Treatment of Chronic Pain Syndrome
Chronic pain biofeedback is an alternative medical therapy approach in order to help mitigate pain. Learn more here.
The information presented on this page is an overview of the average evaluation of chronic pain and is offered here as a resource. At J. Flowers Health Institute, our evaluations and treatment plans are customized and tailored to each individual’s needs. We specialize in providing a comprehensive team approach to your care. Our evaluations may include neuropsychological and medical testing, brain mapping, and a chronic pain assessment for help diagnosing your symptoms to provide the holistic care you deserve.
If you would like to learn more about J. Flowers Health Institute, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Table of Contents
Biofeedback for pain is an alternative medicine approach that teaches you how to change the way your body functions. Biofeedback techniques are mind-body approaches that can help you improve your physical and emotional health, and also can help with various conditions, including high blood pressure, migraine, tension headaches, mental health conditions, breathing problems, digestive issues, and urinary incontinence. Biofeedback therapy is also an effective chronic pain syndrome treatment.3
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What is Chronic Pain Syndrome?
Symptoms of chronic pain syndrome can persist for months or even years after the illness or injury that first triggered symptoms. Data provided by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health suggests chronic pain conditions affect nearly twenty-five million Americans.1
Impact of Chronic Pain
What is Biofeedback Therapy?
Common Types of Biofeedback Therapy
- Brain Waves: This is biofeedback that uses sensors, which are placed on the scalp to monitor your brain waves.Â
- Breathing: This is also called respiratory biofeedback and uses bands placed around the chest and abdomen to monitor respiratory rate and breathing patterns.Â
- Heart Rate: Heart rate biofeedback uses sensors on the fingers and earlobes to detect blood volume changes. Other types of heart rate biofeedback use electrocardiograph (ECG) sensors placed on the chest, torso, or wrists to measure heart rate patterns.Â
- Muscle Contraction: This form of biofeedback uses sensors placed over the skeletal muscles to monitor the electrical activity that causes muscle contractions.Â
- Sweat Gland: Sweat gland activity biofeedback uses sensors placed on the fingers, palms, or wrist to measure the activity of your sweat glands and the amount of perspiration (sweat) on your skin, which can alert you to increased anxiety levels.
- Temperature: During temperature biofeedback sessions, sensors placed on the fingers or feet measure the blood flow to your skin. A low reading may indicate elevated stress and encourage engaging in relaxation techniques.
Does Biofeedback Really Work?
Biofeedback techniques are not new. Since its first use in the 1960s, biofeedback has grown in use as a complementary alternative for a wide range of medical and mental health conditions. Evidence suggests biofeedback tools are highly effective in reducing pain and symptoms related to several conditions, including headache, hypertension, and chronic pain.5
How Biofeedback Helps in Chronic Pain Treatment
Biofeedback Measurements
- Heart rate
- Breathing
- Brain waves
- Body temperature
- Muscle contractionsÂ
- Sweat gland activity
Biofeedback Therapy Approaches and Machines
- Rheoencephalography (REG): A machine that measures blood flow to your brain.
- Hemoencephalography (HEG): A tool that measures oxygen and blood flow to the front of your brain.6
- Electroencephalogram (EEG): A machine used to measure brain waves.
- Electrocardiograms (ECG): A machine that measures and records electrical activity in your heart.
- Electromyogram (EMG): A tool that measures muscle activity and tension.
- Galvanic Skin Response Training: A biofeedback technique used to measure changes in sweat gland activity.
Relaxation Techniques
Chronic Pain Symptoms Relief with Biofeedback Therapy
Migraine and Headaches
Back Pain
Fibromyalgia Pain
Risks and Benefits of Using Biofeedback for Chronic Pain
Biofeedback and Healing at J. Flowers Health Institute
Resources
- https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chronic-pain-in-depth
- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db390.htm
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265802
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/biofeedback/about/pac-20384664
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6854143/
- https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1979-31485-001
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25670026/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27307013/
- https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2013/962741/