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Biofeedback at Windber Medical Center

What is Biofeedback?

A publication of the National Institute of Mental Health defines Biofeedback as “a treatment technique in which people are trained to improve their health by using signals from their own bodies.” In fact, a Biofeedback instrument works much like a mirror that allows users to “see” and “hear” activities in their bodies by reflecting such things as muscle activity, skin temperature, heart rate variability, and brain waves.

It would be very difficult to learn to drive a car if you were unable to see where your steering took you. It would be just as difficult to learn how to play a musical instrument if your were unable to hear the sounds your were producing. Seeing and hearing are ways of receiving “feedback.” This feedback helps us to do things that would otherwise be extremely difficult or impossible. Bio-feedback, that is, feedback about what your body is doing, allows you to learn to control many of your body's internal functions.

Biofeedback Instruments

Like a mirror, a Biofeedback instrument does nothing to the person looking into it. It simply provides a reflection. Nothing is inserted, injected, or administered. The instruments use very sensitive receptors to pick up and reflect physiological activity. The process is no more difficult that having a blood pressure or temperature taken.

Uses of Biofeedback

Biofeedback can be used in training people to manage various physical problems. People can learn to reduce headaches, manage chronic pain, lower blood pressure, and increase blood flow to hands and feet.

Currently, Windber Medical Center uses a form of Biofeedback that measures heart-rate variability. This type of biofeedback helps individuals to learn general skills for physiological relaxation. When the body relaxes, muscle tension eases, breathing becomes more regular, blood pressure comes down, and more blood flows to hands and feet. Learning to relax the body also helps people to reduce stress and manage anxiety.

Who should try Biofeedback?

People considering Biofeedback should discuss it with a Primary Care Physician or other Healthcare Professional. In most cases, a thorough physical examination should be done first in order to determine if some other form of treatment might be necessary.

How can I learn more about Biofeedback at Windber Medical Center?

For additional information, contact Dr. James Vizza.

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For More Information:

Institute of Integrative Medicine
Windber Medical Center
600 Somerset Avenue,
Windber PA 15963

• Jeanne Brinker RN, BSN, Director of Institute of Integrative Medicine Tel: (814) 467-3000 or E-mail: jbrinke@conemaugh.org
• Dr. James Vizza (814) 467-3613 or E-mail: jvizza@conemaugh.org
 

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