Biofeedback
I am offering Biofeedback-oriented sessions on Sundays only.
What is Biofeedback? A Definition.
Biofeedback is a modern health maintenance tool that was developed in the early 1970s. It uses sensitive monitors to detect certain biological functions, and then gives you immediate information, usually displayed on a computer screen. This “biological feedback” enables you to make positive changes in the way your body functions, with the help of a trained coach, sometimes called a biofeedback therapist.
For example, biofeedback is often used for chronic pain, because excess muscle tension can cause or worsen headaches or back, neck, jaw or other pain. In these situations, I would use the biofeedback instruments to painlessly monitor the muscles in the affected area and display the information to you on a monitor. Then you will learn to identify (without looking at the monitor) what is excessive muscle tension vs. normal states, and how to minimize stress in this area during activities of daily living.
Biofeedback modalities I commonly use include:
Developing and using these skills is an enjoyable process and people of every age and background can learn to do this quickly and easily. Of course, motivation and practice are key to achieving success with biofeedback training: the more you put into it, the more you will get from it.
Why Does Biofeedback Work?
Stress, injuries or unconscious physical habits can result in negative changes in your mind or body's functioning. These changes include: increased heart rate and blood pressure, decreased blood supply to the hands and feet, excess muscle tension, shallow, rapid breathing, abnormal sweating of the palms, gastrointestinal problems, and stress hormones being released into the bloodstream.
These physical changes, especially if prolonged or chronic, can cause or worsen problems such as nausea, diarrhea, hypertension, cold hands and feet, migraine or tension headache, muscle pain, fatigue, high blood sugar, weight gain, insomnia, anxiety and panic attacks.
Biofeedback is effective because you can learn to control these physical functions and may thus be able to moderate your symptoms.
What conditions do you treat with Biofeedback?
Since I am not a medical provider, I cannot diagnose or treat any medical condition. As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, I may work with any condition that is properly in the realm of counselling. Additionally, biofeedback is appropriate for any condition that is caused or worsened by stress. So for example, if you have asthma that tends to get worse with stress, I can show you optimal breathing techniques which you may find helpful for your asthma symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy plus biofeedback is appropriate for the management of many medical conditions, including chronic pain. Please contact me with any questions on your suitability for biofeedback training.
What does Biofeedback Training Involve?
I begin with an assessment to identify any stress responses or dysfunctional patterns that may be contributing to your specific problem. The biofeedback sensors will be placed on key areas of your body to collect biological data. Remember – the biofeedback process is painless! Next, working with the instruments, you will learn ways to reduce or eliminate any dysfunctional patterns that have been identified, eventually “graduating” off the equipment. A typical session is 45 minutes and the length of training averages 4 – 16 sessions, depending on the complexity of your situation. I often give home practice exercises to speed up progress and achieve better results.
Biofeedback involves virtually no risk or discomfort, while the payoff may be great in terms of improvement, both short-term and long-term. As an additional benefit, clients usually report that the skills they learned to control their main problem, also contribute to their general health and quality of life. While improvement cannot be guaranteed, in my experience almost everyone receives some degree of benefit.
Biofeedback is complementary to traditional medical and/or psychological care and usually I work in conjunction with your doctor or psychologist. Biofeedback is considered educational in nature and therefore is not licenced, however there is a voluntary rigorous certification program offered by the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America (BCIA). I obtained certification from the BCIA in 1990 and have since then maintained continuous certification, in addition to my Master's in Counselling from San Francisco State University.
BCIA Certificant No: B3646
For more information on biofeedback, visit the following links:
• The Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB)
• HealthlinkBC
Please see my current consumer alert, "What is Fake Biofeedback?" on my Facebook page or here: http://www.theempoweredlife.ca/facebook-page.html
What is Biofeedback? A Definition.
Biofeedback is a modern health maintenance tool that was developed in the early 1970s. It uses sensitive monitors to detect certain biological functions, and then gives you immediate information, usually displayed on a computer screen. This “biological feedback” enables you to make positive changes in the way your body functions, with the help of a trained coach, sometimes called a biofeedback therapist.
For example, biofeedback is often used for chronic pain, because excess muscle tension can cause or worsen headaches or back, neck, jaw or other pain. In these situations, I would use the biofeedback instruments to painlessly monitor the muscles in the affected area and display the information to you on a monitor. Then you will learn to identify (without looking at the monitor) what is excessive muscle tension vs. normal states, and how to minimize stress in this area during activities of daily living.
Biofeedback modalities I commonly use include:
- Muscle biofeedback (surface EMG or sEMG - it's a little like an EKG)
- Hand temperature – chronically cool hands are often a symptom of chronic overstress.
- Breathing – a key factor in stress, anxiety and panic states, as well as respiratory conditions.
- Heart Rate Variability (also known as HRV or RSA) – a key factor in panic, asthma, hypertension and peak performance issues. HRV biofeedback is a popular tool among people exploring the health advantages of supporting the vagus nerve.
Developing and using these skills is an enjoyable process and people of every age and background can learn to do this quickly and easily. Of course, motivation and practice are key to achieving success with biofeedback training: the more you put into it, the more you will get from it.
Why Does Biofeedback Work?
Stress, injuries or unconscious physical habits can result in negative changes in your mind or body's functioning. These changes include: increased heart rate and blood pressure, decreased blood supply to the hands and feet, excess muscle tension, shallow, rapid breathing, abnormal sweating of the palms, gastrointestinal problems, and stress hormones being released into the bloodstream.
These physical changes, especially if prolonged or chronic, can cause or worsen problems such as nausea, diarrhea, hypertension, cold hands and feet, migraine or tension headache, muscle pain, fatigue, high blood sugar, weight gain, insomnia, anxiety and panic attacks.
Biofeedback is effective because you can learn to control these physical functions and may thus be able to moderate your symptoms.
What conditions do you treat with Biofeedback?
Since I am not a medical provider, I cannot diagnose or treat any medical condition. As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, I may work with any condition that is properly in the realm of counselling. Additionally, biofeedback is appropriate for any condition that is caused or worsened by stress. So for example, if you have asthma that tends to get worse with stress, I can show you optimal breathing techniques which you may find helpful for your asthma symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy plus biofeedback is appropriate for the management of many medical conditions, including chronic pain. Please contact me with any questions on your suitability for biofeedback training.
What does Biofeedback Training Involve?
I begin with an assessment to identify any stress responses or dysfunctional patterns that may be contributing to your specific problem. The biofeedback sensors will be placed on key areas of your body to collect biological data. Remember – the biofeedback process is painless! Next, working with the instruments, you will learn ways to reduce or eliminate any dysfunctional patterns that have been identified, eventually “graduating” off the equipment. A typical session is 45 minutes and the length of training averages 4 – 16 sessions, depending on the complexity of your situation. I often give home practice exercises to speed up progress and achieve better results.
Biofeedback involves virtually no risk or discomfort, while the payoff may be great in terms of improvement, both short-term and long-term. As an additional benefit, clients usually report that the skills they learned to control their main problem, also contribute to their general health and quality of life. While improvement cannot be guaranteed, in my experience almost everyone receives some degree of benefit.
Biofeedback is complementary to traditional medical and/or psychological care and usually I work in conjunction with your doctor or psychologist. Biofeedback is considered educational in nature and therefore is not licenced, however there is a voluntary rigorous certification program offered by the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America (BCIA). I obtained certification from the BCIA in 1990 and have since then maintained continuous certification, in addition to my Master's in Counselling from San Francisco State University.
BCIA Certificant No: B3646
For more information on biofeedback, visit the following links:
• The Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB)
• HealthlinkBC
Please see my current consumer alert, "What is Fake Biofeedback?" on my Facebook page or here: http://www.theempoweredlife.ca/facebook-page.html