Describe the use of biofeedback, meditation, and relaxation techniques in the management of stress-related disorders. How effective are these treatments for stress management and pain relief?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Sample Answer: Biofeedback refers to the process of making patients aware of specific physiological functions that they would not ordinarily notice such as heart rate and muscle tension. Using feedback regarding their responses, they are taught to alter or change these responses to promote relaxation. Biofeedback has been shown to be effective at controlling a number of types of pain, including headaches. Relaxation and meditation techniques focus on helping people to focus attention on either a single thought or image, or part of the body, in order to promote the relaxation response. By minimizing distractions, people learn to focus on internal sensations. This process can promote a sense of calm, control, and mastery, and relax the body. Such techniques have been shown to have positive effects on headaches, hypertension, and some types of acute and chronic pain.