Biofeedback

As part of a multidisciplinary approach to managing chronic pain, biofeedback instrumentation is used to help facilitate patients’ recognition of physical changes that otherwise would not be recognizable.  Biofeedback is a general term for therapeutic procedures that measure both normal and abnormal physiological activities and then give feedback to patients. By combining biofeedback and relaxation techniques, patients learn how to manage pain.  For example, over-recruitment of musculature is often found in patients who experience chronic pain.

At UBC, a surface electromyograph (sEMG) is used to detect tight muscles that may be contributing to patients’ overall pain complaints.  Electrical impulses in muscles are picked up by the biofeedback equipment and translated into signals patients can detect.  In this noninvasive procedure, electrodes are superficially affixed to the skin over the problem muscles.  Leads are then attached to the electrodes and fed into a small handheld machine, which in turn feeds into a computer.  While graphs of muscle activity appear on the computer screen, patients, through muscle manipulation (that is, purposely tensing or relaxing the targeted group), can get a sense of their own muscle control.  Biofeedback utilizes computer-interfaced instruments and is useful for clients to learn ways to gain more control between mind and body mechanics.

Here at UBC, biofeedback can be used in conjunction with physical therapy and/or occupational therapy, or it can be provided as an individual service.  Biofeedback is used to treat a variety of conditions, including:  tension headaches, migraine headaches, TMJ, anxiety disorders, Raynaud’s disease, hypertension, and back pain.

For more information on individual program goals, treatments, and measures of success, please visit UBC's sample Treatment Schedule for a client in the Pain Management Program.

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