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Biofeedback is an evidence-based therapy that helps people improve their own health through understanding the body's signals. It is used in clinical settings with equipment that can measures brainwave activity, muscle activity, body temperature and skin conductivity. Like a person who takes his temperature and adjusts for health, biofeedback practitioners take physiological measurements and turn them into visual information that can be presented to the patient. Once the patient is made aware of their body's signals, they can then create the change necessary for better health.
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The term "biofeedback" originated in the 1960s. Researchers first used it to describe procedures being used in training subjects to control automatic responses. Although the field hasn't taken the route many scientists had hoped (that of completely controlling brainwaves) professionals in many different healthcare settings now use biofeedback.
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The first visit to a biofeedback therapist involves a lot of evaluation. The therapist will ask about past and present health conditions, then connect the patient to the biofeedback equipment. These machines take measurements of the patient's temperature, hand sweat and sometimes breathing patterns, creating a summary of the patient's health. This psycho-physiological profile is used in conjunction with an evaluation of the patient's physical movements like reclining, standing, walking, talking, and relaxing to determine how to proceed with treatment.
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- Addiction
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Bedwetting
- Cancer
- Cerebral Palsy
- Chronic Obstructive
- Pulmonary Disease
- Chronic pain
- Depression
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Dizziness
- Epilepsy
- Fecal/urinary incontinence
- Fibromyalgia
- Foot Ulcers
- Hand Dystonia
- Headache
- HIV
- Hypertension
- Insomnia
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Migraines
- Motion Sicknes
- Muscle spasms
- Myocardial Infarction
- Nausea
- PTSD
- Raynaud's Disease
- Stroke
- Tinnitus
- TMJ
- Whiplash
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- Biofeedback can be used by practitioners in many different medical fields, including psychology and medicine.
- Biofeedback enhances other treatments by making clients aware of their roles in staying healthy.
- Biofeedback is safe and non-invasive.
- Clients are taught to take responsibility for their own well-being.
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Side-Effects/Contra-Indications:
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- Biofeedback shouldn't be used to treat symptoms that have not yet been evaluated.
- Biofeedback might mask illnesses by providing clients with symptomatic relief.
- Biofeedback should not be used to treat major mental conditions.
- Those who are not cognitively capable of understanding the process of biofeedback should not be subjected to it.
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In most cases, Biofeedback professionals are trained medical practitioners who have already completed undergraduate or graduate work in medicine, psychology, counseling, therapy or other related fields. Students must complete 12-48 hours of coursework in biofeedback and a supporting field, earning a minimum of a “C†average in all class work. They are also required to spend twenty contact hours with a mentor, and hold up to 50 client-patient sessions. After completing the appropriate curriculum, students may test for certification.
Degree/License offered: General Biofeedback Certification, EEG Certification, Certified Biofeedback Technician.
Length of study: Certification can be completed in as little as five days, although most programs average 1-3 semesters.
Cost/Financial Aid: Students may pay between $400 and $2,350 in tuition and training costs, in addition to paying administrative costs. Regionally-accredited schools often offer financial aid in the form of loans or a reduction of fees.
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- Biofeedback has been used to increase the amount of time that astronauts can stay in space. Studies took place under water to mimic the effects of weightlessness. Participants were provided with a wearable outfit that measured and stored data such as body temperature, heart rate and skin conductivity. This information was then used to increase the time that participants could stay underwater, representing a similar effect for astronauts. view source
- Ninety-four asthma patients were treated with heart rate variability biofeedback to see if it would affect what level of asthma treatment was necessary. Results indicated that individuals who completed weekly treatments of biofeedback realized a lower dependence on steroid medication and an improvement of pulmonary function. view source
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Practitioner Training & Licensure:
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Licensure is an interesting subject for the Biofeedback professional, because there is no specific licensing requirement. Those who are called licensed biofeedback specialists are licensed in other medical fields, such as chiropractic, dentistry and other alternative medical modalities. Those who practice a style of alternative medicine can practice biofeedback legally if their field is licensed where they live. Those who have completed the training to receive certification in biofeedback, but are not licensed to practice in another medical field, are required to work under the guidance of a person who is licensed.
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Average Salary/Hourly Rate:
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Because of the confusion between licensed and unlicensed biofeedback practitioners, professionals will find a wide variety of salary differences. Unlicensed practitioners may make as little as $8/hour in some settings. The salary range for certified practitioners is $24,000-$40,000.
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