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a Biofeedback Practitioner
Biofeedback
What Is It?
How Does It Work?
What Happens During Treatment?
What Is It Used For?
Side Effects/Cautions
Recommended Books
What Is It?
Biofeedback is a technique that teaches people to become more aware
of, and to control, physical and emotional functions that are normally
unconscious and automatic. It involves the use of monitoring instruments
which measure brain-wave patterns, temperature, heart rate, blood
pressure, skin resistance and muscle tension. Abnormalities in
these bodily functions can cause a variety of medical problems,
and learning to control them can bring relief.
How Does It Work?
Biofeedback is based on the concept that our thoughts and emotions
influence physical reactions in the body. It trains people to
associate certain thoughts and actions with desired physical
responses.
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What Happens During
Treatment?
During your first visit to a practitioner you will be asked about
your general health, The practitioner will then tape sensors to
various parts of the body in order to measure heart rate, temperature,
muscle tension, and so on. The sensors are connected to instruments
which give you immediate feedback on the bodily function you are
trying to control. For example an electromyograph measures muscle
tension, and an electroencephalograph (EEG) measures brain-wave
activity. Some biofeedback machines give feedback in graphical
form on a computer display, while others use sounds or flashing
lights.
The practitioner will teach you mental or physical
exercises that will help you to control the functions
which are causing your problem. You can monitor your
progress by noting any changes in signals from the
feedback machine. Over time, you will learn to control
physical functions by associating desired responses
(e.g., relaxation, reduced pain) with certain thoughts
and actions. Once learned, these thoughts and actions
can be applied without the aid of a feedback machine.
Sessions usually last between 30 minutes and one hour.
Most people need 8-10 sessions with 1-5 sessions per
week.
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What Is It Used
For?
Biofeedback is useful for any ailments caused by involuntary muscular
tension, such as headaches, migraine, back and neck pain and breathing
problems (including asthma). It can relieve anxiety, depression
and insomnia and help overcome addictions. It can help stroke victims
recover co-ordination, and is also used to treat complications
from diabetes.
Side Effects/Cautions
Biofeedback has no known side effects. The process is not painful.
If you use a pacemaker or have a heart disorder consult
your doctor before using a biofeedback machine.
Diabetics should monitor their blood sugar levels
carefully if using biofeedback therapy.
References
Find
a Biofeedback Practitioner
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Recommended
Books
Prices are in US Dollars
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A Symphony in the Brain:
The Evolution of the New Brain Wave Biofeedback
Jim Robbins
Imagine a procedure versatile enough to treat
epilepsy, autism, attention deficit disorder,
addictions, and depression with no drugs or
side effects; to bring patients out of vegetative
states; and to improve everything from golf
scores to opera singers' voices. These are
only some of the claims made for neurofeedback,
a controversial but effective treatment that
is revolutionizing the way an incredibly diverse
range of medical and psychological conditions
are treated. In A Symphony in the Brain, Jim
Robbins traces the fascinating, untold story
of the development of neurofeedback, from its
discovery by a small corps of research psychologists,
to its growing application across the country
and around the world, to present battles for
acceptance in the conservative medical world.
Offering a wealth of powerful case studies,
accessible scientific explanations, and dramatic
personal accounts, Robbins journeys through
a remarkable field, which he brings to the
public eye for the first time.
Learn
more...
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Biofeedback, Third Edition: A Practitioner's
Guide
Mark S. Schwartz, Frank Andrasik
This guide offers state-of-the-science coverage
of biofeedback research, applications, clinical
procedures, and biomedical instrumentation.
For biofeedback practitioners from any professional
background, including clinical, counselling,
and allied health. This new edition includes
eleven new chapters; and revised, updated and
streamlined chapters.
"The Bible of non-EEG Biofeedback; a
practitioner must-have."
Learn
more...
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Getting Started with Neurofeedback
John N. Demos
This book introduces the reader to neurofeedback,
including its history and scientific basis.
Case studies help the reader understand how
these techniques are applied to therapeutic
situations such as ADD and learning difficulties.
Information about training, setting up an office,
and neurofeedback equipment are provided.
Learn
more...
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More
Biofeedback Books
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