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Biofeedback & Guided Imagery
Biofeedback is a technique that helps a person become more aware of (and learn to deal with) the body's response to pain. This alternative therapy emphasizes relaxation and stress-reduction techniques.
Guided imagery is a relaxation technique that some professionals who use biofeedback do. With guided imagery, a person thinks of peaceful mental images, such as ocean waves. A person may also include the images of controlling or curing a chronic disease, such as diabetes. People using this technique believe their condition can be eased with these positive images. adapted from NIH Publication No. 99-4552
Biofeedback
Biofeedback teaches a person how to modify and manage the body's vital functions by learning how to consciously regulate normally unconscious body functions. Biofeedback has been used to help in reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, eliminating headaches, treatment of urinary incontinence and relieving pain.Biofeedback training is usually combined with other therapeutic therapies to help in achieving the desired results. Biofeedback uses measuring devices to help you become aware of your body's functioning.
An example of biofeedback training for tension headaches, as explained in "The Interstitial Cystitis Survival Guide by Dr. Robert Moldwin,
"Tension headaches are caused by the spasm of muscles located on the front and side of the head and jaw. Electrodes (similar to those used for EKGs) are placed on the skin overlaying these muscles. Muscle contraction creates electrical activity that is picked up by the electrodes just as an EKG picks up the heartbeat. The more intense the muscle contraction, the more electrical energy is created. Then, the information regarding the intensity of the muscle contraction is "fed back" to the patient."
The feedback information could come in the form as a beeping light or an audible beep or sound. By receiving this information the patient can learn to control their muscle contractions. Biofeedback is a learned technique. The more you practice the better the outcome!!
Urology patients often use biofeedback as they learn to relax their pelvic floor muscles. A small device is placed in the vagina or rectum which creates a sound as the muscle contracts. Through practice, the patient can learn to relax those muscles. It has been very useful for many.
Research Studies
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Bladder-sphincter biofeedback as treatment of detrusor instability in
women who failed to respond to oxybutynin.
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Biofeedback, pelvic floor re-education, and bladder training for male
chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
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[Pelvic floor exercise and biofeedback in women with urinary stress
incontinence].
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Conservative management for urinary incontinence.
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A self-directed home biofeedback system for women with symptoms of stress,
urge, and mixed incontinence
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Biofeedback in overactive bladder.
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Behavioral vs drug treatment for urge urinary incontinence in older
women: a randomized controlled trial.
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Biofeedback for community-dwelling individuals with urinary incontinence.
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New developments in rehabilitation of neuropathic pain syndromes.
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Psychological pain therapy]
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Self-care strategies used for acute attack of interstitial cystitis.
Guided Imagery
Guided imagery has been used for centuries as a treatment option for stress management and pain reduction. It can be help a patient control pain, stress and encourage healing, physically and mentally. It is easy, effective and can be done in a wide variety of situations, such as sitting in a doctor's office waiting for an appointment.
Many tapes are available that offer wonderful guided imagery sessions. We recommend the tapes by Potentials Unlimited! But, if you don't have a tape, you can do it easily on your own. Here's a quick and easy plan!
#1. Sit comfortably and give yourself permission to rest and relax for a moment. Don't try. Just let go. Breath smoothly and rhythmically.
#2. Close your eyes and select a place in your imaging that is quiet, peaceful and tranquil. Sitting on a beach or by a lake is a favorite!
#3. Go there in your imagination and soak in the feelings. Are you laying in the sun? Feel the heat as it moves through your body. Listen to the sounds around you. Do you hear seagulls or the wind going through palm trees. Hear the sound of crashing waves and the laughter of children far down the beach. Stay for as long as you'd like.
#4. When ready, slowly count to "3" and tell yourself that when you open your eyes you will feel relaxed and awake.
#5. Sit quietly for a few minutes before getting up!
To learn more about Guided Imagery, please see: Holistic Online-Guided Imagery
This section of the ICN Patient Handbook is intended to be an informational tool only. Because this chapter discusses alternative methods, they may not have been approved or investigated by any regulatory or government agency. The content is not to be intended in any way to be a substitute for professional medical advise. Always seek the advise of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding this section of the ICN Patient Handbook.
The ICN follows the HonCode: Health Code of Conduct for Medical Web Sites. As such, we do not and cannot recommend any books or materials which offer herbal strategies, yet offer no research supporting those claims