What is Biofeedback?

Biofeedback refers to methods for measuring real-time, physiological feedback (including heart rate, muscle tension [EMG], respiration, body temperature, skin conductance) which is used to help you learn techniques to regulate your body’s stress response. The aim of the type of biofeedback that I do is to improve the functioning of the Autonomic Nervous System (check out my Writing page if you want more information) which, in turn, helps stress recovery.

Who is a Good Fit & What Does Biofeedback Treatment Look Like?

Individuals who struggle with certain stress-related mental and medical symptoms are likely to benefit from biofeedback treatment. This includes but is not limited to: anxiety, general stress, attacks, headaches (specifically migraine and tension headaches), stress-related medical problems and functional gastrointestinal disorders (e.g. Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS).

Biofeedback also tends to be a good fit for individuals who appreciate a data-driven approach to treatment and are ready to adopt daily relaxation practices.

What is Mindfulness-Based Biofeedback?

Mindfulness-Based Biofeedback is an intervention that integrates bottom-up, somatic physiological regulation strategies with top-down, evidenced-based mindfulness interventions. Put simply, we need a regulated body to have a quieter mind; however, the body can’t compete with the powerful mental forces of rumination, disconnection from the body and emotional suppression. Therefore, I incorporate mindfulness- and compassion-based work to address all of the core factors within our control that maintain chronic stress.

I regularly present, write and train other professionals on how to deliver Mindfulness-Based Biofeedback. Here’s an example of a talk I gave about how body awareness, or interoception, relates to mental health and how we can use it to recover from stress: