What is Biofeedback?
Excerpted from "An Introduction to Biofeedback"
by George D. Fuller Von Bozzay. Ph.D. and Pennie Sempell of the Biofeedback
Institute of San Francisco
Biofeedback is the use of instrumentation to mirror psychophysiological
processes of which the individual is not normally aware and which may
be brought under voluntary control. This provides ones with immediate
information about their biological conditions. This could include: muscle
tension, skin surface temperature, brain wave activity, galvanic skin
response, blood rate and heart rate. This feedback helps the individual
play a more active role in managing their health.
Countless tiny minute changes constantly occur in our bodies. There are
changes in muscle activity, brain wave patterns, heart rate, blood flow,
hormonal and gastric acidity. Many of these changes are related to psychological
factors, including stress, arousal, fear, sexual excitement, anxiety and
relaxation. Learning to manage this interaction of the mind and the body
underlies much of biofeedback training.
An example of this type of learning is the familiar experience of learning
to hit the "bull's eye" with a dart. If we had to learn blindfolded
without any knowledge of how close or far our throws had been from the
center, we would have almost no chance of improving, but our eyes give
us feedback. Instantaneously they tell us, "Oh, I threw a little
too far to the right (or left)." With practice at throwing darts
and getting feedback, we have a much better chance of improving than if
we had been blindfolded. Yet, we don't really understand exactly which
nerves directed which muscles in exactly what manner nor were we aware
of just how our brain synthesized all the feedback information. Still,
we can now hit the bull's eye and we have a greater awareness of how to
do it. Biofeedback is like our eyes in the bull's eye example. It gives
us information we need to gain better control over something we wish to
do voluntarily. Thus, biofeedback is essentially a learning technique
that allows the individual control over some physiological and psychological
processes.
Biofeedback has applications in general relaxation training, neuromuscular
re-education, exploration in psychotherapy, stuttering, tinnitus management,
diagnosis and demonstration of mind-body interaction, and asthma, just
to name a few. Because psychological and medically related issues usually
involve cases where biofeedback is useful, it's important that clients
seek consultation with licensed health professionals experienced in the
use of biofeedback in addition to their area of expertise. Professional
biofeedback societies have been established in some states to set standards
for training professionals and assistants in biofeedback. These groups
also provide educational services to the public. Persons interested in
biofeedback services should contact the Biofeedback Society of California
(San Francisco) or the Biofeedback Society of America (Denver, Colorado)
or their state's local society.
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