Biofeedback - Answers To Common Questions

There are many reasons why biofeedback is used and many people are reporting that it does work and will continue to use biofeedback as a way to fight a plethora of medical conditions. But do you know what biofeedback is used for or even what it is? You are in luck because this article will provide you with some of the answers.

What is biofeedback?

Biofeedback is a way to use the body's signals to improve your own health. You have seen it used countless times in a physician's office when they monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, temperature and even your muscle tenseness. Going on those results from the machinery, your treatment plan is put into action. If you have ever stepped on a scale at home and measured your weight you have used a biofeedback machine. You see the weight and then take actions based on what you have seen such as losing weight or subconsciously registering that you need to gain weight by eating more.

What are the origins of biofeedback?

It began in the middle of the 20th century with a psychologist and neuroscientist named Neal Miller. He was working and studying at Yale when he discovered that rats would respond to electric signals in the brain. He would stimulate their pleasure centers and in turn conditioned the rats to control their own physiological and physical reactions such as heartbeat, anxiety and muscle tenseness. Other researchers later took this information and began applying it to patients as a way to monitor illness and stress level. They found that if certain areas were studied the patients would unconsciously make the changes they need to heart rate, breathing and stress.

What does efficacy mean?

Efficacy in relation to the medical field means that a result of a given test is deemed acceptable meaning that it does work as well as any other method currently being used to treat a patient. When it is used during a trial to study the effects it refers to the effectiveness of the given trail in comparison to real world applications.

Does biofeedback really work?

Yes, surprisingly research has proven that some biofeedback does actually work. Researchers working to help patients with drug addiction or alcohol addiction have proven that biofeedback can help the patient relax and can also help ease their cravings for the substances. There is, however, some research that has not proven conclusively that biofeedback works as well as other accepted forms of treatment on the market currently. One of these treatments is for AD/HD. Researchers are still working to prove that biofeedback actually works for AD/HD patients.

Traditional Healing in Modern Medicine

You've heard that it's takes a village to raise a child, but Dr. Mehl-Madrona believes that it often takes a community to heal someone who is ill. The indigenous ways have much to teach us. In his books and this interview he tells us stories that he's told to his patients to help in their healing process. These stories give us universal wisdom and strength.

• Discover how to use the community to help your friends and family heal
• See how to integrate contemporary medicine with traditional healing
• Learn the traditional meaning of the Four Directions
• See how you can use stories to enhance the healing process
• Discover the hidden meaning of the Native American Medicine Wheel
• Be Inspired to live in harmony with the seasons and nature
• Learn about the real meaning of “success” in healing
• Explore how to use our ancestors’ spirits in healing and story
• Find out what the benefits of ceremony can be in your life
• Learn to create your own ceremonies for daily living
• See how the Ravens Beak story relates to modern health issues

Lewis Mehl-Madrona holds an M.D. from Stanford University and has been a practicing doctor for over 20 years. An experienced healer who has led many Native American healing ceremonies, Dr. Mehl-Madrona has also headed traditional medical clinics, helping AIDS and cancer patients as well as researching the benefits of relaxation techniques to aid in the natural correction of breech positioned babies. He is currently an Associate Professor of Family Practice at the University Of Hawaii School Of Medicine. He has been studying and working in the field of Native American and indigenous healing for many years.