POTENTIAL RISKS AND BENEFITS
The best way to conceptualize Biofeedback is as an educational or coaching service by a highly-trained practitioner who is familiar with the mind-body-emotion mechanisms relating to attention, regulatory systems, stress, and pain. Committing oneself to personal change and self-regulation can be an intensive, interpersonally focused process. Individualized responses are to be expected.
Biofeedback is generally regarded as non-invasive and safe with minimal potential for adverse responses. There is a broad array of research studies published on the effective use of biofeedback, and to date, no significant injuries have been reported. Any adverse effects are rare, minor, and short-term, dissipating within a few hours, but if experienced they should be reported to the practitioner immediately or before the start of the next planned session so that we can make adjustments. In particular, headache, negative sleep differences, nightmare, agitation, irritability, or moodiness would indicate a change in training is necessary. Please do not delay in notifying us for anything you regard as new or different in a negative way.
The benefits of biofeedback training, in addition to symptom relief, usually include improved self-awareness, and increased awareness of psychological, physiological, and lifestyle contributors to your presenting symptoms. Scientific investigation is ongoing to determine the mechanism by which obvious self-regulatory benefits are achieved. The FDA finding is that biofeedback training facilitates nervous system calming, self-regulation and relaxation. Most clients report better sleep, increased energy level, enhanced calmness, enhanced focus, improved attention and concentration, improvement to memory and immediate recall, reduced emotional reactivity, awareness of dreaming, and physiologic relaxation.
You are responsible to keep us informed of any training effects you may be having that are new or different to you, including symptom intensification. Nothing we do together should create discomfort, and it is important for you to report any such issues immediately to your licensed physician or therapist, as well as to our biofeedback staff. In the event of any reported discomfort, we will make every effort to be supportive and provide oversight and direction, including but not limited to suspending biofeedback training, adjusting our training protocol, recommending psychotherapy, and/or recommending a referral.
Our first and foremost consideration is safety. Each training room is carefully arranged and monitored to ensure accurate readings and proper measurements. In addition, the manufacturer of the equipment has built-in safety monitoring devices that promote safety.