spa facilities as well as in clinics, which are based on the alternative healing methods. Especially in the case of psychological and psychosomatic illnesses, biofeedback can be used to achieve lasting healing success in a gentle and very individual way. This refers not only to pain, but also to a manifested addictive behavior but also to depression and burnout syndrome, sleep disorders, epilepsy, nervousness and paralysis.
Risks and dangers
Biofeedback is hardly characterized by risks, side effects or complications. However, biofeedback cannot be used safely for all diseases. This concerns in particular mental illnesses, which are based on a so-called disturbance of the personality.In addition, the technical devices used for the required body measurements in biofeedback as well as the applied training methods are completely risk-free and do not cause any hypersensitivities or intolerances. Medication is completely dispensed with in biofeedback. If drugs are necessary, there are no objections if they are based on a prescription given by a doctor. If the present complaints are not alleviated by the alternative treatment method of biofeedback or if the health condition worsens, a specialist should be consulted.
