Migraines are the worst kind of headaches a person can experience and can be very debilitating. Biofeedback therapy is a non-invasive treatment in which you learn to automatically control the body functions in order to recognize the warning signs of a migraine. In this way you can reduce the extent of the migraine or prevent it from happening it all together. This includes learning how to control your heart rate, body temperature, breathing patterns and skin temperature.
In the sessions for biofeedback and migraines, devices are connected to your skin and scalp to measure the body functions and those of the brain. These devices will record any changes and you will receive immediate feedback through means of a display screen – hence the name biofeedback because you receive feedback on the internal biological functions of your body. In biofeedback therapy for migraines, there are several different types of treatment that have proven to be effective.
The main training involves learning to breathe properly so that you can relax the muscles of your neck and head. The tension that builds up in these muscles is the leading cause of such headaches. Thermal biofeedback treatment is the therapy most often used to treat this condition. The goal of thermal biofeedback therapy is to learn how to warm the temperature of your hands so that you can reduce the effect of migraines.
The benefits of this therapy are that it does not involve taking any medications, prescription or over-the-counter, so it is safe for everyone, including children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. You learn how to use a simple device attached to your index finger that provides you with the feedback you need to determine if the pain is an onset of a migraine. Another benefit of using biofeedback therapy to treat migraine headaches is that you learn to recognize the triggers of a migraine.
Much of the medical treatment for this condition concentrates on the cessation of the headache rather than that cause. The triggers are different for different people can be related to stressful situations and allergies to food or aspects of the environment. Once you identify what it is that triggers migraines for you, then you can start taking the necessary steps to control them. Stress has not been identified as an immediate trigger of migraines, but rather continued stress wears down the body making you more susceptible to them.
It takes discussion and examination of different aspects of your life to learn what your migraine triggers are. This is part of the biofeedback training for this condition. Sometimes patients know exactly what brought on the migraine, especially if they have been experiencing them for years. However, the work involved in biofeedback treatment is worth it. You have to look at all the changes that occurred in your life prior to the migraine episode, any foods that you ate and what the weather was like.
It involves keeping a diary along with attending biofeedback therapy sessions to help you become attuned to the changes in your body. Other aspects of biofeedback treatment for migraines involves making changes in your lifestyle, such as making sure that you get plenty of exercise, eating a well-balanced diet and maintaining good posture. Biofeedback and migraines are still under research, but thus far the link between the two is very promising for migraine sufferers.
As you learn to recognize the symptoms of a migraine, you will also learn appropriate relaxation techniques that will result in benefits. Biofeedback treatment for migraines typically include a routine of therapy sessions in which you discuss the symptoms with the therapist and the triggers as well as the use of the devices to help you gain better control over your body’s reaction to them. The more understanding you have, the closer you will come to eliminating these painful headaches from your life.