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.
When you visit your therapist, the first thing that they do is to connect you to some sensors. This may be in the form of a finger sensor or a number of electrodes connected to your skin. The sensors help in determining a number of parameters which are general indicators of stress levels. These include, among others, skin temperature, breathing rate, heart rate and muscular activity among others.
Stressful situations are associated with release of some hormones into the circulation. Examples include adrenaline and cortisol. The hormones have varied effects that include, among others, increasing the heart rate, the blood pressure, the body temperature and the tension within muscles. When an individual is relaxed, the levels of these hormones are much lower and so are the various rates. This could also mean that if one is able to lower these parameters, they can help their body relax.
Biofeedback can be administered in two different ways. The first is the traditional approach where the patient pays the therapist a visit and explains their problem. The sensors are fixed and if some form of stress is identified, therapy is initiated. The second and newer form is the use of computer programs that can interpret the data from the sensors and formulate and treatment plan for the client.
A number of exercises are beneficial for persons that are seeking to relax. One of the most frequently used forms is deep breathing. This is a type of breathing that helps an individual oxygenate their blood adequately by breathing fewer times since each breath of air brings in larger volumes of oxygen compared to ordinary breathing. The lower respiration rate also lowers other parameters.
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.
There are several conditions that have been shown to benefit from this form of therapy. They include chronic pain (such as low back pain, fibromyalgia and pelvic inflammatory disease among others). Intractable headaches present a huge challenge to healthcare practitioners and the continued use of medication has the risk of leading to unwanted side effects. Other conditions include anxiety disorders, urinary incontinence, epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma among others.
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.
When you visit your therapist, the first thing that they do is to connect you to some sensors. This may be in the form of a finger sensor or a number of electrodes connected to your skin. The sensors help in determining a number of parameters which are general indicators of stress levels. These include, among others, skin temperature, breathing rate, heart rate and muscular activity among others.
Stressful situations are associated with release of some hormones into the circulation. Examples include adrenaline and cortisol. The hormones have varied effects that include, among others, increasing the heart rate, the blood pressure, the body temperature and the tension within muscles. When an individual is relaxed, the levels of these hormones are much lower and so are the various rates. This could also mean that if one is able to lower these parameters, they can help their body relax.
Biofeedback can be administered in two different ways. The first is the traditional approach where the patient pays the therapist a visit and explains their problem. The sensors are fixed and if some form of stress is identified, therapy is initiated. The second and newer form is the use of computer programs that can interpret the data from the sensors and formulate and treatment plan for the client.
A number of exercises are beneficial for persons that are seeking to relax. One of the most frequently used forms is deep breathing. This is a type of breathing that helps an individual oxygenate their blood adequately by breathing fewer times since each breath of air brings in larger volumes of oxygen compared to ordinary breathing. The lower respiration rate also lowers other parameters.
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.
There are several conditions that have been shown to benefit from this form of therapy. They include chronic pain (such as low back pain, fibromyalgia and pelvic inflammatory disease among others). Intractable headaches present a huge challenge to healthcare practitioners and the continued use of medication has the risk of leading to unwanted side effects. Other conditions include anxiety disorders, urinary incontinence, epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma among others.
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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