Biofeedback 101 – Pain Psychology in Western North Carolina
If you or someone you love lives with chronic pain, you already know that the impact of chronic pain goes far beyond the physical complications. Chronic pain takes a significant toll on your emotional and mental health as well. That’s why, at the Comprehensive Pain Consultants of the Carolinas, we offer a wide range of pain psychology services in Western North Carolina.
One of those specialized pain psychology services is called Biofeedback. Today we’re going to walk you through the basics of biofeedback, including its relevance to chronic pain and what to expect in biofeedback therapy sessions.
What is Biofeedback?
Biofeedback is a mind-body therapy that is geared towards teaching a person how to identify and control his or her physiological functions. In other words, it’s all about learning how to unite brain and body in the shared goal of improving physical and psychological dysfunction. Contrary to other complementary therapies, biofeedback is a process of training rather than treatment.
Biofeedback does this by measuring different functions of the body – like blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, muscle contractions and more – with electrical sensors and then teaching you several ways to control those functions. Depending on your condition, there are several types and assistive technologies that your doctor may recommend for you to try.
Types
Electromyogram: Therapy that strives to reduce headaches, back pain and muscle retraining by monitoring muscle activity and tension.
Electrodermal activity: Targets pain and anxiety by monitoring sweat levels.
Thermal biofeedback: Focuses on attempting to reduce headaches by measuring skin temperature.
Heart-rate variability: Aims to reduce anxiety, COPD, asthma, and irregular heartbeat through the monitoring of heart rate.
Technologies
Wearable devices: This form of Biofeedback tool would most commonly be found in a smartwatch or other similar technology that can be connected to an app. The app monitors physiological functions and sends an alert when the wearer appears to be distressed. The warning is often accompanied by suggestions for relaxation techniques.
Computerized/Mobile Devices: This technology is dependent upon sensors that monitor physiological functions and relay that data to a computer or mobile device. That data would then guide the therapist’s instructions to the patient for relaxing muscles, altering breathing patterns and/or thinking positively.
The Comprehensive Pain Consultants of the Carolinas’ chronic pain psychologist in Asheville specializes in Biofeedback therapy as well as several other leading treatments for chronic pain. If you are looking to learn more about these different Biofeedback types and technologies, contact us for a consultation today.
Biofeedback and Chronic Pain
Everyday research is learning new effective applications for Biofeedback. Currently, experts agree that Biofeedback can be effective on chronic pain related to migraines, tension-type headaches, and back pain. It’s also shown to have a positive effect on anxiety, depression and hypertension, which would also help with chronic pain management.
Pain Psychology Services in Western North Carolina
We understand that chronic physical pain does not exist in a vacuum. Our talented team of specialists will take the time to get to know you and your unique condition, no matter how complex, and help you set realistic goals to improve your quality of life. If you or someone you love is looking for pain psychology services in the Western North Carolina area, look no further!
Call today to schedule your appointment with our pain psychologist!
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