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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on November 6, 2003, at 8:50:59
They sent me home with two homeworks, keeping a headache diary, and working on raising my hand temperature.
So I'm supposed to, fifteen minutes at a time, relax and repeat that my arms are getting heavy. I'm supposed to hold the thermometer between my fingers while I do this. I check the temperature at the beginning and at the end.
Well, it just seemed too easy. My temperature routinely went up four degrees. It didn't matter if I fell asleep during the time, or forgot to say the words. Now I know I'm good at creative visualization, pain blocking, relaxation, etc. But this seemed just too easy.
So I held the thermometer for fifteen minutes while doing absolutely nothing special. Temperature went up four degrees. So I gave the thermometer to my son to hold while I said the arm heavy thing for way less than fifteen minutes. Temerature went up three degrees.
I really don't know if I should bother doing the exercise till my next appointment Monday? Or if I should just hold the thermometer while I do whatever. Or if I should call and ask what I'm doing wrong. I don't need to speak to biofeedback guy. The person who does his appointments and stuff was the one who gave me the instructions.
Sigh. I hope this all isn't a crock.
Posted by Dinah on November 6, 2003, at 9:14:20
In reply to Biofeedback problem, posted by Dinah on November 6, 2003, at 8:50:59
There was a technical error in the way I was doing it. You aren't supposed to hold the thermometer the whole time.
So I did it the new way and found the same results. My right hand went up the same four degrees, my left hand a bit less.
So I guess I must just be good at this. And my son too? :)
Posted by Dinah on November 6, 2003, at 9:17:05
In reply to Re: Never mind. I called., posted by Dinah on November 6, 2003, at 9:14:20
So maybe I'm not so good at it after all.
Posted by pixygoth on November 6, 2003, at 10:50:05
In reply to Re: But I got a headache while doing it. :), posted by Dinah on November 6, 2003, at 9:17:05
Hi There - is this technique meant to help you consciously control your physiology , or what? I've heard the term used (particularly here) and I'm really curious...
I have big prob.s with lumps in my throat and stomach-jumpiness... is this the kind of thing Biofeedback's for?
Cheers for the attention,
S
Posted by Dinah on November 6, 2003, at 11:06:22
In reply to Re: Biofeedback?? » Dinah, posted by pixygoth on November 6, 2003, at 10:50:05
Biofeedback helps you learn to consciously control certain supposedly autonomic functions. So you can learn to control temperature in various parts of the body, muscle tension, skin conductivity, heartrate, and brain waves. And the machine is hooked up to you giving you feedback in how well you're doing.
It wouldn't directly measure the lumps or jumpiness, but it would give you a way of learning to control your overall level of anxiety as measured by the above indicators, which should indirectly influence your symptoms.
I'm not sure it's all that different from guided imagery, other relaxation techniques, and meditation (which changes your brain wave mix if done correctly). It just measures how well you're doing.
Posted by DaisyM on November 6, 2003, at 15:30:37
In reply to Re: Biofeedback??, posted by Dinah on November 6, 2003, at 11:06:22
I think one of the major differences from guided imagery is that it relies heavily on focused breating -- if you feel you thoughts wondering away from your breathing you need to bring it back to your center. The idea is that the brain waves become similar to Rem-sleep states, which are healing and calming.
Posted by Tabitha on November 6, 2003, at 19:38:40
In reply to Biofeedback problem, posted by Dinah on November 6, 2003, at 8:50:59
I commend you for attempting a little scientific validation of this thing.
Posted by Dinah on November 6, 2003, at 20:57:02
In reply to Re: Biofeedback problem, posted by Tabitha on November 6, 2003, at 19:38:40
Chuckle. Thanks for putting it so politely. :)
I figured I was being my usual pain in the posterior.
Posted by fallsfall on November 6, 2003, at 21:29:06
In reply to Re: Biofeedback problem » Tabitha, posted by Dinah on November 6, 2003, at 20:57:02
Well, I think that I would have been confused, too. Can you call again tomorrow? Or can you show that if you are agitated it DOESN'T go up? Seems like you have really reasonable questions. Remember this is time-limited. If you want to get to those brain waves you can't waste a week...
Posted by LegWarmers on December 19, 2005, at 20:31:38
In reply to Re: Biofeedback??, posted by Dinah on November 6, 2003, at 11:06:22
> Biofeedback helps you learn to consciously control certain supposedly autonomic functions. So you can learn to control temperature in various parts of the body, muscle tension, skin conductivity, heartrate, and brain waves. And the machine is hooked up to you giving you feedback in how well you're doing.
>
> It wouldn't directly measure the lumps or jumpiness, but it would give you a way of learning to control your overall level of anxiety as measured by the above indicators, which should indirectly influence your symptoms.
>
> I'm not sure it's all that different from guided imagery, other relaxation techniques, and meditation (which changes your brain wave mix if done correctly). It just measures how well you're doing.
this sounds interesting, Dinah, how did you find it in the end? Worth it? I think I am starting to understand this. Any experiences to share that people have had?
Posted by Dinah on December 19, 2005, at 20:42:34
In reply to Re: Biofeedback?? » Dinah, posted by LegWarmers on December 19, 2005, at 20:31:38
I did think it was worthwhile. If someone else had offered it, I would have continued with it.
I just found my little handheld thermometer. Perhaps I'll do some work on it.
Posted by LegWarmers on December 27, 2005, at 11:57:04
In reply to Re: Biofeedback?? » LegWarmers, posted by Dinah on December 19, 2005, at 20:42:34
From your experience would you say it could be beneficial even if you only can do it a few times?
This is the end of the thread.
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