[Eowyn]

I saw a biofeedback specialist today. We just got started - he took my history and showed me the basics of what we'll do. Basically, he's going to teach me how to use breathing and relaxation to calm my sympathetic nervous system.

The hope is that I'll be able to use this to help control headache onset and manage pain naturally in the future. He says practicing relaxation regularly may also help me with insomnia.

He used electrodes to help me visualize muscle tension, blood flow, and electromagnetic something-or-other.

It was pretty interesting, and before I left, I was able to reduce the headache I had coming on when I went into the office.

Anybody else tried it?

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by Eowyn

Anybody else tried it?

Yup. Even sprung for the little handheld gizmo that looks like a computer mouse with a glandular problem... Never got it to work the way/s I'd hoped it would. Loved the theory; poor results, but I don't fault anybody/anything. I'm not a good subject for hypnosis either; always wondered if there's a connection...

Hope your results are FAR better!

Doc

[Rrae]

Yes, I tried it, per my psychiatrist. Mine is for anxiety mostly, although I do suffer chronic pain (RSD) and it would probably work for the flare ups. However, when I get the flare ups, that's when anxiety kicks in and when I'm in anxiety-mode I have a hard time concentrating long enough to get benefit from biofeedback/relaxation.

Do you incorporate 'Guided Imagery' with it? That's where you use all 5 of your senses to take you to your 'picturesque' place. Mine was 'the mountains'. I'm supposed to 'smell the pines', 'hear the birds', 'see an eagle soaring above', 'taste the air', 'feel - something', i forget

I can see where it can be a beneficial tool, but like I said it's hard to stick with when anxiety takes center stage. I'm still trying to work on it.

Rae

[Dr. Smith]

Rae said it better than I did, except it was my PM clinic (at the time) who offered it, and it was for chronic pain. I forgot about the guided imagery part, but yes - this guy's office was overbearing with all the little battery-operated fountains, landscape posters, new-age music, and incense (or scented candles or pot pourri - something stinky, anyway...)

My problem was the same though - I could never concentrate through the pain I was trying to alleviate. The guy who taught it kept telling me how great it worked on patients with cold hands (I forget the term he used; might have been Raynaud's phenomenon or might have been something else) but every time I asked how it worked for chronic pain (especially headaches), he dodged the question.

[RAMBLE]
I've learned a lot of ways to distract myself from pain, but never headaches. To me, they're the most difficult because they're in our heads (where we live, if that makes sense).
[/RAMBLE]

Even though I couldn't get it to work, I still believe in the theory; I have been able to use it to drop my BP by 10 points or more withing a few minutes (not that BP's ever been an issue). That tells me that is does work for some things for some folks, so go for it, and Best Wishes!

Doc

[bfe chronic pain]

Hi, my name is Craig Adams. I live in Sydney Australia, and I have just joined the group and read this message. I work as an educational
assistant for the BFE Chronic Pain Team. I have suffered CHRONIC PAIN RSD CRPS that started in 2004. I am asking people just like myself with chronic pain to have a look and tell people just like myself tips on how to live with chronic pain in their life.

QUOTE=Rrae;853485]Yes, I tried it, per my psychiatrist. Mine is for anxiety mostly, although I do suffer chronic pain (RSD) and it would probably work for the flare ups. However, when I get the flare ups, that's when anxiety kicks in and when I'm in anxiety-mode I have a hard time concentrating long enough to get benefit from biofeedback/relaxation.

Do you incorporate 'Guided Imagery' with it? That's where you use all 5 of your senses to take you to your 'picturesque' place. Mine was 'the mountains'. I'm supposed to 'smell the pines', 'hear the birds', 'see an eagle soaring above', 'taste the air', 'feel - something', i forget

I can see where it can be a beneficial tool, but like I said it's hard to stick with when anxiety takes center stage. I'm still trying to work on it.

Rae
[/QUOTE]

[Rrae]

Originally Posted by bfe chronic pain

Hi, my name is Craig Adams. I live in Sydney Australia, and I have just joined the group and read this message. I work as an educational
assistant for the BFE Chronic Pain Team. I have suffered CHRONIC PAIN RSD CRPS that started in 2004. I am asking people just like myself with chronic pain to have a look and tell people just like myself tips on how to live with chronic pain in their life.

Welcome!
That's wonderful you actively working with others who suffer pain. I think it really means alot coming from someone else who truly comprehends what chronic pain is all about and how it affects our lives. I think it's a great tool to latch on to - relaxation and other techniques, meditation and so on.
It takes a great deal of self-discipline to be able to stick with it without letting the pain to overrule. I wish I were better at this than I am.

Thanks for sharing!
Rae

[thinkitdoit7]

If you read through all the responses to the initial post - the common threads are two fold....

1. The patients tried biofeedback/mediation/imagery during a flare up.
2. The patients all said it is extremely difficult to concentrate and meditate while in pain.

The biggest reason biofeedback and meditation don't work is because it requires daily practice - like learning to play the piano - or learning a new skill -

The mind is bombarded every minute by noise - and to develop the practice of biofeedback/meditation - one has to set aside 5-10 minutes at least twice a day to begin with during which you tell yourself you will do your best at the exercises you were taught....

Do not try them during a flare up of pain - this is near to impossible for anyone but a buddhist monk - to control pain after it is off the charts....

If you discipline yourself - and do it regulary - like an exercise class scheduled at a certain time each day - do it no matter what - even if you can only hang on for 30 secs or 10 secs at first - keep trying...

I can tell you from my experience and many others - that the results will amaze you - and are worth your time and effort.

I have been doing meditation for about 2 years now and I still have many days that I can't do more than a few minutes or less - and I try again and again....

So even when you start to reap the benefits - you can fall back on any given day.

Do not give up - I believe this can change lives - and I never used to believe in meditation at all.....

K from WIS

[Eowyn]

I agree with this. Several years ago, when I was first diagnosed with depression and having trouble with insomnia, I bought a StressEraser. When I used it regularly (pretty much daily), my overall stress level decreased and I was able to sleep more soundly. Using it intermittently at the moment of insomnia had much more limited success.

By the way, based on my limited experience between the StressEraser and the device used in this practitioner's office, I found his device much more helpful and relaxing. It was this gadget:

http://www.heartmathstore.com/category/emWave2/

[2000mind]

Hi,

I use biofeedback techniques. But they weren't developed from the use of the computerized devices. I usually use visualization, affirmation, and self-talk. All these techniques are used to treat my physical pain and emotinal pain. I primarily use self talk because I find that to be the most effective. I'm glad to hear that someone is actually getting some positive results from biofeedback. Its taken me a good 3 years to get somewhat skilled at it. I haven't had to use pain medications for 2 years. Hopefully I can meet some more people who are using biofeedback. Its kind of rare to find people brave enough to rely on this source of treatment to help themselves. Anyway, much continued success to you!