WHAT IS BIOFEEDBACK?

Biofeedback is a psychophysiological monitoring technique where sensors are attached to your body and the signals produced are sent and then displayed in real time on a computer monitor. You can observe these signals and can influence a change as respiration and subsequently heart rate start to respond harmoniously in a "deep relaxation response".

This information provides feedback both to you, and the practitioner, of your progress.

The functions monitored at Mind Body Solutions are heart (EKG), breathing rate (RESP) and skin conductance (GSR). Other functions that can be monitored by biofeedback are brain wave patterns (EEG), skin temperature (Temp) and muscle tension (EMG).

Click here to view Biofeedback Research Results

HOW CAN BIOFEEDBACK HELP ME?

Biofeedback teaches you how to influence these monitored functions by using a special breathing technique. Once learnt, the technique can be practised twice a day for ten minutes. With daily practise your heart rate variability (HRV) can be increased.

HRV is the difference in milliseconds between each heart beat. Greater HRV enhances the balance in the ongoing sympathetic and parasympathetic influence on the heart.

This has proven benefit on reducing excessive stress and has a significant benefit for cardiac health (refer links below).

Other conditions that can be helped with biofeedback are;

Anxiety, Back ache, Blushing, Clammy hands, Depression, Headaches, High Blood Pressure, Migraines, Phobias, Pain, Sleep problems, Stammering, Stress, addictive substance abuse and tension headaches.

A useful link for more comprehensive information on biofeedback is Health World Online: http://www.healthy.net/scr/Article.asp?Id=451&xcntr=1

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A BIOFEEDBACK SESSION?

After your personal details are recorded and the benefits of biofeedback are discussed, the monitoring sensors are attached to your body.

During the first session, a stress response assessment is conducted. This is easy and gives an indication of how you respond to stress and how quickly you recover. (This assessment will also be run at a subsequent session to illustrate your progress with the training).

You then begin practicing the breathing technique which is the basis of the training. Breathing practice will bring a deep and profound relaxation response.

Learning to maintain correct breathing, whilst being monitored, is the basis of follow up sessions. The beneficial effects of this technique on your physiology will be realised almost immediately but with each session there is a cumulative benefit.

As you practice the breathing technique twice a day for ten minutes it will produce a sustainable calming effect.

HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?

This will depend upon the problem and your rate of progress.

Typically 6-8 45 minute sessions will be sufficient for you to develop sustainable skills in reducing stress related symptoms.

Note: It does take time to learn the breathing technique and to increase the positive benefits from increased Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Please allow an hour for session one.

SESSION FEE
Session fee $65

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Sessions are conducted each Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm at the TOK H Corporate Centre, L1/459 Toorak Rd Toorak. CALL John Coates: 0402 309 534

Some of the many links to recent research and studies on the benefits of increasing HRV with Biofeedback.

SEE BIOFEEDBACK DEMONSTRATED

From time to time we will be demonstrating biofeedback in public forums and seminars, so if you are interested in seeing it in operation please send us your e-mail address and we will keep you informed. Contact us: www.mindbodysolutions.com.au