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What Is Biofeedback?

By , About.com Guide

Updated November 02, 2009

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Definition:

Biofeedback is a treatment designed to help you develop control over body functions that are causing you to experience unwanted symptoms; however, it's important to keep in mind that it's not effective in all patients.

Using sensors attached to specific parts of your body, biofeedback machines are used to measure such things as:

  • Blood pressure
  • Brain activity
  • Heart rate
  • Muscle tension
  • Skin temperature
  • Sweat gland activity

The information from these measurements are made available to you in real time as the treatment is performed. Using this feedback, you are then able to make desired changes over these body functions. Biofeedback has been used to treat a variety of medical and psychological problems, including:

  • Anxiety
  • Asthma
  • Blood pressure
  • Circulatory disorders
  • Cardiac conditions
  • Digestive disorders
  • Migraine and other headaches

For an in-depth discussion of biofeedback:

Explore Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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