Biofeedback Definition

Because biofeedback is at the forefront of advances in the medical industry, it can be difficult to find a good, working definition that isn’t too confusing.

Here is an excellent definition: biofeedback is a safe, non-invasive therapy that teaches patients to control their own physiological and neurological activity without the use of medication.

Biofeedback is usually based on measurements of:
 • Blood pressure
 • Brain waves (EEG)
 • Breathing
 • Heart rate
 • Muscle tension
 • Skin conductivity of electricity
 • Skin temperature

 Electrical sensors are attached to your body, which then collects information about a variety of processes. You will see visuals of these various bodily processes, such as brainwave activity in the case of neurofeedback, skin temperature, or tension, as well as a variety of others. Individuals are then taught to perform actions that help to regulate these processes into healthy, functional patterns. After about twelve weeks of therapy, most patients have the ability to notice the subtle workings of their body and the disturbances caused by their particular affliction and have learned to manage their symptoms.

 Although biofeedback is a relatively new concept, some of the technology behind it is over a century old. Where before many biofeedback machines were used solely for scientific research or rarefied medical conditions, now the benefits are available for a host of issues. These include chronic pain, edema, hypertension, Raynaud's disease, excessive sweating, and incontinence. There are also disorders of the brain's executive function that have proven responsive to biofeedback, including attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), depression, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorders.

Best of all, unlike the many medication therapies available for the disorders mentioned above, biofeedback has no side effects, and the learned behaviors provide lasting or, in some cases, lifelong relief from symptoms. Biofeedback has no invasive procedures, and it is an excellent treatment for children, who generally enjoy the activities prescribed to them during their biofeedback sessions.

There are many biofeedback options available, ranging from large machines in a medical center to apps you can download for your smartphone. If you have a condition that you believe could be improved through the use of biofeedback, be sure to talk to your doctor.