Biofeedback: Healing from the inside out
by Jeffrey R. Cram, Ph.D.
We live in a fast paced society. And sometimes the pressures of our families, our jobs, our friends lead us to override the naturally occurring feedback from our bodies. We work too long or too hard. We play too much or maybe not enough. We eat too much, drink too much, sleep too much or too little. And when we ignore the signals of our bodies for too long, the body begins to lose some of its bandwidth and we get stuck. Our dynamic range begins to shrink, as we begin to lose our ability to ebb and flow with life’s events. Eventually, the body speaks back through physical or emotional symptoms or illnesses.
As the body gets stuck, it may speak to us through the language of pain. Pains in the head, neck, shoulder or upper extremities may occur for many reasons. One major reason is the lessening in the range of movement associated with our varied life experience. We now sit at desks or computer work stations or perform the same movements over and over again. On top of this are the subtle pressures of our work or life space that unconsciously activate our muscles. I am referring to the emotional stress of our environment which evokes non-verbal defenses such raising our shoulders up (towards our ears), or our eyebrows furrowing together, forming the number “11” between our eyebrows for all to see, except ourselves. Once activated through work and emotions, it is not uncommon for these muscles to be unconsciously left activated for long periods of time, which causes them to ache. Even a simple movement, such as a reach to click your computer’s mouse may leave your forearm and shoulder activated, long after the click was done. Such lingerings can lead to problems such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI), Computer Related Disorders (CRD) or Work Related Muscular Disorders (WRMS).
Biofeedback uses physiologic monitoring equipment which displays information about the body which is very easy to understand. It offers us the ability to see and hear what our bodies and emotions are trying to tell us. It allows us the ability to become aware of how our bodies are behaving, to see what is beyond our normal awareness. It is sort of like a body mirror which allows you to see what is going on underneath the skin. You can see what your muscles are doing or how the moisture in the palms of your hands vary on a moment to moment basis. You can see how the blood flow in your skin is controlled by your sympathetic nervous system. You can see your breath rhythm, along with those of your heart. And you can see and hear what your brain is actually doing. You can see how your physical and emotional pain is affecting your body or how your body is creating your pain.
A common entry point for biofeedback is through monitoring the breath and heart. Here, we would place a monitoring belt around your belly to measure your breath, and some sensors on the back of your hands to measure your heart. When the brain is not controlling the rhythm of the heart, the heart joins the ebb and flow of the lungs and naturally speeds and slows with each and every breath. This very natural rhythm of the heart may be seen on our biofeedback systems. However, when we are stressed out, the fight, flight or freeze centers of our brain take over, and the beat of the heart speeds up and it loses this natural variability. As it turns out, people who can readily return variability back to their heart rate tend to live longer and healthier lives. For example, heart rate variability (HRV) tends to disappear in patients with chronic diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Asthma. In countries which cannot afford the high costs of pharmaceutical agents, these conditions are commonly treated by teaching patients to breathe slowly and rhythmically at approximately 6 breaths a minute. Through this teaching, they restore the HRV and the symptoms are reduced or go away. Teaching HRV is greatly enhanced through the use of biofeedback instrumentation. Why? Because we are usually not consciously aware of the rhythms of our heart and breath.
Not only our bodies, but our brains may run amuck as well. Children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) have brains which are stuck in slow gear (down in the theta state). In order to overcome the drowsiness associated with this brain state, these children use movement to awaken their brains. The rate of this movement appears excessive to us, and their tendency to have lapses in their attention drives their teachers crazy. Medically these kids are offered stimulants such as Ritalin to pharmaceutically speed up their brains. Biofeedback offers an alternative to medications. There are two methods to help these kids learn to speed up their brains on their own, without medications. One is called the “interactive metronome”, where we teach them through rhythmic movement to speed up their brain and focus their attention. The other is called “neurofeedback” or brainwave biofeedback, in which brain rhythms are actually monitored and the child is taught strategies on how to speed them up. Clinical outcome studies have proven these techniques to be as effective as psychostimulant medications.
Biofeedback technology provides a platform to treat a variety of pain conditions, chronic medical conditions, and emotional disorders. It is usually offered within the context of a body oriented psychotherapy. The goal is to make the unconscious activation of the body conscious. With this increased awareness there is some coaching on how to better control it, along with some counseling on what it all means, how to manage it or better yet, how to prevent it all together.
Jeffrey R. Cram, Ph.D. is a holistic psychologist with a private practice in Nevada City. In his practice he guides the patient into the present moment using psychotherapy, flower essences, biofeedback and music therapy. He may be reached at 478- 9660.
