Biofeedback uses various devices to measure physiological activities, with the intent of improving health or performance by learning to consciously control those activities. Clinical biofeedback emerged as a discipline starting in the late 1950s, as increasing numbers of technologies were developed to measure different body functions. Since that time, it has expanded dramatically.

Any number of body functions can be monitored in biofeedback. Certain biofeedback devices work best for different conditions. For example, measuring muscle tension can help with tension headaches, while neurofeedback works well for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Important examples of biofeedback devices include the following:

• Hand temperature (thermal biofeedback therapy)
• Skin conductance (electrodermal response)
• Respiratory rate and chest wall expansion
• Cardiovascular measurements, including heart rate (pulse) and heart rate variability (HRV), which are the beat-to-beat differences noted on a heart monitor
• Electroencephalography (EEG). EEG biofeedback is typically referred to as neurofeedback.
• Muscle tension (electromyelography)
• Number of steps, measured on a pedometer or other wearable device
• Body weight (even your scale is a biofeedback device of sorts)

A variety of qualified professionals can offer biofeedback, ranging from psychologists and physicians to dentists, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and social workers.

Biofeedback can improve health issues that are caused or worsened by stress. Using a two-step process, biofeedback can help you relax and reduce your stress.

1. The first step usually involves paying attention to your body signals such as heart rate, blood pressure, or tension in your muscles. You can determine your heart rate by finding your pulse and counting how many times your heart beats within a minute. Average heart rates are usually between 60 and 100 beat per minute. If you’re an athlete, it might be lower. More advanced tools such as sensors or electrodes are required to measure muscle tension or other body or brain functions.

2. The second step involves trying to alter your body signals. Once you know your heart rate or level of muscle tension, you can experiment with improving them and measure your success. Your health care provider may be able to give you suggestions on how to get started. For example, he or she might tell you to focus on taking slower, deeper breathes or imagining a calm and pleasant nature scene. This may help your body and mind relax, which can cause your heart rate to slow down.

Over time, biofeedback may help you decrease your blood pressure, lower muscle tension and pain, and improve other areas of your health. It is a simple idea, but like most things it takes some time and practice.

At first it may seem difficult or even impossible to imagine that you can affect your own blood pressure, heart rate, or other processes in your body. You have to try it to believe it!

Just like our muscles get bigger and stronger through physical training, so does our ability to control things in our bodies that once seemed out of our reach.

Biofeedback tools can make the learning process fun and enjoyable. Some tools are similar to a video game. In one example, a sensor is placed on a tight, hard to relax muscle while you look at a rose bud on the computer screen. The bud starts out closed but opens if you relax the muscle even a little bit. With practice, you will find that it gets easier to relax the muscle and make the flower bloom. Eventually, you will not need the computer program to relax your muscle.

Biofeedback is often used along with other treatments to help with a variety of physical and mental health problems.

Research shows that biofeedback is helpful for the following health issues:

• Urinary incontinence (weak bladder) in females and males
• Anxiety
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Headaches in adults
• High blood pressure
• Jaw problems

Research suggests that biofeedback also likely helps with the following issues:

• Alcohol or substance abuse
• Arthritis
• Chronic pain
• Epilepsy (seizures)
• Constipation
• Migraine headaches in children
• Trouble sleeping
• Traumatic brain injury
• Some pelvic pain in women

Biofeedback may help with many other health concerns. Ask your health care team if biofeedback can help you.

In general, biofeedback is very safe in the hands of a trained provider. If you have a mental health condition, check with your health care team to see if biofeedback is safe for you.