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What is Biofeedback Therapy?
Biofeedback therapy is a revolutionary form of treatment that has shown great promise in helping individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) gain control over their mind and body during the recovery process.
By utilizing electronic sensors and specialized medical devices, biofeedback provides valuable feedback on the body’s physiological responses, allowing medical professionals to create tailored treatment plans for each individual.
- One of the biggest benefits of biofeedback is that it’s noninvasive.
- If you’ve had negative reactions to your addiction treatment medications, biofeedback may be a great option for you.
- Biofeedback is also great for pregnant women who are recovering from addiction because it’s medication-free.
- Our bodies have numerous involuntary functions that occur without conscious thought.
- However, when we experience stress, anxiety, or emotional distress, these involuntary functions can become exacerbated, leading to further distress.
- Biofeedback therapy aims to track and monitor these unconscious physiological responses to physical and emotional tension.
- This helps individuals gain insight into their involuntary functions and learn techniques to regulate their body’s response.
Tracking Involuntary Functions
During biofeedback therapy, various physiological functions are tracked, including:
- Breathing rate
- Heart rate
- Skin temperature
- Blood pressure
- Sweating
- Muscle contractions
These functions are recorded by biofeedback machines and displayed to the patient through visual cues such as pulsing lights or images on a computer monitor.
For example, if an individual’s heart rate appears as a pulsing light on the screen, a rapid pulsation indicates the need for stress-relieving techniques to lower the heart rate. As the individual practices relaxation exercises, the pulsing light or image slows down correspondingly, indicating progress in self-regulation.
- One significant application of biofeedback therapy is in the treatment of withdrawal symptoms associated with substance abuse.
- Alcohol or drug withdrawal often leads to heightened physical stress and involuntary responses, such as anxiety, depression, chronic muscle pain, and restlessness.
- By utilizing biofeedback, individuals in recovery can effectively manage these symptoms, leading to a smoother transition during the withdrawal process.
Biofeedback Therapy Exercises
Biofeedback therapy incorporates various exercises that empower individuals in their recovery journey. These exercises focus on promoting relaxation, mindfulness, and positive imagery to help individuals regain control over their mind and body.
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Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation is an exercise that centers around releasing negative emotions and thoughts through peaceful concentration.
By focusing on the present moment and observing thoughts without judgment, individuals can cultivate a sense of calm and reduce stress levels.
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Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Progressive muscle relaxation is an exercise where individuals target specific muscle groups to release tension and promote overall relaxation.
By systematically tensing and then relaxing each muscle group, individuals can alleviate muscle stiffness and experience a deep sense of relaxation.
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Guided Imagery
Guided imagery is an exercise that directs thoughts toward soothing and positive images and scenarios.
By visualizing calming scenes or engaging in guided narratives, individuals can relax both their mind and body, reducing stress and promoting a sense of tranquility.
Biofeedback and Other Addiction Treatments
Biofeedback therapy is typically administered by trained medical professionals using specialized equipment. However, advancements in technology have allowed for the development of specialized biofeedback smartphone apps that can supplement supervised therapy sessions, providing individuals with the convenience of practicing biofeedback exercises at home.
On-site biofeedback therapy sessions typically last between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the individual’s needs. The number of sessions required varies based on the severity of the addiction, with individuals with milder addictions potentially benefiting from as few as 10 sessions, while those with more severe addictions may require up to 50 sessions
One of the significant advantages of biofeedback therapy is its noninvasive nature. Individuals who experience unpleasant reactions to addiction treatment medications may find biofeedback to be an effective alternative. Additionally, biofeedback therapy is particularly beneficial for pregnant women recovering from addiction, as it offers a medication-free treatment option.
Biofeedback, combined with other addiction treatment therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can provide individuals with a psychological edge in overcoming addiction. By understanding the physical and psychological effects of addiction and learning how to modify these effects through biofeedback therapy, individuals can regain a sense of control over their recovery journey.
Moreover, biofeedback therapy has shown promising results in treating mental health disorders that often co-occur with substance abuse, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). By addressing these underlying mental health issues through biofeedback, individuals can experience more comprehensive and holistic healing.
We believe in Holistic Therapies.
Biosound Therapy
Biosound Therapy is the integration of Biofeedback, Therapeutic Music, sound healing massage, and guided imagery. The guided imagery selections on the Biofeedback Bed are designed to address the guilt, fear, shame and trauma associated as underlying issues for most dealing with addiction. These moving meditations begin with a journey to a completely relaxed state of mind. Then, utilizing a unique echo effect, powerful and positive affirmations are delivered. This combination helps the client overcome those deep rooted, negative patterns of thought and behavior.
- Relieves pain & stress
- Assists with Detoxification Treatment
- Lowers cravings, impulse behavior and racing thoughts
- Lowers anxiety & depression
Equine Psychotherapy
Equine-Assisted Therapy is used to treat patients challenged with everything from drug and alcohol abuse dependency and post-traumatic stress syndrome. The therapy takes advantage of the mental and physical exercise that working with a horse can provide. Equine therapy:
- Helps clients learn to identify and cope with feelings
- Promotes Effective Communication Skills
- Helps Addicts Better Manage Behavior
- Teaches How to Set Boundaries
- Restores Self-Esteem and Self-Worth
*This is an optional, additional therapeutic therapy available after clinical treatment hours.
Massage Therapy
Clients at Relevance receive weekly massage therapy from our Licensed Therapists. Some additional benefits include:
- Release of ‘feel-good’ hormones. According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), massage helps to increase serotonin and dopamine (feel-good hormones) and decrease cortisol which is related to stress.
- Reduce agitation and anxiety and ease sleep problems.
- Provides a natural, alternative method of healing, free of drugs.
- Helps with the removal of metabolic waste. Therapeutic massage triggers or stimulates the body’s parasympathetic nervous system. This in turn can increase circulation and promote the effectiveness of the lymph system. The lymph system helps to alleviate pain symptoms and is responsible for removing the body’s metabolic waste build-up.
- Provides the client with a connection to their body, and improves or increases body awareness.
Biofeedback Therapy : Empowering Recovery
Biofeedback therapy offers a powerful tool for individuals seeking recovery from substance abuse and mental health concerns. By providing real-time feedback on physiological responses, individuals can gain insight into their body’s involuntary functions and learn techniques to regulate their responses to stressful situations.
With its noninvasive nature and ability to address co-occurring mental health disorders, biofeedback therapy holds great promise in empowering individuals on their path to recovery.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, consider reaching out to a treatment provider to explore the benefits of biofeedback therapy and discover a comprehensive addiction treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Take the first step towards a healthier and more fulfilling life today.
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