Biofeedback Training

Biofeedback is a  technique  that  teaches  people  how to change their body’s activities (such as heart rate, breathing rate, skin temperature, and muscle activity) to improve physical symptoms of pain and overall health. During a  biofeedback session,  these activities are measured and the information is given to the patient. When this information is paired with relaxation skills such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and visualization, patients can see how relaxation changes their body’s activities.  Over  time,  consistent  practice of these skills can help to  decrease  stress,  balance the nervous system, and reduce or eliminate physical symptoms.

Biofeedback  sensors  (stickers)  are   typically   placed on the child’s forehead, fingers, and waist, as well as occasionally on the shoulders and/or forearms. These sensors send signals to a computer to track muscle tension, hand temperature, breathing rate, and skin moisture levels. The child is then coached through relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or muscle relaxation while monitoring changes in his or her body’s activities.

Biofeedback can be helpful with a variety of problems, including:

• Chronic abdominal pain
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Migraine and tension headaches
• Amplified pain syndrome
• Non-cardiac chest pain
• Musculoskeletal pain
• Insomnia

Yes—biofeedback is a safe, painless, and non-invasive technique that can be effective to reduce chronic pain.