Cancer
- About Cancer
- Cancer and Genetics
- Cancer and Nutrition
- Cancer Diagnosis
- Cancer Test and Procedures
- Cancer Treatment
- Cancer Treatment Side Effects
- Living With Cancer
-
Specific Cancers
- Adrenal Cancer
- Anal Cancer
- Bile Duct Cancer
- Bladder Cancer
- Bone Cancer
- Brain and Central Nervous Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Carcinoma of Unknown Primary
- Cervical Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
- Endometrial Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Ewing Sarcoma
- Eye Cancer
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Hodgkin Disease
- Kaposi's Sarcoma
- Kidney Cancer
- Laryngeal Cancer
- Leukemia - Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
- Leukemia - Acute Myelocytic (AML)
- Leukemia - Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
- Leukemia - Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
- Leukemia - General
- Liver Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Malignant Mesothelioma
- Multiple Myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Oral Cancer
- Other Cancers
- Ovarian Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Penile Cancer
- Pituitary Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Skin Cancer - Melanoma
- Skin Cancer - Non-Melanoma
- Soft Tissue Sarcoma
- Stomach Cancer
- Testicular Cancer
- Thymus Cancer
- Thyroid Cancer
- Urethral Cancer
- Uterine Cancer
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vulvar Cancer
Alternative Therapy--Biofeedback
What is biofeedback?
Biofeedback is a technique used to train your mind to control the way your body works. It uses devices that guide people to consciously regulate body processes that normally are automatic. The National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine groups biofeedback with other body-mind therapies such as hypnosis, meditation, and prayer.
Can biofeedback help people with cancer?
Biofeedback has been shown to help patients reduce the severity and occurrence of headaches and chronic pain, but has not been found to affect cancer cells.
How does biofeedback work?
During biofeedback, a person is monitored with electrodes that are connected to electronic equipment in place to measure breath rate, perspiration, skin temperature, blood pressure, and heartbeat. The results are displayed on a computer screen. Specific procedures or devices are used to measure each body change, including:
Electromyogram (EMG)--to measure muscle tension.
Electrodermal activity (EDA)--to measure changes in perspiration rate.
Finger pulse devices--to measure blood pressure and heartbeat.
Once the electronic devices record these body signals, a biofeedback technician may recommend physical and mental exercises designed to teach a person how to relax and change the functions being measured. Biofeedback technicians are trained and nationally certified.
Are there any possible problems or complications associated with biofeedback?
There are no known side effects of this therapy.
Biofeedback, as an addition to your cancer treatment plan, has the potential to be pleasant and productive, but should not replace the care and treatment provided by your cancer care team. Always consult your physician for more information.
