Stress
is what we experience when our body systems perceive and react
to an event or situation as threatening or challenging. To our primitive
ancestors some stressors were obvious and potentially lethal. Today many
stressors may be milder, but they are often subtle and continuous like the
morning alarm, deadlines, boredom, financial concerns, rapid social and family
change.
Whatever
the stressor may be, however, it is our perceptions and attitudes about it that
determine the degree of our stress response. Imagine your reaction when on a
dark night while crossing the lawn you step on the garden hose and think that
you have stepped on a snake. Your fearful anticipation of encountering snakes
gives power to this misperception. Furthermore, the fear and panic of this event
would be paralleled by rapid physiological change. We have all experienced the
churning stomach, pounding heart, cold sweaty hands, and rapid breathing when
confronted with danger, imagined or real.
We see that the stress response is both psychological and physiological. Psychologically, stress may be experienced as anxiety or tension, depression, anger or fear, helplessness, hopelessness, or other feelings or emotions. Physiologically. stress Is experienced as a myriad of body responses. Changes in pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands create scores of potent resultant effects. The body's stress reaction Is called the fight or flight response because in the past it prepared our ancestors for fight or flight from danger. The immediacy of danger necessitated immediate and vigorous reaction. By virtue of the interaction of mind and body our perceptions and emotions to this day have the power to trigger this response. How else could a harmless garden hose create such a dramatic physiologic response?
We have inherited a mind and body that continually interact, one affecting the other. While this interaction can be consciously controlled, most of the inner body processes which comprise the stress response occur automatically and unconsciously. These assets become liabilities when stress Is chronic. Continual stress, even though mild or unconscious, produces continual physiological reaction, as nature designed. The heart beats a little too fast, blood pressure remains elevated, the stomach fails to digest properly, muscles stay tense, and breathing remains shallow. In time, a stress related illness can develop. Among these familiar psychosomatic or psychogenic illnesses are headaches, ulcers, low back pain, and hypertension. It is estimated that the majority of illnesses treated today are stress related. Illnesses, which are not caused by stress, can be aggravated by it: asthma, arthritis, diabetes, epilepsy, and even the common colds worsen when we are stressed. This is because chronic psychological and physiological stress depletes the body’s natural resources and hinders its innate ability to restore and maintain healthy functioning.
Fortunately,
we have the ability to trigger a mechanism that reverses the stress response.
This is the equally powerful relaxation response. With relaxation of mind
and body, physiological changes automatically occur. heart rate slows down,
blood pressure drops, breathing becomes calm, blood flow Increases In hands and
feet, muscles release tension, brainwaves change. The hundreds of processes
Involved In the stress response begin to return to normal functioning.
Body and mind respond equally to stress and relaxation, and with adequate amounts of each, a healthy balance will be maintained. The difficulty Is that so often the balance is weighted heavily on the side of stress. We can counter the pervasiveness of stress with techniques, which promote deep relaxation. In modem life, relaxation does not come easily. We are not taught to relax in school; we are taught to work hard. Some people even feel guilty when they relax. Tranquilizers and mood‑changing drugs enable physicians and psychiatrists to help their patients deal with stress. Such treatments, however, may produce drug dependency or harmful side effects while the need for the development of personal coping skills, self-relaxation and self-regulation may go unrecognized.
Relaxation is a skill and like all skills, learning to relax necessitates good Instruction practice. One method of Instruction and practice, which facilitates relaxation and self-regulation of mental and physical processes is called BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING.
WHAT
IS BIOFEEDBACK?
Biofeedback
is a non-invasive adjunct to traditional medical care. Biofeedback is a
treatment technique in which you are trained to improve your health by using
signals from your own body. These internal signals from the body are amplified
by the feedback instrument and converted into useful information, which is
"fed back" to you, to teach relaxation skills. The goal of Biofeedback
is to teach you self-regulation skills (the ability to control your body's
reactions to stress) that can last a lifetime.
The
key elements of Biofeedback training that make self-regulation possible are
mind/body interaction, feedback of information, increased awareness and
practice. Deep relaxation skills play a vital role in promoting health and are
utilized in the treatment and prevention of many disorders. (Listed
here)
Chances
are you have already used Biofeedback. You've used it if you have ever taken
your temperature or stepped on a scale. The thermometer tells you if you are
running a fever, the scale tells you if you have gained weight. Both devices
"feed back" information about your body's condition. Clinicians rely
on Biofeedback instruments in a similar way. Biofeedback instruments can detect
your body's internal response to stress with great precision and sensitivity.
Given this information, you can learn to improve your health.
The
Biofeedback instrument acts as a kind of sixth sense, which allows you to
"see" and "hear" your stress level on a computer monitor and
speaker system. Your goal is to lower your stress level by utilizing the
two-step process described below.
1. EDUCATIONAL AND EVALUATIVE COMPONENT:
You are
educated about the link between stress and illness and how Biofeedback can work
for you. The Biofeedback clinician evaluates your ability to control thoughts
and behavior then designs a course of treatment.
2.
CLINICIAN AS COACH AND TRAINER:
The
clinician interprets the Biofeedback data, then trains you to utilize that data
to monitor your progress. The clinician acts as a coach, standing at the
sidelines, setting goals and limits on what you should expect and gives hints on
how to improve your performance.
SERVICES
OFFERED
MUSCLE
TENSION FEEDBACK: Performed with an
electromyograph (EMG). These technique measures the electrical activity of
skeletal muscles monitored with sensors placed on the skin over appropriate
muscles.
THERMAL
(BLOOD FLOW) FEEDBACK: Thermal feedback
instruments measure blood flow in the skin.
ELECTRODERMAL
FEEDBACK: The electrodermal response (EDR)
feedback instrument measures skin conductivity from the fingers and palms.
NEUROFEEDBACK:
Performed with an electroencephalogram (EEG). This instrument provides patients
with information about their brain wave characteristics. Through EEG Biofeedback
training, patients learn how to change the amplitude of their brainwaves. EEG
Biofeedback is successfully used for ADD, ADHD, chronic pain, anxiety and more.
STRESS
MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES: Progressive Muscle
Relaxation, Autogenics, Diaphragmatic Breathing and Guided Imagery for
individual or group environments.
All
sessions include Biofeedback Instrumentation with Diaphragmatic Breathing and
goal setting. Some sessions may also include Progressive Muscle Relaxation
and/or Autogenics exercises and a Relaxation Tape for home practice. All
sessions last approximately 45 minutes.
WHAT
MAKES BIOFEEDBACK UNIQUE?
Among
self-regulation techniques, Biofeedback training is unique because it teaches
you how to control the way your body responds to stress and also allows you to
monitor your progress both visually and audibly. You start to see results
quickly, which provides you with the motivation to reach your goals.
FAQ
1.
Who
is a Biofeedback Therapist?
Biofeedback
therapists are health professionals who use biofeedback training in their work
with clients. Many psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, and
physical therapists have been trained in the clinical use of biofeedback. Health
care workers who do not have a professional degree may be trained and work under
the supervision of a licensed practitioner. In addition, the Biofeedback
Certification Institute of America certifies biofeedback therapists on the basis
of an examination, and education/training requirements.
Like other practitioners, biofeedback therapists have differing therapy styles
and professional experience. Biofeedback therapists will all have a basic
knowledge of the psychophysiology of stress, mind/body interaction, symptom
formation, and of the biofeedback modalities used In treatment. In addition, the
therapist will know a variety of techniques, which facilitate treatment.
2. If I am interested in receiving
biofeedback training,
how do I proceed?
Begin
by contacting your personal physician for a referral for biofeedback
training. Next contact the Stress Management Biofeedback Institute as
(323) 939-4248 to set up an appointment with a biofeedback therapist. Or
email us at smbi@usa.net
3. How long will treatment last, and how
much will it cost?
The length of biofeedback training depends upon the nature and severity of the Symptom being treated and on the motivation of the client. Therapists find that tension and migraine headache and gastrointestinal disorders can respond quickly to training while significant reduction of chronic pain and other severe symptoms may take longer. Because relaxation and stress management are learned skills which are practiced with continued improvement, treatment sessions can often be reduced before complete elimination of the symptom. Periodic follow up sessions may be recommended to Insure that training and symptom reduction are maintained.
The
cost of biofeedback training varies with clinic and therapist, and is comparable
to similar professional services. Biofeedback therapy is covered by certain
health Insurance policies although the amount of coverage varies. It is wise to
check with your insurance company before starting a treatment program to learn
the limits and conditions of your own policy. For more information contact SMBI
at (323) 939-4248 or email us at smbi@usa.net
If
a medical Condition is being treated you will
continue medical treatment and will continue to consult with your physician.
The biofeedback therapist will report
progress to the physician with your permission.
If
you are self referred and medical records are not available, the therapist may
ask you to have a medical examination prior to biofeedback training to assure
proper diagnosis.
Steven
Krentzman, BCB, Senior Fellow, C. Ht., has been involved in the Health and Wellness industry for the
past twenty-three years as a Certified Stress Management Consultant, Board Certified
Biofeedback Clinician, Fitness Instructor
and Clinical Hypnotherapist. His clients have included the Los
Angeles Police Department, First Interstate Bank and numerous hospitals
including Friendly Hills, Cigna, Brotman, Orange County Community
and Good Samaritan. Mr.
Krentzman founded the Stress Management Biofeedback Institute (SMBI) in
1985 for the sole purpose of training people to integrate the mind and body to
promote emotional and physical healing and well-being.
For
additional information contact our office at
(323) 939-4248