Biofeedback Device
Biofeedback is a way for people to look at their physiological activity, and then learn to control it in a way that benefits their overall health. This includes brainwaves, heart rate, blood pressure, muscle activity, skin temperature, and breathing. Although over time, with enough training, people can learn to adjust these aspects of their physiological well being without an instrument, everyone at the beginning needs a biofeedback device to assist in making the adjustments. There are several different common biofeedback devices, some of which are used in modern medicine on a regular basis, and some of which are mainly only used in alternative healing methods. Each of these, however, is available for home purchase and personal use.
For the heart, there is the electrocardiograph. Commonly referred to as the ECG or the EKG, this device can monitor heart rate, heart rate variability, and cardiac conduction. This is used on a more precise scale at hospitals to monitor the condition of the heart. For those using it for personal biofeedback purposes, it is useful especially for monitoring heart rate variability, as it is best if one can try and keep a steady heartbeat that increases and decreases at a steady rate.
Another biofeedback device that is a little less common is the electrodermograph, sometimes referred to as the EDA or the GSR. This device will check for sweat gland activity. Although sweating is generally perceived as healthy, there are certain thresholds that you want to stay between. This can monitor if you are sweating at a healthy level or not for the amount of activity you are doing.
The EEG, or electroencephalograph, is a biofeedback device that is used to monitor brainwave activity. This can tell you which part of the brain is more active, can detect stress, and with the assistance of a trained practitioner, can detect other more serious brain conditions. People can train themselves to lower their brainwave activity to relax and treat stress related headaches.
The photoplethysmograph, or PPG, is a biofeedback device that goes on the tip of one’s finger, and monitors heart rate, heart rate variability, and peripheral blood flow. Another device, the electromyograph, or SEMG, is a device that detects muscle action potentials, which can let people know if they are unintentionally contracting a muscle group. The pneumograph is a widely used device that measures abdominal and chest movement, as well as a respiration rate. This is good for people who want to control their breathing rate and depth, as well as those who want to use their breathing rate to help control other physiological aspects of their body.
These are just a few of the most common biofeedback devices, although there are many more. Some of the smaller ones, such as the PPG or the GSR, are more affordable for in home use, while others, such as the EEG, require more advanced machinery and would be more expensive for in home use. There are some alternative medicine clinics that let clients use their biofeedback devices at a low cost for training purposes.
