Advanced Biofeedback Center

There have been studies published to suggest that 50% to 80% of visits to the family doctor are for reasons that are actually psychosocial in nature. This means that behavioral, mood, and relationship issues may be the real explanation for your problems, although these issues may appear to be medical.

As an example, think about patients with chronic headache --- especially those who have received extensive medical diagnostic testing with negative results (meaning "nothing was found" or "nothing is wrong") --- may be actually helped best with cognitive and behavioral changes more so than with medications or surgery. (Of course, always consult with your family physician, internal medicine specialist, neurologist, or other doctor to assure you that there are no emerging medical problems.) If all of the medical issues have been ruled out --- and especially if all of the medical treatments have not been effective --- then ask your doctor if a course of stress management using traditional psychotherapy, relaxation training, and biofeedback may help you.

You may be interested in knowing that many headache treatment facilities suggest EMG, skin surface temperature, and other biofeedback modalities as regular adjuncts to medical treatments. Although "on the surface" attendance at weekly biofeedback sessions seems like a costly, time-consuming activity, in the long-term behavioral and cognitive changes that occur as a result of biofeedback therapy tend to be relatively permanent, allowing for the reduction --- and sometimes discontinuance --- of medication use. Savings in terms of less or no medication use often offsets the cost of biofeedback therapy.

For patients or parents of children and adolescents who do not wish to use medications to treat depression, anxiety, ADD, chronic pain, or other conditions, different biofeedback modalities are a good alternative approach. The obvious benefit is avoiding the harmful side effects of some medications. (Some medications are absolutely necessary, and you should never stop your own medications or those of your children without first conferring with the prescribing physician. And also note that some medical conditions cannot be treated without surgery or medication. Only you and your doctor can determine the advantages and disadvantages of certain medication use.)