Biofeedback Therapy—Advanced Medical Technology

Biofeedback is an electronic process that monitors automatic bodily functions and helps train a person to gain control of those functions. This interactive and fun program measures heart rate with a finger pulse and can provide relaxation techniques and exercises to help gain control of bodily reactions.

Biofeedback was created based on years of scientific research on the psychophysiology of stress, emotions and interactions between the heart and the brain. The roots of biofeedback can be traced back to the late 1800s when theories of controlling the body’s functions arose. However, in 1969 researchers in California coined the modern term biofeedback and formed a group that evolved into today’s Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback.

By learning how to control physiological responses to stress, biofeedback patients can learn how to relax their minds and bodies and better cope with the symptoms of stress that can be caused by multiple factors.

Sensors are connected to specific areas of your body to measure your response to various stimuli. A therapist will lead you through mental exercises that may involve visualization, meditation, breathing or relaxation techniques. During the session, you will receive feedback on the changes in your physical response and learn how to control those responses.

A typical Biofeedback Therapy session lasts 30 to 60 minutes. The duration of treatment and number of sessions can vary depending on your goals for treatment. Biofeedback therapy usually includes 4 to 6 sessions, although more are sometimes useful.

Genetics may predispose someone to mood disorder symptoms like depression or anxiety or to develop a personality disorder. However, behaviors can also be learned as well as caused by external factors and events. Our psychiatry staff will work with you to determine possible causes for your condition and develop an appropriate treatment plan.