Why it's done
By Mayo Clinic staffBiofeedback, 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
- About biofeedback. Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. http://www.aapb.org/consumers_biofeedback.html. Accessed Dec. 1, 2009.
- Find a provider. Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. http://www.aapb.org/consumers_find.html. Accessed Dec. 1, 2009.
- Insurance coverage. Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. http://www.aapb.org/consumer_insurance.html. Accessed Dec. 1, 2009.
- Selecting a CAM practitioner. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/decisions/D346.pdf. Accessed Dec. 1, 2009.
- Andrasik F, et al. Biofeedback. In: Waldman SD, et al., eds. Pain Management. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2006.
- Greenhalgh J, et al. The effects of biofeedback for the treatment of essential hypertension: A systematic review. Health Technology Assessment. 2009;13:1.
- Consumer alerts. Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. http://www.aapb.org/alerts.html. Accessed Dec. 1, 2009
- Mann JD, et al. Biofeedback. In: Rakel D, et al. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2007.
- Mullally WJ, et al. Efficacy of biofeedback in the treatment of migraine and tension type headaches. Pain Physician. 2009;12:1005.
- What is biofeedback? Biofeedback Certification Institute of America. http://www.bcia.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=8. Accessed Dec. 22, 2009.
- Bauer BA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 22, 2009.
- Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 22, 2009.

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