BIOFEEDBACK:
How Training Occurs
Willowbrook Psychological Associates offer computerized biofeedback
for muscle tension headaches, migraine headaches, pain disorders, bruxism,
essential hypertension, hyperactivity, excessive sweating, anxiety and
stress related disorders. In biofeedback training, instruments provide
a person with immediate information about his or her biological condition.
The individual learns to alter physiological processes while in a relaxed
state. Muscle tension can be measured and fed back by the EMG (electromyograph)
machine. Before EMG training, a person usually cannot detect increasing
muscle tension until it reaches a painful threshold (e.g., a tension
headache). As a person learns relaxation skills and practices these
skills, he or she is able to control muscle tension before it becomes
a source of pain.
Skin temperature is another measurement that is often used in biofeedback
training. During periods of stress or tension, blood leaves the hands
and feet and goes to the vital organs. Changes in blood flow and skin
temperature may be related to migraine headaches as well as painfully
cold extremities.
Our computerized biofeedback laboratory is equipped to help with many
problems and offers biofeedback for muscle tension, skin temperature,
electrodermal responses (excessive sweating), blood pressure and pulse
rate. Some referrals for biofeedback may require consultation with a
physician prior to treatment, to rule out a physical cause.
BIOFEEDBACK
AND CHILDREN
Children can benefit from biofeedback training as they tune-in to their
own bodies and learn about self-control of muscle tension, blood flow
and relaxation. A child is selected for biofeedback on the basis of
certain behaviors and symptoms. Hyperactivity, extreme muscle tension
when angry or competing, test anxiety, phobias, low self-confidence,
and physical conditions such as tension or migraine headaches, asthma,
or chronic pain may be helped by using biofeedback in combination with
good psychological and medical care.
To help motivate a child, games may be created using different types
of feedback. The child may play a game of controlling muscle tension
by controlling the "motorcycle sound" or speeding up and slowing down
the "speedometer". The child may be asked to drive through a fast food
restaurant and place an order by stopping (relaxation) and starting
(tension) the sounds. The child may also be asked to follow the route
of a toy car on a plastic road map, or paddle a canoe down an African
river. Tasks may require relaxing deeply until all obstacles have been
cleared. For example, "driving through a school zone" would require
slowing down to a speed of 20 m.p.h. which the child would see by the
meter on the biofeedback instrument. A complete stop such as at a stop
sign or traffic light may require maintaining relaxation for 15" or
30".
Some computerized games are also available, and we occasionally use
electric trains or compuer games to help children learn to control their
own level of relaxation. If too much tension is produced the train stops
or the video game turns off. When the child has relaxed again then the
train starts or the video game comes back on. It is great fun to watch
a child playing these games while relaxed and calm.
Most children can learn techniques for relaxation and self-control.
Like adults, these skills need to be developed with regular home practice.
In addition, we'll help teach the child to use the techniques in stressful
situations, such as at home or in school. Only when the self-control
can be used in real life do we feel the training is complete.
Stress Management
Associates
Willowbrook Psychological Associates, PC relax@stresscontrol.com
10609-B Grant Rd.
Houston, Texas 77070
281-890-8575
281-469-6976 Fax
