Treatment Of Headache
Biofeedback Treatment Of Migraines
Biofeedback is basically a way for a person to learn
control over body a function. Functions that include muscle tension and
even levels of hormones in the blood have a direct influence upon
headaches. By using biofeedback techniques, information concerning these
functions are supplied to the person undergoing the technique.
A biofeedback session begins with a technician attaching your
body via wires to a computer that will monitor such things as heart
rate, brain waves, pulse, muscle activities, perspiration and skin
temperature. The readings of these monitors will be presented as sounds
or as video images. There are basically two goals involved in
biofeedback. Making yourself more attuned with how you feel when your
body is undergoing a variety of physical changes, for instance, changes
in blood pressure, and secondly, teaching you how to adjust your
physical responses so that you can effectively avoid problems associated
with them, such as migraines. The biofeedback sessions typically last
from thirty to sixty minutes, whereas the actual number of sessions you
will need depend greatly upon your condition as well as the progress you
make. Regardless of how well you respond, it is best not to exceed
fifteen sessions. The final step involved in biofeedback technique is
fully understanding what you have learned and then effectively applying
it to you lifestyle without the benefit of the biofeedback machines.
Not all biofeedback is alike. Indeed there are a variety of methods and the
one you choose will be dependent upon your individual needs.
Electromyogram (EMG). An EMG uses electrodes or other types of sensors to measure
muscle tension. By alerting you to muscle tension, you can learn to
recognize the feeling early on and try to control the tension right
away. EMG is mainly used to promote the relaxation of those muscles
involved in backaches, headaches, neck pain and grinding your teeth. An
EMG may be used to treat some illnesses whose symptoms tend to worsen
under stress, such as asthma and ulcers.
Temperature biofeedback. Sensors attached to your fingers or feet measure your skin temperature.
Because your temperature often drops when you're under stress, a low
reading can prompt you to begin relaxation techniques. Temperature
biofeedback can help treat certain circulatory disorders, such as
Reynaud's disease, or reduce the frequency of migraines.
Galvanic skin response training. Sensors measure the activity of your sweat
glands and the amount of perspiration on your skin, alerting you to
anxiety. This information can be useful in treating emotional disorders
such as phobias, anxiety and stuttering.
Electroencephalogram (EEG). An EEG monitors the activity of brain waves linked to different
mental states, such as wakefulness, relaxation, calmness, light sleep
and deep sleep.
Biofeedback has proven an effective method for many seeking alternative,
non-traditional, non-medicated relief from migraine. There are several
appealing factors at play in choosing to undergo biofeedback. For one thing,
if successful if you reduce and possibly eliminate your dependence upon drugs.
For those who don’t respond to medication, it potentially can help your situation
significantly. Once you begin biofeedback you may get the extra-added
appeal of feeling as if you have genuine control over your disease. And,
last but hardly least, it could seriously curtail your medical expenses.
However, like all other treatments, there are some drawbacks. For instance, if
you are one of those anal-retentive types who have to know how something
works instead on relying on the fact that it does work, you should know
that experts aren’t completely certain of the why when it comes to
biofeedback. Many people who are consistently successful at using it to
fend of a variety of health problems are totally ignorant of how they do
it; all they can tell you is that their symptoms have subsided with the
help of this technique where they didn’t subside with any other.
Although biofeedback is considered to one of the safer methods of migraine
treatment, it is still recommended that you discuss it with a doctor who
is knowledgeable about the technique. You should also be aware that
biofeedback has been known to interfere with the use of some
medications, such as insulin.