Biofeedback is a popular alternative therapy for relieving migraines and stress. See why many chronic pain patients opt for biofeedback to cure their headaches.
What is biofeedback?
Biofeedback is a therapeutic method that teaches you how to control bodily functions that are normally out of your control, such as your heart rate, body temperature, tension, blood pressure, and stress reaction. Using electrodes that he attaches to your skin, a biofeedback practitioner helps you recognize certain bodily reactions to stress; with practice, you will be better able to control these body signals, eventually, without the use of biofeedback equipment.
Are there different types of biofeedback?
There are three main types of biofeedback. They are:
- Electromyography (EMG), which is used to measure muscular stiffness
- Thermal biofeedback, which measures body temperature
- Neurofeedback, or electroencephalography (EEG), which measures brain activity
Can biofeedback prevent migraines?
In many cases, yes- Thermal biofeedback is effective for treating adults, teens, and children with chronic migraine headaches or tension headaches. Additionally, thermal biofeedback is also helpful in treating Raynaud’s disease, an illness that restricts blood flow to the extremities.
What other illnesses can biofeedback treat?
Biofeedback is a popular non-drug alternative therapy for treating a host of illnesses; millions of Americans use biofeedback treatments to wean themselves off medications, decrease the amount of prescription medications they currently take, or as preventative medicine.
Besides migraines, here are some other illnesses that are treatable through biofeedback:
- Anxiety disorder
- Depression
- Incontinence
- Constipation
- Epilepsy
- Backaches
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Autism
- ADD/ADHD
- Asthma
Related reading:
6 Safe Migraine Treatments for Pregnant Moms
Alternative Migraine Treatments: Thinking outside of the Botox
Sources:
Biofeedback for the treatment/prevention of migraines