What is biofeedback? It is a mind-body therapy that uses instruments for monitoring various physiological parameters of the body in order to train a person to exercise conscious control to change these processes which are normally only controlled by subconscious processes. Biofeedback sessions include a coach to help facilitate the changes through guided meditations. The physiological parameters are measured from electrodes placed on the skull for measuring brain waves (electroencephalography, neurofeedback, or EEG), on the skin for measuring skin temperature (thermal biofeedback) or galvanic response, near the heart for heart rate training, and near muscles (electromyography or EMG), to train for muscular control. http://www3.widener.edu/Academics/School_of_Human_Service_Professions_/Institute_for_Graduate_Clinical_Psychology/The_Biofeedback_Clinic_and_Certification_Center/Types_of_Biofeedback/7098/ http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/biofeedback-000349.htm

This site discusses some of the disorders that have been addressed by biofeedback therapeutic approaches. Different therapies using this phenomenon are discussed in the section on the right and you will find more information in the related Google and Mahalo links provided. News and blog sections on biofeedback are also included.

Yogic masters have demonstrated the ability to change physiological parameters that are controlled by the autonomic nervous system, such as blood pressure, heart rate, finger or hand temperature. One can master yoga or qigong to achieve these skills or you can use biofeedback therapy. Besides the control of blood pressure, biofeedback has been found to be useful for treating a variety of psychological, physiological and physical disorders. In particular, it has been proven effective in clinical trials for curing urinary incontinence, reducing stress, neuromuscular re-education in stroke patients, treating insomnia, increasing peripheral blood circulation for Raynaud's Syndrome, decreasing pain in fibromyalgia and other conditions, alleviating migraine and chronic tension headaches and improving behavior and intelligence scores in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There are many other conditions for which biofeedback seems to be beneficial as well. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11172227?dopt=Abstract http://www.besweb.com/Articles/Articles/InHouseArticles/UltimateSelf-Help/HistoryofBiofeedback/ http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/biofeedback-000349.htm

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