Thanks to technological advancements, therapies that once seemed unthinkable are now part of everyday clinical practice. One of these is biofeedback, a biological self-monitoring technique used to enhance both physical and mental wellbeing.
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What is biofeedback?
Biofeedback is a therapeutic technique that uses sensors to measure physiological processes in real time. These measurements are displayed on a screen, allowing the patient to recognise how their body responds to different situations and to associate these reactions with specific sensations.
Over time, this awareness helps patients improve their ability to regulate certain bodily functions that can become unbalanced, affecting physical, emotional and mental health. Biofeedback can support:
- Muscle relaxation
- Reduction of heart rate or breathing rate
- Pain management
- Stress and anxiety reduction
Main biofeedback techniques
Biofeedback includes different specialised methods depending on each patient’s needs. The most widely used techniques include:
Electromyography (EMG): measures electrical activity in muscles to help improve muscle relaxation and control.
- Thermal biofeedback: monitors skin temperature to detect and regulate changes during stress.
- Galvanic skin response training: identifies physiological arousal levels related to distress or anxiety.
- Heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback: supports the regulation of blood pressure and helps reduce anxiety and stress.
How does a biofeedback session work?
A typical biofeedback treatment follows several structured steps to ensure accurate measurement and effective learning:
Preparation
The patient sits comfortably while sensors are placed on specific areas such as a muscle group, the fingers or the waist. The skin is cleaned with alcohol or salt water to improve conductivity.
Recording and evaluation
The sensors record physiological data — such as electrical activity or temperature — which appear instantly on a monitor. The professional analyses activity in different scenarios, such as at rest and under stress, to identify where improvement is needed.
Guided activity
The patient performs a task related to their condition while monitoring a specific parameter. For instance, a person with bruxism may practise lowering the electrical activity of the masseter muscle during a focused attention task.
Feedback and learning
During the activity, visual or auditory feedback helps the patient understand whether they are achieving the desired control. Over time, this repeated practice strengthens their ability to manage these responses independently.
Typically, several sessions lasting 30 to 60 minutes are required to notice improvements. Practising at home reinforces what is learned during treatment.
What conditions can biofeedback treat?
Biofeedback has shown effectiveness in a wide range of physical and psychological conditions:
- Stress: Helps regulate heart rate, muscle tension and other signals associated with stress, promoting relaxation.
- Bruxism: Supports jaw muscle relaxation and helps reduce clenching or grinding habits.
- Incontinence: Biofeedback for pelvic floor training strengthens the muscles involved in urinary retention.
- Attention deficit: Enhances concentration and develops techniques for managing attention.
- Sports performance: Allows athletes to monitor physiological responses during training, optimising technique and recovery.
- Phobias: Teaches individuals to control the physiological reactions associated with fear.
- Anxiety attacks: Supports the development of breathing and relaxation techniques to lessen the intensity of episodes.
- Migraines and headaches: Helps identify triggers and teaches strategies to manage muscle tension and related symptoms.
Biofeedback’s capacity to improve quality of life makes it an increasingly valuable tool in both clinical and therapeutic settings.
Conclusion: The value of biofeedback
Biofeedback is a highly adaptable and evidence-based technique that empowers patients to understand and regulate their physiological responses. Its applications range from stress management to the treatment of chronic pain, anxiety, and performance optimisation — making it a versatile resource across the health sciences.
In summary:
- Biofeedback helps patients control physiological functions through real-time monitoring.
- It uses techniques such as EMG, thermal, galvanic skin response and HRV monitoring.
- It is effective for stress, bruxism, migraines, incontinence and more.
- It requires multiple sessions and ongoing practice to maximise benefits.
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