Biofeedback for short-term back pain

Does it work?

We don't know. There hasn't been any good research to say whether or not this treatment works for people with any kind of back pain.

What is it?

Biofeedback is supposed to help you relax and reduce the tension, and therefore the pain, in your back muscles.

It is based on the idea that you can learn to control some of the things that your body normally does automatically, such as controlling the tension in your muscles.

Biofeedback is a technique designed to help people control the tension in their back muscles. To begin with, you wear a small electronic monitoring device that measures how tense your muscles are. It does this by recording the electrical activity in your muscles. You'll be taught how to relax (maybe through meditation) and to visualise what a relaxed muscle feels like. The electronic monitor will beep or flash if your muscles relax, and your brain will start to associate the practice of relaxation with reduced tension in your muscles.

Biofeedback may be used by behavioural psychologists. It can take quite a long time to learn biofeedback techniques, and they tend to be suggested as an option for people with long-term (chronic) back pain.

How can it help?

There haven't been any good studies showing that biofeedback helps back pain.

Why should it work?

The theory is that you can train your brain to relax tense muscles. Generally, people feel better when they feel they are doing something for themselves to help their back pain.

Can it be harmful?

None of the studies we have looked at measured whether biofeedback can be harmful. But generally it's thought to be fairly safe.

What's the evidence for biofeedback for short-term back pain?

Glossary

psychologist: A psychologist is trained to study the human mind and human behaviour. A clinical psychologist provides mental health care in hospitals, clinics, schools or to private patients.

This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.