Magnetic therapy, biofeedback and electrotherapy devices all focus on reducing pain symptoms, just in different modes of treatment. Biofeedback methods include hypnosis and relaxation techniques, where devices measure your biological response to stimuli. Electrotherapy uses electrical current for healing, and magnets act through a very low voltage of electrical current, which stimulates the nerves that release natural painkillers.

Biofeedback devices include and monitors such as EEGs. Electrotherapy treatment utilizes electrical pulse machines such as: TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation), IF (Interferential Stimulation), NMS (Neuromuscular Stimulation) and HVG (High Voltage Galvanic). Magnetic therapy uses magnets placed on certain points of the body. For more biofeedback and electrotherapy devices education and training, check out the following information:

1. Seek courses about biofeedback equipment, electrotherapy devices and magnetic therapy products.

2. Attend conferences and trade shows to learn from vendors who have electrotherapy equipment and biofeedback devices.

3. Enroll at certified biofeedback therapy and electromagnetic therapy schools.

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Find biofeedback therapy, electromagnetic therapy and magnetic pain therapy courses

Certification is required for biofeedback and electrotherapy. Magnetic pain therapy does not require certification; in fact, people can administer magnetic therapy to themselves. However, when it comes to using devices for all of these therapies, education and training is important for the best results.

I recommend: For a list of accredited universities and colleges that offer BCIA approved courses, see the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America. With a basis in sports injuries, the Learning Centre educates the student on several methods of pain reduction.

Attend conferences and trade shows to improve biofeedback and electrotherapy devices education

A biofeedback manufacturer and/or distributor and other device companies are easy to spot at conferences and trade shows. Face-to-face contact with the product specialist gives you the opportunity to experience product demonstrations, ask questions and find out about training available. You may even learn new ways to utilize the equipment you currently use.

I recommend: The International Society for Neurofeedback & Research conference includes electrotherapy device distributors, and Amrex has electrotherapy equipment manufacturer trade shows listed on their website. The Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback has an annual conference for exposure to current and new technologies by biofeedback manufacturer companies.

Start and continue biofeedback and electrotherapy devices education and training

Magnetic therapy, biofeedback and electrotherapy devices education and training is necessary to learn how to use therapy equipment safely. Plus, if you are already certified, you need continuing education units to maintain certification. The Biofeedback Certification Institute of America (BCIA) is the accrediting body, so choose programs that are registered and certified with BCIA.

I recommend: For biofeedback methods education, Thought Technology provides classes for certified practitioners. The Biomagnetic Therapy Association offers a course using magnets for therapy.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Watch a patient's progress and note which therapy device is most successful for that individual because biofeedback and electromagnetic therapy devices vary just enough to make a huge difference in treatment.

Many health care professionals use a blend of traditional medicine and alternative medicine, such as biofeedback and electrotherapy devices, to help patients with pain management. A few alternative medicine modalities may or may not be beneficial. Biofeedback and electrotherapy devices are FDA approved however, and you'll find that their use may produce success.

Biofeedback and electrotherapy devices take time to set up and learn how to use. So when you decide to use one of these modalities, or electromagnetic therapy or magnet therapy, make sure you allow enough time to be comfortable with the equipment, so you can fully inform your patients. Before making treatment decisions:

1. Find the right equipment for biofeedback therapy and compare costs.

2. Consider electrotherapy devices for pain therapy.

3. Determine whether a combination of traditional medical treatment and electromagnetic therapy might be of value to patients.

4. Inform patients on the pros and cons of magnetic pain therapy.

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Find the appropriate biofeedback equipment to treat pain management

Biofeedback equipment that raises patients' awareness of consciously controlling pain differs from equipment that treats stress, urinary or incontinence issues, and other disorders. Find a supplier or biofeedback manufacturer that offers the right biofeedback device so you don't end up with hardware, software and other capabilities that you don't really need.

I recommend: LifeMatters offers a wide variety of devices such as EEG muscle monitors, multimodality monitors and anti-tension trainers. Allied Products/Biofeedback Instrument Corp. offers a comprehensive choice of devices for clinic and home use, including stress meters and the GSR/Temperature Portable Biofeedback System. Find stand-alone devices, systems, software and accessories at BiofeedbackZone.com.

Check the latest electrotherapy equipment for pain therapy

Health care workers are using electrotherapy devices for pain management more often. This modality is used to treat back pain, arthritic pain, sciatic pain or sports injuries.

I recommend: Pain Management Technologies, Inc. offers electrotherapy products to treat chronic pain and backs them up with a five-year warranty. LGMedSupply.com offers TENS and EMS units. In addition to products, Empi provides wraps and electrodes that fit easily under clothing.

Determine the potential effectiveness of using electromagnetic therapy

Practitioners claim that electromagnetic therapy can treat a number of disorders, including chronic pain. Though some studies have concluded that there may be some benefit for patients suffering from pain, the sole use of such devices for treatment remains controversial.

I recommend: Curatronic, Ltd. offers three types of PEMF Therapy & Wellness Systems. The 2000HT comes with therapy pad and full body mattress. The 2000XP uses frequency modulated pulsed electromagnetic field technology and offers 10 different therapy programs. Their 2000PC model has the highest possible energy output. Contact Curatronic, Ltd. for more information. to find out more about these products. B3K USA offers a guarantee on their Puls Electro Magnetic Field Therapy system. You can also rent their system with an option to purchase.

Inform patients about the pros and cons of magnetic pain therapy

There's no established effect on health or healing with magnetic therapy, though you'll find many patients who are familiar with alternative medicine may want to discuss it as a pain management option. The magnetic therapy bracelet is one widely-used product.

I recommend: Find supportive information about magnetic therapy at Bioflex Medical Magnets, Inc. They offer a variety of products, including sleep pads, pillows and seat cushions. Review a clinical study from Magnatech Labs, Inc., who offers a number of patented magnetic therapy products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure to invest in electrotherapy devices that will meet the needs of your client base as it grows. Ask the vendor to explain their policies about upgrading equipment.

Biofeedback and electrotherapy devices, which are widely used in the complementary and alternative medical fields, measure or provide electrical stimulation to certain parts of the body in order to improve patient outcomes. Biofeedback and electrotherapy devices key terms can be quite confusing, though. As a clinician, you need to know how to tailor your treatments to each client, and you can start by properly understanding this terminology. The following terms are among the most important in the field.

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Neurofeedback

This is a type of biofeedback that works similarly to an electroencephalogram (EEG). A device measures brain activity and reports it to the patient so that he or she can make changes in behavior and improve performance. This device is available as a portable, hand-held unit.

I recommend: Check out frequently asked questions about neurofeedback at Neurobit Systems.

Electromyography (EMG)

A procedure used for diagnosis rather than treatment, EMG involves inserting a tiny needle into the patient's muscle and taking electrical readings. The test uses a device to measure and record the patient's nerve firings so a professional can then make an assessment about any disease that may exist.

I recommend: Read up on electromyography at Neurology and Neurosurgery Associates.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

A TENS machine provides temporary relief of pain by stimulating nerves through the skin. It is most commonly used for chronic pain and is available as a portable unit for home use, but it is also used for acute pain or during physical therapy sessions.

I recommend: Find out more about how the TENS device works at WebMD.

Electronic muscle stimulator (EMS)

This device stimulates the motor point of the muscle so it will contract and then relax. Electronic muscle stimulators may be used to increase blood supply and strengthen atrophied or weak muscles. These may be used in a therapeutic setting as well as a cosmetic setting, so they are federally regulated.

I recommend: Take a look at the information offered by Medword Medical Sales to get a better understanding of how to use one of these devices.

Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES)

Cranial electrotherapy was created to help relieve stress in patients' lives. It is performed using electrodes that placed on the skin of the jaw area. It is thought that this therapy will alter neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, producing a relaxing effect.

I recommend: Biofeedback Instrument Corp. and Tools & Techniques both offer more useful information on CES.

Pelvic floor muscle electrical stimulation (PFES)

There is some evidence that suggests urinary incontinence can be improved by stimulating the muscles of the pelvic floor. Combined with biofeedback and exercise, PFES can strengthen these weakened muscles and provide some relief for sufferers.

I recommend: Seek Wellness gives in-depth about how pelvic floor muscle electrical stimulation works and discusses contraindications.

Biofeedback and electrotherapy devices help promote pain management without medication. Magnetic therapy uses magnets to promote healing and pain relief. Using magnets, electricity or a combination of the two to treat injury or illness is not a new idea. Many doctors over the years believed that the stimulation of nerves and muscles releases the body's natural painkillers, and these devices are common for home and medical office use.

A biofeedback device can range from very small and unobtrusive to a large machine with multiple wires and leads. Because of this wide variety, costs range from inexpensive to a substantial investment. Compare biofeedback and electrotherapy devices pricing and costs in different categories for the best chance at finding the right price range.

1. Check out prices of home and clinical electrotherapy equipment.

2. Discover the wide variety of costs for magnetic therapy products.

3. Compare prices on biofeedback devices with different functions.

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Discover the costs of electrotherapy devices

Patients and doctors use electrotherapy equipment, such as TENS units, to relieve pain and tension and to help re-train weak muscles. A very small home electrotherapy device can cost as little as $25. Large electronic muscle stimulation machines for clinical settings can cost from $1500 to over $3000.

I recommend: Check prices of electrotherapy equipment at LGMedSupply.com. Hospeq offers large electronic muscle machines suited to home or clinical use. Find prices for electrotherapy machines for therapist and practitioner use at B3K USA.

Learn the costs of magnetic therapy products

Magnetic therapy products may range from $30 for magnetic shoe insoles to over $200 for a magnetic chair cushion. Magnetic mattress pads can range from $200 to $300. Magnetic bracelets and other magnetic jewelry can cost less that $10 for a simple bracelet, or you can buy custom-made magnetic jewelry with the cost relating to the materials and complexity of design.

I recommend: Check out Dr. Bakst Magnetics for prices on magnetic therapy products. Compare prices for items like magnetic mattress pads at BIOflex Medical Magnets. Look for a variety of magnetic jewelry at Magnetic Therapy Magnets.com.

Get price information from a biofeedback manufacturer

Many believe that biofeedback devices help train the body to control pain and other physical reactions. Physical therapists may use them to help increase patient mobility. Biofeedback techniques using software can even help train your mind to improve memory and concentration. Depending on functions desired, a biofeedback machine can cost as little as $75 or as more than $5000.

I recommend: WorldWorks Unlimited offers a variety of biofeedback machines. Compare options in biofeedback machines at Allied Products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While doctors generally regards electromagnetic therapy as safe, you should always consultant a doctor about any health problems before using these devices. Be aware that some medical devices aren't compatible with certain electrotherapy devices.