Biofeedback is an outstanding way to change behaviour that directly creates physical symptoms such as pain and tension. Biofeedback - as a 'mind over matter' form of therapy - is a system of education and treatment (based on monitoring biological signals produced by the body) in which people are taught to improve their health and performance. With great sensitivity and precision, electronic instruments monitor a person's internal bodily functions and display the monitored information back to the patient. This process increases awareness of the physiological activity in various parts of the body and in various organ systems. This new awareness then allows the therapists to teach you mental or physical exercises that can help you effect the function that's causing the problem. You can easily gauge your success by noting any changes from the machine. Gradually, you'll learn to associate successful thoughts and actions with the desired change in your involuntary responses. Biofeedback is very different from other forms of mind-body therapy in that it seeks control over specific, measurable physiological reactions that have gone amiss. Although many people initially viewed this therapy with scepticism, researchers proved that many individuals could alter their involuntary responses by being 'fed back' information about what was occurring in their bodies. Biofeedback may help people with chronic pain, including the pain of arthritis, sports injuries, muscle spasms and headache. Behavioural Medicine Institute of Australia www.behavioural-medicine.com The Biofeedback Specialists http://www.biofeednz.co.nz