Biofeedback is the patterns of our response to emergencies probably emerged during the time when all humans faced actual physical
threats to their survival. Although the "threats" we now live with are seldom physical, the body still reacts as if they were.
Actual and perceived stressful events can produce strong emotions, which arouse certain physical responses from the sympathetic
nervous system - the network of nerve tissues that helps prepare the body to meet emergencies by "flight or fight." Some of us
are more sensitive to the flight-or-fight response than others.
When we sense danger, our bodies release stress hormones, and our heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension increase.
While this response is useful when we really are in danger and need to respond, it can be a problem if we do not learn how to
respond to ordinary stresses in a healthy way and can lead to feeling chronically "stressed."
Behavior, thoughts, and feelings influence our whole mind/body system. Individual physical responses to stress can become
habitual. When the body is repeatedly aroused, one or more functions may become permanently overactive. Become more aware of
your responses, and you can be more comfortable and in control - you can learn to change inappropriate reactions.
Biofeedback has a powerful impact on the brain. Because of this, these methods can benefit
medical and psychological problems.
Biofeedback is used by health care professionals trained in such areas as psychology, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, social work and counseling as part of treatments for many diagnosed disorders. These may include but are not limited to: anxiety, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, constipation, migraine and tension headaches, ADHD, ADD, pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and more. Biofeedback may also be used by coaches and educators to help people function better.
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Thursday, August 21, 2008
Biofeedback is the patterns of our response to emergencies probably emerged during the time when all humans faced actual physical
threats to their survival. Although the "threats" we now live with are seldom physical, the body still reacts as if they were.
Actual and perceived stressful events can produce strong emotions, which arouse certain physical responses from the sympathetic
nervous system - the network of nerve tissues that helps prepare the body to meet emergencies by "flight or fight." Some of us
are more sensitive to the flight-or-fight response than others.
