Biofeedback

What Happens During a Biofeedback Session?

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A first session starts with a conversation about your symptoms and history, then the practitioner attaches sensors, and you watch or listen as your body’s signals appear in real time while you practice changing them. At the end, the practitioner reviews your progress and gives you exercises for home. Harvard Health describes biofeedback as generally safe, and the number of sessions varies from person to person.

What happens before the sensors go on?

A conversation. According to Harvard Health Publishing, the practitioner will ask about your symptoms and expectations, your medical history, your current medications and any treatment you tried before. You will talk about the results you hope for and the results you can expect, and you will be introduced to the equipment.

If your doctor referred you, the practitioner will contact them for information about your health problems before you start. If you are going on your own, Harvard Health suggests calling your doctor first.

How are the sensors attached?

It depends on what is being measured. For muscle biofeedback, sensors may go on the muscles of your head, neck and jaw; for temperature biofeedback, on your fingertips or toes. Surface sensors sit on the skin, and the Wikipedia article on biofeedback notes that the skin is normally shaved, cleaned and exfoliated beforehand to get the best signal.

Surface sensors are not the only option. The same article notes that, to record from deeper muscles, clinicians may insert wires or needles into the muscle. If needles would worry you, ask before the session which kind of sensor will be used.

What do you see and hear?

The equipment turns your body’s changes into a signal: a tone, a flashing light or a changing pattern on a screen. Your task is to change that signal. With the practitioner’s help, you try different approaches, such as breathing more slowly or relaxing a particular muscle, and notice which ones move the signal the way you want.

How does a session end?

With a plan. Harvard Health says that at the end of each session, the practitioner reviews your progress and sets out a practice schedule for you to follow at home, and that consistent practice helps you remember and reinforce what you learned.

How many sessions will you need?

There is no fixed number. Harvard Health says the number varies, and the Wikipedia article notes that the length of individual sessions, the length of the whole program and the use of home exercises all vary between programs. Ask your practitioner for an estimate at the first visit, and what progress they would expect to see by the halfway point.

Is it safe?

Harvard Health calls biofeedback a generally safe form of therapy. It also notes that no state laws regulate the training of biofeedback practitioners, and that many practitioners voluntarily obtain a certificate from the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance. Before you begin, Harvard Health, citing the FDA, suggests checking the practitioner’s credentials, experience and certification, the cost, and whether your insurance covers it.

If the sessions are not helping

Tell your doctor. Harvard Health advises that if your doctor referred you and the sessions do not relieve your symptoms, your doctor may suggest another treatment or reconsider the original diagnosis. Keep your doctor involved throughout, and make any change to your treatment plan together with them.

This article is general information, not medical or psychological advice; talk with a licensed clinician about your own situation.

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