Some 70% of adults in the United States have endured at least one traumatic event, such as sexual abuse, witnessing a tragedy, or the sudden loss of a loved one. Once such an event occurs, it’s not uncommon to struggle with complications such as post-traumatic stress disorder. If this sounds like you, biofeedback may be just what you need to start feeling better.
At The Green Room Psychological Services Inc., we’re pleased to offer this noninvasive treatment for a range of issues, including trauma. Read on to learn more about biofeedback and how it might benefit you.
how biofeedback works
While no one knows precisely how biofeedback reduces angst, the common thread among people it helps seems to be stress. People experiencing distress end up feeling more relaxed in ways that help train the brain and body to reach and maintain greater emotional stability moving forward.
Biofeedback therapy teaches you to control certain bodily functions that are typically involuntary, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension. It does so using techniques such as electromyography, which measures muscle tension, thermal biofeedback, which measures your skin temperature, and neurofeedback, which focuses on brain activity.
During a session, your therapist attaches electrodes to your skin, which transmit messages to a monitoring box. These messages allow your provider to identify mental activity and relaxation techniques that can help you start regulating your own bodily processes in times of distress. These techniques may include:
- Deep breathing exercises
- Guided imagery
- Mindfulness meditation
- Progressive muscle relaxation
biofeedback effectiveness
Biofeedback affects people differently, but we find that many people dealing with residual effects of trauma benefit. Some research indicates that low frequency biofeedback therapy focused on brain activity can lead to significantly reduced PTSD symptoms and improved cognitive function. This may lead to beneficial shifts over time, leading to greater emotional stability even when you’re not experiencing a flare-up.
Symptoms of PTSD that may improve through biofeedback therapy include reduced nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, and depressive moods. These benefits may be more pronounced when biofeedback is paired with additional treatments, such as talk therapy and medication.
In addition to psychological trauma and PTSD, biofeedback may help a range of potentially linked issues, such as:
- Addiction
- Anxiety
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Chronic pain
- Depression
To find out if you’re a good candidate for biofeedback trauma treatment, call The Green Room Psychological Services Inc., in San Diego, California, or email us through our website. Our team of compassionate, trauma-informed experts would love to assist you in your emotional wellness journey.