Dr. Jeff kehoe on Biofeedback

What Is Biofeedback?

Biofeedback is a great tool to help rewire the brain to break free from conditioned behavioral responses and adopt new, healthier habits. With practice, this is effective with many conditions and especially helpful with anxiety, high blood pressure, and chronic pain.

According to the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) website:

“Biofeedback is a process that enables an individual to learn how to change physiological activity for the purposes of improving health and performance. Precise instruments measure physiological activity… and rapidly and accurately ‘feed back’ information to the user. The presentation of this information, often in conjunction with changes in thinking, emotions, and behavior, supports desired physiological changes. Over time, these changes can endure without continued use of an instrument.”

These strategies include more common and accessible therapies such as mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. Practitioner-provided tools include technology to monitor heart rate variability, functional breathing, and temperature changes. 

Areas of Influence

Research shows the most efficacious results with biofeedback are with the following disorders:

• Anxiety

• Chronic Pain

• Headaches (migraine, tension)

• Hypertension

• Raynaud’s Disease

• TMJ

In addition, there is some evidence that this could be helpful with other conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, IBS, and insomnia. More research is needed for chronic lung disease, fibromyalgia, depressive disorders, and PTSD. However, preliminary findings suggest biofeedback can be helpful for these conditions as well.  

What to Expect

Consistency and at-home practice are critical to the process. Initially, we recommend 6-8 weekly hour-long sessions. The first meeting allows for a detailed history on the presenting area of concern as well as answering any questions related to biofeedback. From there, we will commit to a plan that feels safe and move forward one session at a time together. Research shows that practice of 20 minutes twice daily is most effective.   

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To get a consult and treatment plan for this, please schedule w/ Dr. Jeff as an ND New Patient Visit!

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1.  Khazan, Ph.D, Inna Z. The Clinical Handbook of Biofeedback: A Step-by-Step Guide for Training and Practice with Mindfulness. West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell (2013).

2.  Yucha, C. and Montgomery, D. Evidence-Based Practice in Biofeedback and Neurofeedback. Wheat Ridge, CO: AAPB (2008).

3.  Martin, Sara. “The Power of the Relaxation Response.” American Psychological Association. (2008). Volume 39(9).