Biofeedback, a form of alternative medicine, involves the patient's ability to control his/her bodily functions such as blood pressure or heart rate. A biofeedback provider uses biofeedback devices to teach the patient how to control these functions. Biofeedback can be used to treat conditions such as urinary incontinence, pain management, and other diseases. Not all patients or conditions will benefit from biofeedback therapy but many practitioners incorporate this therapy into treatment plans.

Both biofeedback and biofeedback instruments require time and practice to use effectively. You must understand how biofeedback devices operate and what conditions can be treated in order to manage your patients appropriately. While incorporating biofeedback and biofeedback devices into your practice, here are some thoughts to consider:

1. Find the appropriate biofeedback instruments for your practice.

2. Look for companies that offer solid customer service.

3. Consider further education about the use of biofeedback and biofeedback devices.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find the appropriate biofeedback instruments for use in your practice

There are several different types of biofeedback and biofeedback equipment available. You should determine what conditions you will be using biofeedback to treat and shop around for the appropriate devices while looking for the best prices. The purchase of a biofeedback device that cannot be used to treat the conditions that you manage is a waste of money.

I recommend: Biomedical Design Instruments offers several biofeedback devices for conditions ranging from sports injuries to circulatory disorders. InterCure carries a biofeedback device that manages high blood pressure using the patient's respirations. Medgo has several biofeedback products that you can incorporate into your management of patients with urinary incontinence.

Look for companies with solid customer service once you purchase biofeedback devices

Biofeedback can be complicated and takes time to learn and perfect. Once you purchase biofeedback equipment, it is likely that you may need follow up from the company about how to use the biofeedback machine and some of its features. Companies with good customer service will make your practice easier.

I recommend: WorldWorks offers a customer service form, phone number and email to answer questions about biofeedback devices. This company also offers support from a biofeedback therapist through a discussion board. Thought Technology offers online software updates for their biofeedback equipment as well as several mailing addresses, an email address, and a toll-free number.

Register for more education about the use of biofeedback

There are several opportunities for you to learn more about biofeedback and biofeedback devices. You will feel more comfortable using biofeedback as you obtain more education and it is important to stay current on the techniques or science that may be published about biofeedback.

I recommend: If you want to work with athletes or artistic performers, Bio-Medical Instruments has a DVD that can give you pointers to caring for this population. Stens Biofeedback - Stens Corporation offers a variety of training sessions that you can attend around the country.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Create a biofeedback list that you can hand out to your patients that lists all of the available biofeedback therapies and conditions that can be treated. This list of biofeedback information will help your patients be more comfortable with biofeedback techniques.