Prolonged or frequent triggering of these natural stress responses is a known contributor to many disease processes. Biofeedback techniques provide a measurement of these stress symptoms and help an individual learn to self-regulate these various body reactions.
Biofeedback instruments are important while a person learns self-regulation.
Typically in order to learn control of the body, biofeedback is combined with relaxation procedures such as muscle relaxation, breathing from the diaphragm or visualization. Each technique has a sensor that is attached differently to the person's skin. It is a painless procedure, similar to using a Band-Aid . It is used in general relaxation training and is a primary method for treating tension headaches, jaw problems and chronic pain. Feedback uses a sensitive, finely tuned thermostat attached to the finger to measure the blood flow in the skin.