Biofeedback is a technique that involves using visual or auditory feedback to gain control over involuntary bodily functions. This may include gaining voluntary control over such things as heart rate, muscle tension, blood flow, pain perception and blood pressure.
Biofeedback can be used for a range of applications, including:
- Treating tension headaches, migraines and other pain
- Controlling high and low blood pressure
- Alleviating digestive disorders
- Helping patients control physical reactions to stress or anxiety
In psychology, therapists might use biofeedback to help patients control their response to stress. Chronic stress can have a wide range of negative health effects including decreased immunity, heart disease, depression, digestive problems and sleep disorders. By learning how to manage the stress response using biofeedback, patients are able to decrease the harmful physical and psychological effects of stress.
More Psychology Definitions: The Psychology Dictionary
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