Question:
I learned it for what I now know were tension headaches, and got considerable relief from it. I still use it to relax. It does take a while and some work to learn. Here’s a device you can use away from the office: http://www.futurehealth.org/bioqring.htm I used it to learn. Your goal is to get the central Q to turn green in 5- 10 minutes. It took me about four months of daily practice. Since I had daily headaches, I had plenty of motivation! You probably won’t need to learn it that well. For migraines, you need to handwarm as soon as you feel one coming on, so it’s probably a good idea to do it that fast. The ring is cheap and very handy. Dennis
Response:
I think bio is useful for some, but takes alot of motivation to do it and practice it….but is worthwhile trying…L.Robbins,M.D. http://www.headachedrugs.com
Response:
Howdy, Marty! I’ve been through biofeedback. I’m a musician and have had voice training (no, i’m not a soloist) so the breathing was already in place. It IS worth learning as i can bring my pain level down a bit (i use a combo of some relaxation stuff, b-f-b, and music therapy….but if in public, i can only use the breathing….the different body relaxations actually cause me more pain….don’t ask, i dunno either.) I do have one warning. They show you a monitor to show how you are doing bringing your finger temp down. I had horrible headpain from the multi-color, flashing (!!!!) lights on the computer monitor. I requested that we only use the other indicator, which i cannot remember what that was right now. Had to get pain shots after two different sessions because they would not turn off the monitor and would get on my case when i’d shut my eyes. That was back in ‘95…today i’d have kept my eyes shut anyway. Beware thee the monitor! Deep peace, Lamonster
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had migraines for about 35 years now. Seems I have tried every preventative and abortive and natural supplement there is. I also have a pinched disc in my neck and sometimes hard to tell which is pain from that and which is migraine! Anyway, I have been sent now to "biofeedback" – had the preliminary consult with the psychologist who runs it and he says migraineurs are usually good candidates for this treatment. Has anyone been through this?? I guess my attitude is not the greatest because I am thinking – how can I "think and relax" away the pain?? But, at this point, I am up for anything and WILL try what they offer. Any trials out there?? Marty
Response:
I used to see a Chiropractic for my migraines. The treatment never worked, but the Korean guy who was torturing me at the time casually mentioned squeezing just below the tip of my right index finger and see if the pain eased (about level with the root of your nail). To my amazement, the next time I had a migraine I tried this and it worked. Please note that I have to qualify this and say that the pain didn’t disappear completely, but made it more bearable. Also, keeping up the pinch was not easy ‘cos to be effective it needs to be fairly tight, and it starts to hurt! I haven’t tried pinching other areas, but to quite honest, who really wants to start pinching bits of your body when you’re praying at the porcelain pot? Andy
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had migraines for about 35 years now. Seems I have tried every preventative and abortive and natural supplement there is. I also have a pinched disc in my neck and sometimes hard to tell which is pain from that and which is migraine! Anyway, I have been sent now to "biofeedback" – had the preliminary consult with the psychologist who runs it and he says migraineurs are usually good candidates for this treatment. Has anyone been through this?? I guess my attitude is not the greatest because I am thinking – how can I "think and relax" away the pain?? But, at this point, I am up for anything and WILL try what they offer. Any trials out there?? Marty
Response:
I have had migraines for about 35 years now. Seems I have tried every preventative and abortive and natural supplement there is. I also have a pinched disc in my neck and sometimes hard to tell which is pain from that and which is migraine! Anyway, I have been sent now to "biofeedback" – had the preliminary consult with the psychologist who runs it and he says migraineurs are usually good candidates for this treatment. Has anyone been through this?? I guess my attitude is not the greatest because I am thinking – how can I "think and relax" away the pain?? But, at this point, I am up for anything and WILL try what they offer. Any trials out there?? Marty
Biofeedback works by teaching you to control bloodflow and blood pressure and temperature and other body responses. Much to my amazement, I got significant relief from it. My instinctive reaction to the migraines was often exactly wrong. Self hypnosis and meditation can also get you to the same place. Give it a shot, you have nothing to lose, and it might work for you.
Response:
I have had migraines for about 35 years now. Seems I have tried every preventative and abortive and natural supplement there is. I also have a pinched disc in my neck and sometimes hard to tell which is pain from that and which is migraine! Anyway, I have been sent now to "biofeedback" – had the preliminary consult with the psychologist who runs it and he says migraineurs are usually good candidates for this treatment. Has anyone been through this?? I guess my attitude is not the greatest because I am thinking – how can I "think and relax" away the pain?? But, at this point, I am up for anything and WILL try what they offer. Any trials out there?? Marty
Response:
I appreciate the the feedback about biofeedback (DUH!) I went today for my first regular session, (first visit was history and physical, etc) got hooked up to all the electrodes, etc and the psychologist did a "baseline" – told me my parasympathetic system was in overdrive – very high tension, COLD hands, etc. He had me try to do some mental math – subtraction, etc, then had me think of a stressful situation (not hard as I have a Dx of PTSD) – again readings very high. Then he had me do whatever I do to relax. So, I just did some lamaze breathing and pretended I am a cat (I know, stupid but it helps me feel calm and in control – pretending to be a cat!!) and the guy told me that my tension went way down but my hands stayed colder than normal although they did actually warm up by 3 degrees. Then he told me since I am already good at relaxation, he thought the best approach would be learning to warm my hands and that this was actually the best of the biofeedback techniques to help with migraines. So next week I will learn to warm my hands I guess. Wonder if I think warm thoughts or what? At this point, I will try anything. I also had a headache at the session which may explain the parasympathetic readings. My heartrate never wavered at all – curious to me – but now figure it is just the Inderal doing it’s job?? I am really hoping this will help. I will give it my best shot anyway – sure can’t hurt!! I know that Lamaze was amazingly helpful for me and have also used it for fillings to avoid novacaine – so I figure this technique is similar. Never worked on a migraine though!!
Response:
I too tried biofeedback about 3 years ago at a pain clinic here in San Diego and it didn’t do anything for me either. Barbara Booth
Response:
I have had migraines for about 35 years now. Seems I have tried every preventative and abortive and natural supplement there is. I also have a pinched disc in my neck and sometimes hard to tell which is pain from that and which is migraine! Anyway, I have been sent now to "biofeedback" – had the preliminary consult with the psychologist who runs it and he says migraineurs are usually good candidates for this treatment. Has anyone been through this?? I guess my attitude is not the greatest because I am thinking – how can I "think and relax" away the pain?? But, at this point, I am up for anything and WILL try what they offer. Any trials out there?? Marty
Hi Marty Yes I tried Biofeedback for migraines about 10 years ago. I am sorry to say that it didn’t help very much. I use it now to reduce pain so I can avoid taking too many painkillers. I have more luck, for me anyway by avoiding certain foods. eg. chocolate, cheese, wine MSG, any cola soft drink and too much stress. The last is where the biofeedback does seem to help sometimes. Hope this is useful to you. Best of luck Jean
If you like this post and would like to receive updates from this blog, please subscribe our feed.