Biofeedback

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Why it's done

By Mayo Clinic staff

Biofeedback, sometimes called biofeedback training, is used to help treat many physical and mental health issues, including:

  • Anxiety or stress
  • Asthma
  • Chemotherapy side effects
  • Constipation
  • Heart problems
  • High blood pressure
  • Incontinence
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Pain
  • Physical performance
  • Raynaud's disease

Biofeedback appeals to people for a variety of reasons:

  • It's noninvasive.
  • It may reduce or eliminate need for medications.
  • It may be a treatment alternative for those who can't tolerate medications for their conditions.
  • It may be an option when medications haven't worked well.
  • It may be an alternative to medications for some conditions during pregnancy.
  • It helps people take charge of their health.
References
  1. About biofeedback. Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. http://www.aapb.org/consumers_biofeedback.html. Accessed Dec. 1, 2009.
  2. Find a provider. Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. http://www.aapb.org/consumers_find.html. Accessed Dec. 1, 2009.
  3. Insurance coverage. Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. http://www.aapb.org/consumer_insurance.html. Accessed Dec. 1, 2009.
  4. Selecting a CAM practitioner. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/decisions/D346.pdf. Accessed Dec. 1, 2009.
  5. Andrasik F, et al. Biofeedback. In: Waldman SD, et al., eds. Pain Management. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2006.
  6. Greenhalgh J, et al. The effects of biofeedback for the treatment of essential hypertension: A systematic review. Health Technology Assessment. 2009;13:1.
  7. Consumer alerts. Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. http://www.aapb.org/alerts.html. Accessed Dec. 1, 2009
  8. Mann JD, et al. Biofeedback. In: Rakel D, et al. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2007.
  9. Mullally WJ, et al. Efficacy of biofeedback in the treatment of migraine and tension type headaches. Pain Physician. 2009;12:1005.
  10. What is biofeedback? Biofeedback Certification Institute of America. http://www.bcia.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=8. Accessed Dec. 22, 2009.
  11. Bauer BA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 22, 2009.
  12. Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 22, 2009.
MY01072 Jan. 26, 2010

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