Biofeedback is a type of therapy that is administered at various health facilities including medical centers, hospitals and physical therapy clinics. During biofeedback, patients are trained to use their mind to control body functions, such as muscle tension and heart rate. Health experts generally recommend that patients seek treatment with a licensed biofeedback therapist or healthcare professional with experience in using biofeedback.

Biofeedback may be used to reduce stress and alleviate anxiety, insomniainsomnia and depression. However, it appears to be most useful in treating physical health problems including hypertension (high blood pressure), headaches and arthritis (inflammation of the joints). Biofeedback was developed during the last half-century.

A number of techniques can be used to teach biofeedback, depending on the patient’s health and/or emotional problems and treatment goals. During biofeedback training, sensors are placed on the patient’s body. The patient is given auditory or visual cues to indicate body functions (e.g., tense muscles). The patient then learns to associate these functions with symptoms (e.g., anxiety, pain) and learns to control the functions (e.g., relax the muscles) to ease the symptoms. Eventually, the patient learns to do this without help from a therapist.

Biofeedback puts patients in control of their own treatment and may decrease medical costs by reducing their need for medication. For most patients, biofeedback therapy is safe. However, patients should consult their physician to determine if biofeedback is appropriate for them.