The word 'biofeedback' was coined in the late 1969 to describe laboratory procedures (developed in the 1940's) that trained research subjects to alter brain activity, blood pressure, muscle tension, heart rate and other bodily functions that are not normally controlled voluntarily. Biofeedback is a training technique in which people are taught to improve their health and performance by using signals from their own bodies.

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.

How does bioFeedback work?

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 help you recognize your mind and body responses and teach you how to control them. Biofeedback works by letting you see, hear, or feel something that the sensors from a device have monitored from your body or mind.

What's monitored can be experienced through anything from an interactive video game, to a line chart. There are devices with sensors to monitor anything from the muscle tension of your left index finger, to the brainwaves of a specific location in your brain.

Biofeedback is a popular form of complementary and alternative medicine, but is also very beneficial for people who aren't looking to cure a specific disease or condition. It can help you improve your health and sense of well-being.

Once you learn to recognize and control these responses with biofeedback, you can begin to form new positive habits that continue throughout your life.

One of the best uses of biofeedback is the reduction of stress. Our light and sound biofeeback package is a very effective way to apply biofeedback for this.

How effective is biofeedback?

Most people who try Biofeedback report some improvement over their symptoms. For some problems, the success rates are as high as 80 or 90%.

What kinds of people benefit from it?

All kinds of people -- children, adults, seniors -- from those in excellent health to those in poor health.

How long has it been around?

Biofeedback has been studied for at least 20 years. Hundreds of clinical studies have demonstrated its efficacy in thousands of patients with a variety of medical conditions.

How long does it take to get results?

Many people find that their condition improves after only three or four sessions. Others find it takes a little longer.

What are the risks and side effects?

The mind has a very powerful effect on the body. Biofeedback teaches you to use your "Mind/Body connection" in a positive way.

What type of conditions has biofeedback helped with?

There are clinical studies and reports or case histories concerning the effectiveness of biofeedback for the following therapeutic applications:

• Addiction
• Anxiety
• Attachment Disorder
• Attention Deficit Disorder
• Autoimmune Dysfunctions
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
• Chronic Pain
• Conduct Disorder
• Depression
• Epilepsy
• Sleep Disorders
• Stroke/TBI
• Tourettes Syndrome