Peripheral Biofeedback

Peripheral Biofeedback aims to improve self-regulation of the autonomic nervous system.

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     In my practice I use two forms of peripheral biofeedback to improve regulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).  The ANS involves those functions we are unaware of (pulse, blood pressure, breathing, etc., but which can become poorly regulated for a variety of reasons.  The poor regulation can lead to feelings of chronic anxiety, worsening of stress related health conditions – like hypertension or asthma or diabetes or pain -- and contribute to feeling ill at ease or tense.  It can also reduce cognitive performance, and impair function at work, school, in family, and in sports or other performance arenas.

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     HRV (Heart Rate Variability) training is used to improve the quality of breathing in relation to the heart rate.  Hand-warming biofeedback is used to establish the ability to adjust the skin temperature of the hands and feet.  Both modalities – particularly when combined with standard treatment -- can lead to improvement in stress-related medical issues, and also improve the ability to achieve and maintain an alert and relaxed state.  A person who is more skilled in keeping a relaxed and alert state is more able to maintain optimum performance despite internal and external challenges and stressors.  This is why biofeedback is used to improve performance in so many arenas.

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     Biofeedback training like this is different from “deep state eyes closed relaxation” taught in many therapists’ offices.  Eyes closed training can be pleasant, restorative, and may help some with sleep.  However, eyes-open practice with biofeedback is different in its ability to make relaxation practice more efficient and effective.  Biofeedback like this is more likely to translate into the eyes-open situations where we live our lives and want to improve our emotional and skills performance at home, school, and work, and in our recreation, sports, or arts arenas.  It may also make psychotherapy more efficient.

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     It is also important to recognize that when the autonomic nervous system is more flexible, balanced, and self-regulated, the brain and other end-organs (like the kidney, heart, skin, and digestive organs) are more optimally perfused and regulated.  In this way peripheral biofeedback can provide a foundation for better responses to other treatments for stress-related conditions (chronic pain, irritable bowel, asthma, diabetes), as well as generally improve aspects of cognitive performance like being able to sustain better focus and impulse control.

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Click below for some relaxation/hand warming/biofeedback techniques.