| Biofeedback studies have shown that Fibromyalgia | | | | dysfunction that has been caused by a mild traumatic |
| patients who received treatments had fewer tender | | | | brain injury such as in an automobile accident. Patients |
| points, lower pain intensity and morning stiffness. | | | | first have a brain mapping performed to identify |
| Biofeedback is a technique in which patients are | | | | areas of the brain which have been injured and are |
| trained to improve their health by learning to control | | | | functioning abnormally in terms of brain-wave activity. |
| certain internal bodily processes such as muscle | | | | Electrical activity produced by the brain reflects a |
| tension causing pain, blood pressure, or anxiety. It is a | | | | person's level of functioning and can be monitored by |
| basic way of learning self-control tools that will be | | | | EEG. A condition known as "EEG slowing" is present in |
| used throughout life. Recent biofeedback | | | | people who have suffered damage to the brain and |
| developments now provide a tool for improving | | | | nervous system as a result of trauma and go on to |
| functioning of the central nervous system. | | | | develop Fibromyalgia or other chronic conditions. |
| Biofeedback is non-invasive and painless. It can | | | | The Flexyx Neurotherapy System (FNS) is both a |
| expose the sources of physical pain, like headache or | | | | brainwave biofeedback and treatment system, as |
| back pain, and gives us the information we need to | | | | well as an evaluation system. It is for patients with |
| reduce or eliminate the pain. It can help people with | | | | central nervous system dysfunctions, cognitive |
| Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue by eliminating pain | | | | dysfunction (memory, etc.), mood disorders, low |
| and improving energy. | | | | energy, movement difficulties, trouble with balance, |
| The most frequently used types of biofeedback | | | | and pain problems. FNS is an advanced form of |
| therapy: Electromyography (EMG) - measures muscle | | | | biofeedback which, returns a feedback signal to the |
| tension, Thermal biofeedback - measures skin | | | | patient connected to the EEG. This form of EEG uses |
| temperature, and Neurofeedback or | | | | electrodes connected to the skin. Researchers have |
| electroencephalography (EEG) - measures brain wave | | | | found that FM patients concentrate better when |
| activity. | | | | they close their eyes, which lessens sensory |
| During a biofeedback session electrodes are attached | | | | stimulation. |
| to the skin. The electrodes feed information into | | | | Flexyx Neurofeedback System is also non-invasive |
| devices that measure one's internal involuntary | | | | and painless. The patient sits in a comfortable chair |
| responses. The patient is then given mental exercises | | | | and wears dark glasses that generate feedback. The |
| by the practitioner. This allows the mental activities | | | | patient need only relax. The treatment measures |
| that cause the physiologic responses to be identified, | | | | brain waves, and directs the brain waves back to the |
| which make it possible to teach the patient how to | | | | person as a reflection (mirrored). FNS resets the |
| gain control over them. When a person has learned | | | | natural, self-regulation skills we are unaware of in our |
| how to control his/her symptoms, the feedback | | | | brain and nervous system so they can function |
| displays the positive changes. | | | | normally. This makes it possible to implement the |
| Biofeedback has been proven to be an effective | | | | best treatment plan. |
| therapy for many conditions. It is primarily used to | | | | After the treatments are completed, surface |
| treat high blood pressure, chronic pain, tension | | | | Electromyography (sEMG) therapy is usually |
| headache, migraine headache, and urinary | | | | conducted to help retrain muscles, and Myofascial |
| incontinence. Studies have shown that most patients | | | | Release Therapy is used to restore proper muscle |
| who respond best from biofeedback have conditions | | | | balance, obtain optimum posture, and address other |
| that are brought on by or made worse by stress. | | | | neuromuscular problems. There may be other |
| This would imply that relaxation is the most important | | | | treatment options discussed and utilized depending on |
| factor for success. | | | | the findings and your therapist. |
| The FM treatment using electro-encephalogram (EEG) | | | | The hope is to help chronic pain sufferers develop |
| is based on the research of Mary Lee Esty, Ph.D.; | | | | greater awareness and deliberate control over the |
| Stuart Donaldson, Ph.D.; and Len Ochs, Ph.D. | | | | physiological processes that are outside conscious |
| Technology is used to detect and treat brain | | | | awareness. |