Biofeedback & Stress Management

How does Stress Affect the Body?

Stress often has emotional and physical consequences. Stress reactions cause our bodies to release the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which can result in increased heart rate and blood pressure, and changes in our immune system, digestive system, or reproductive system. Prolonged exposure to these hormones can result in excessive wear and tear on the body and mind, often impacting a number of medical and psychological conditions.

What is Biofeedback Therapy?

Biofeedback is a non-invasive process that helps you and your clinician better understand how stress, emotions that are difficult to manage, and situational factors impact your body. These bodily changes are measured via sensors and are displayed on a computer monitor that both you and your clinician can see. It provides immediate feedback regarding the level of physical reactivity (such as your heart rate or muscle tension) to stress. Learning to be aware of and to manage these reactions can help you to improve your health and resilience to stress.

How does Biofeedback Therapy work?

Biofeedback actively monitors your body’s responses to different situations and allows you to make helpful changes with immediate feedback about what is going on inside your body. Biofeedback involves teaching mindfulness-based techniques, relaxation exercises for combatting stress, and how to consciously influence automatic reactions like your breathing and heart rate. People often find that gaining some measure of control of their physiology is empowering and contributes to feelings of health and overall improved wellness.

By learning biofeedback strategies, you can learn how to:

Lower your blood pressure
Improve GI symptoms
Increase your energy level
Improve your quality of sleep
Manage chronic pain conditions
Manage anxiety and depression
Face phobias
Dampen the impact of migraine and tension headaches
Address factors contributing to neck and back pain
Loosen jaw pain (TMJ) and muscle tension
Increase peak performance in life activities and sports

Each training session typically lasts 45 – 60 minutes. The total number of biofeedback sessions varies depending on the specific concerns of the client. Although you may begin to experience benefits early on, typically 8 to 10 sessions of biofeedback training are required, and practicing the techniques at home and in daily life will enhance learning and symptom reduction. Eventually, you will learn to respond to your body’s signals, rather than relying on feedback from the monitor. If you continue working on these skills over time, you will maintain many of the benefits gained in treatment. Occasionally, our clients return to check in and “refresh” their skills.

To learn more, complete our quick and easy Online Intake Form or call us at (781) 551-0999 today.