How biofeedback therapy work in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Last Updated on August 28, 2022 by Dr. Abadullah Sajid Bashir

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a digestive system disorder in which the patient shows symptoms that cause him great discomfort.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, lumbar pain, etc. IBS is a chronic problem so the patient has to either take regular medication or use a diet that is suitable for him.

For Detailed and comprehensive information about Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Click Here

In the same way, people go for some therapies which can help them to get rid of these annoying symptoms. One of these therapies is biofeedback therapy.

Biofeedback therapy is a form of non medicinal therapy that enables the patient to control some of the involuntary actions that take place inside the body instead of taking medication.
Involuntary functions such as blood pressure and heartbeat, respiratory system, nervous system, etc. are involved. If there is a disorder, then it will start working properly and the body will return to normal after this kind of therapy. [1]https://www.psychiatry.org/File Library/Psychiatrists/Directories/Library-and-Archive/task-force-reports/tfr1979_Biofeedback.pdf [2]An Optimized EMG and GSR Biofeedback Therapy for Chronic TTH on SF-36 Scores of Different MMBD Modes on Various Medical Symptoms | SpringerLink

What is biofeedback therapy used for?

Biofeedback therapy is used to treat a variety of diseases, especially those involving involuntary actions, if any problem arises. Diseases and disorders such as heart disease, diarrhea, mental illness, stomach disorders, blood pressure, body muscle disorder, Depression, IBS can be treated. [3]Biofeedback therapy – ScienceDirect

Types of biofeedback therapy

There are basically three types of biofeedback therapy

  • Electromyo biofeedback therapy (Electromyography)
  • Thermal biofeedback therapy
  • Electroencephalogram biofeedback therapy

Electromyo biofeedback therapy (Electromyography)

It has to do with the muscles, that is, the ability of the muscles to function determine over time. This type of therapy done to detect neuromuscular abnormalities. During the process small electrodes fix/ insert in the skin or muscle for detection of result.

Thermal biofeedback therapy

In thermal biofeedback, body temperature is noted over time and an attempt is made to correct any changes that may occur.

Electroencephalogram biofeedback therapy

It has to do with the brain, that is, the nerve messages that go to the brain and from the brain to the body are examined and tried to control it.

In biofeedback therapy, care is taken to ensure that the patient is mentally prepared for this type of treatment and that the necessary documentation is prepared so that it can be completed very easily.

How to treat an IBS patient with the help of biofeedback therapy

Patients with IBS have electrodes applied to different parts of the body, especially the abdomen.
And then the activity of the body is measured so that the activity of the body can be checked along with the nerve waves in the body.
If the activity is inappropriate, then the patient is trained to try to recover or bring it back to normal so that the patient has least some symptoms of IBS.
The patient’s data is shown on the computer screen, how the patient’s brain and gut muscles are working. And gut the muscles working at their normal pace. Doing so can reduce the symptoms of IBS. [4]A Biofeedback-Assisted Stress Management Program for Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: a Randomised Controlled Trial | Exarchopoulou | EMBnet.journal [5]Biofeedback for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome – PMC (nih.gov) 

These types of therapies are present in many part of world. This is not a permanent solution for IBS, but with other measure like food habits, behavior adjustment and with prescribed medicine you can got benefit from this therapy. 

Written By:

  • Dr. Abadullah Sajid Bashir

Reviewed By:

  • Dr. Muhammad Khan Malik

 For Reviewer Detail Click Here

Leave a Comment

[rank_math_breadcrumb]