Migraine

Could someone please explain to me what bio-feedback actually is and how it can help migrains? What little I have read about it I cannot understand. I guess Fredrick is making me stupid er. Thanks

Bev

I'm sure someone with more information will be along soon. I have a limited understanding of biofeedback, but here goes.

Biofeedback is a type of therapy. It teaches techniques that can help a person to recognize the physical responses to stress and techniques on how to reduce stress. During biofeedback special instruments are used to help provide the feedback for stress levels.

Interesting, don't you think?

Liz

So if it is not stress that is causing the migraine then it would be useless?

quote:

Originally posted by bev:
So if it is not stress that is causing the migraine then it would be useless?

I wouldn't say useless. I tried biofeedback the end of last year, and the physical therapist taught me some methods of reducing the anxiety I get during migraine attacks. She showed me some ways to focus less on the pain and more on things like my breathing. While these techniques don't end my attacks, they do help me relax and be less anxious. It was also good for me to find out that muscle tension isn't contributing much to my migraines.

quote:

Originally posted by bev:
Could someone please explain to me what bio-feedback actually is and how it can help migrains? What little I have read about it I cannot understand. I guess Fredrick is making me stupid er. Thanks

Hi Bev!

I found a place I thought describes biofeedback its relation to headpain nicely HERE.

Basically biofeedback reduces muscle tension, can lower blood pressure and those things can indirectly affect a headache. Perhaps halting the migraine or reducing the headache.

Because lowering muscle tension and blood pressure are also related to stress, maybe that is why other posters were talking about stress. But, I don't believe biofeedback's goal is to reduce stress per say.
I believe it's function is to focus on the phyical behaviors.

In my experience, biofeedback has helped reduce my headache. I use some form of it every day. It is very relaxing and calming. I have not had it halt a migriane.

Hope this helps.

Kelly

I found in a magazine this website where you can order a CD that is supposed to teach you biofeedback. It says the cost is $10 to cover s/h. I thought maybe I would give it a try.

Website: http://www.headachecare.com/biofeedback.html

Hope this helps!

Hi, for some reason I couldn't get a new discussion started (LOL, which is giving me a stress HA!) so I'm tacking on here. Just found this site today.

Where does one go to find someone who does biofeedback? I asked my massage therapist who also does hypnosis (which I "failed" - I have a terrible time concentrating/paying attention) and she thought I'd have to try the medical college. Blah - used to work there - it's a crazy place. I actually was on the website above this morning to email about the biofeedback kit(which is how I got to googling around for headache clinics in our area and came up with zilch but found THIS great website!)
BUT... knowing my bad attention span, I think I'll need an expert to help.

I did google our area (LOL, the capital city with 7+ major hospitals so you'd THINK there'd be plenty of folks!) but nothing in the phone book or internet except someone listed who does marriage intervention or something weird - not sure how that relates to biofeedback- and lots of studies at the university.

I just use my primary care doc for HA treatment (he does a decent job) and I've tried other CAM - massage, chiro, acupunture b/c I also have neck issues that don't help. Also looking for a new mattress to help with sleep issues - gotta dump this 15 year old thing we bought when we were poor right after college!

Diane

Hi, Tucker, we're glad you found us. I'm afraid I don't know much about biofeedback, but someone else may.

To start a new thread, click New and then Discussion. If that's what you did and it didn't work, let us know. At least you figured out how to reply!

Take care, and welcome again.

Yes, I tried that to start a new one and it's not working. It works on other boards (ok at least the Hello who are you one) but not this one? At least not for me. Maybe one of you guys can try and see?
Diane

Hello Diane, fellow Virginian (is that right?) Welcome to our forum family.

To start a new topic/discussion, go to the top of the page and in the gray area above the other discussions click on the "new" tab (with the picture of the folder next to it) and then click the discussion option in the drop down menu. You can do this in the topic folder you want to start your discussion.

I tried here and it did work...

Please let us know if it works.

Diane ~ I doubt it's done the same everywhere you go, but I know that at the clinic/hospital complex that I go to, biofeedback is set up through the Physical Medicine department. This is the department here that deals with movement disorders and that kind of thing. They in turn coordinate with physical therapists that are trained in biofeedback, and refer you to the one that fits your needs. I'm sure there are practitioners around here that are independents, too. Finding them might be a bit more tricky. You might call the general info number wherever you go for routine care and ask who might be able to refer you to someone in your area. The appointment desk might know who to ask, too. You might try your general clinic or hospital info desk, or you might call the physical therapy reception and ask, too.

Diane, I did biofeedback through the physical therapy/rehab center at one of my local hospitals. I know some psychologists also provide it. Have you talked to your primary care doc about this? He/she might have a suggestion on where to go.

quote:

Originally posted by bev:
Could someone please explain to me what bio-feedback actually is and how it can help migrains? What little I have read about it I cannot understand. I guess Fredrick is making me stupid er. Thanks

Hi Bev & Fredrick,

I have seen several opinions on biofeedback, so now I would like to weigh in. I am new to the mymigraine forums but I am a psychologist, I have a BA an MA/MFT and soon EdD, all in psychology. As a psychologist I use biofeedback for myself and I refer my clients for it as well.

Biofeedback is an excellent tool for treating migraines if used properly. Biofeedback falls under the field of somatic psychology, which means it works off the mind and body interact principle. For it to work, a user must be dedicated to attending sessions and practicing techniques on their own. As we all know there are several physical and emotional interactions during a headache. Identifying these physical factors and learning to control or reduce them will affect positive emotional change (i.e. reduce depression caused by frustration, fear and anxiety over migraine attacks.) Which can't be bad for us, right?

Biofeedback teaches relaxation techniques, recoginition of prodromal symptoms and how to reduce these symptoms as they are starting. For instance say your heartrate increases, your hands get hot and your neck begins tightening up at the onset of a migraine. The goal of biofeedback would be to recognize these symptoms and teach strategies to reduce these symptoms as they start in order to minimize the severity of the headache or eliminate it altogether. The biofeedback equipment is used to teach these techniques and measure progress on the goals.

The problem is that it is time consuming and no matter how much we want to be better, we still have lives. Many of us cannot dedicate the extra 20 hours a week to this type of therapy.

Wishing you all the best!