A technique in which machines measure certain physiological processes of the body. The machines convert this information to an understandable form and feed it back to the individual. This process gives a person access to biological information not usually available through consciousness alone.
Biofeedback is a method wherein an individual utilizes information regarding an ordinarily involuntary bodily function, such as blood pressure, to develop conscious control over said function. This training technique has shown potential in treating stress-related ailments, including specific forms of hypertension (high blood pressure), anxiety, and migraines. By harnessing the power of conscious control over these bodily functions, biofeedback offers a promising approach to alleviate related conditions.
During a biofeedback session, the doctor connects the patient to a recording instrument capable of measuring various unconscious bodily activities such as blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, skin perspiration, brain waves, or stomach acidity. The patient is provided with feedback by means of the instrument’s signals, which may include visual cues such as a flashing light or auditory signals such as a changing tone. These signals serve to relay information regarding the fluctuating levels of the monitored activities, allowing the patient to gain awareness and control over them through the feedback received.
With increasing experience in the technique, individuals begin to develop a heightened sense of self-awareness, perceiving changes in their state whenever there is a shift in the biofeedback signals. Through the application of relaxation techniques, individuals learn to consciously manipulate these signals by exerting control over the corresponding bodily functions. Once this skill is acquired, individuals can exercise control over these functions without relying on the biofeedback instrument.