biofeedback machine... does it work???

[sick and tired 47]

HI All! I  spoken to someone who claims they worked with a Naturopath, MD who uses a biofeedback machine to help diagnosis and treat their condition. She said he helped her immensley and with quick results ( weeks).
    I then got the phone number and spoke to the Dr himself ( he takes calls). He explained his way is using a "biofeedback" machine he can check for many things such as viruses, bacteria,allergies,ect - similar  approach as muscle testing but faster to  information/results. He also uses blood tests to diagnosis and treat patients.
  He then uses natural herbs/remedies but said proper  diet is the most important key to improving our health and maintaining it,-  the " gut " is the immune system of the body.
I googled him...  several people who said he was a quack but lots who said he has helped when no one else did. He has been practicing for a loooong time.
   Anyone ever hear of biofeedback machine doing this?? And results of the this treatment???

[OneinColorado]

I realize that this thread started almost 10 years ago, still, I will post my comment for those who may search for answers and stumble upon this article.
After 16 years of debilitating fatigue, after 16 years of going from doctor to doctor who gave me no answer other than "depression" I finally went to a natural path doctor who uses the Xyto scan. The Xyto scan immediately diagnosed my severe food sensitivities and in only 45 days after this test, I felt like a normal human. Something that skeptics say "hogwash" about gave me relief where umpteen MD's couldn't give me "SQUAT". I have since used the BAX for my allergies and I will next week begin my neurooptimal biofeedback. My grandson has had 6 treatments and was able to stop his ADD medications without any problems.  To me, the biggest FRAUDS are those who spout that alternative treatments do not work without even trying them themselves! Those who wrongfully tell others that these treatments don't work are doing a greater disservice than help. What? You say alternative treatments are all in the mind?? Well, if it works, why does it matter how it works? The mind can make you sick, the mind can make you better.

[Paxiled]

I'm probably the only person still here from the original post, and I stand by what I stated -- these machines don't test anything and can't test anything.  What the naturopath is actually doing is what any natural practitioner would do without the machine, which is to ask you what's going on and then through trial and error and a general knowledge of what people tend to suffer from most often use the remedies that would be used for that problem.  The fact your naturopath is helping you is no surprise, practitioners of natural medicine have been helping people for centuries.  Sometimes this is the best way to go, sometimes allopathic medicine is the best way to go, and usually a combination of all known medicine is the best way to go instead of people walling themselves off into camps.  Almost everyone has the same food sensitivities, mostly wheat and dairy, but there are just some common ones that are the first thing to try with anyone -- even when I worked in a health food store we knew to tell anyone with any problem that doctors weren't helping with to eliminate wheat and dairy and very often it fixed the problem.  You don't need a phony machine to do this.  But I'm with you, any medicine that works, works, but alternative treatments are definitely not all in the mind.  That's just propaganda put out by pharmaceutical companies and doctors who are paid to do this to protect them from competition.  Natural remedies, dietary changes, lifestyle changes are all real and have real effects, not imaginary ones.  The important thing is, you're doing well, and on that we should all be able to agree.

[OneinColorado]

I would be interested in knowing your background in these machines and your experience in results. My intent of my original post was to encourage those who have been let down by the MD's in traditional medicine who have heard about these such treatments to not take advise of people giving out "opinions" and to try them for themselves. I stand behind my original post, also, and speak from experience. The results are real, the money spent is well worth it.

[Paxiled]

And you've said your piece and said it well.  I've said mine.  Neither you nor I nor the naturopath has any background in these machines because there isn't any.  Do some independent research, but just think logically -- if there really was a magic machine that could tell you what foods you were allergic to and everything that was out of balance in your body, everyone would be using them, including doctors, because it would allow them to sell more treatment of the type they use, too.  There is no such magic machine.  Surely you have to see that.  Now, my background is varied, but I spent 18 years managing health food stores and therefore worked with a lot of natural practitioners, as we served as their pharmacy in those days before Whole Foods eliminated that service model of the industry.  But I think you need to read exactly what I said, which is, the so-called alternative medicine isn't alternative at all, it's just medicine, and it has worked for centuries for some things and doesn't work for others.  Just like allopathic medicine, the new kid on the block.  I agree that your naturopath helped you by putting you on a different path to health that your regular doc doesn't do or care about.  All I was saying is that the machine didn't do that, it can't do that, but the naturopath's training did do that and is doing that and a naturopath would have done that before these machines came on the market.  I'm sure there are things they can test, but basically biofeedback refers to physical processes going on in your body that can be studied if they put out some electrical impulse or force that can be measured and compared person to person.  But food allergies don't put out that kind of impulse and therefore can't be measured that way, though there are ways nutritionists do test for them.  In those 18 years I saw some great stuff but also a lot of bogus stuff, as you would in any industry.  I think you and your son should continue to see the naturopath because you are getting the help you need, my only concern is about the marketing that often gets done that is not fact based.  So other than that machine, which I have doubts about but don't require anyone else to have doubts about, just to do their research so they don't get taken.  Peace.

[MadhaviMa]

I've been seeing a Naturopathic Physician who uses biofeedback or EDS testing for almost 25 years. The diagnoses are always "spot-on" and the machine also lets her know which herbal or homeopathic remedies are the correct ones for me to take to alleviate my condition. Practically, I don't see anyone else. It has been a "life-saver" for me and my overall health. Not too costly (although, of course, insurance won't cover it), non-invasive and immediate results. Couldn't ask for more!

[2feelGood]

I spoke with another friend about biofeedback last night.  He said he had tried it.  It was how he realized how gluten intollerent he was.  He said it helped him to monitor his intollerance and get to where he can do it without thinking about it.
  

[2feelGood]

Exactly how my friend just described this to me.  She was able to go into remission from stage one breast cancer for almost 2 yrs doing biofeedback and also this test http://oncoblotlabs.com/for-the-physician/
Her cancer just came back (per the above test) but is so minut she said it would not show up on a mammogram.  If things have not changed in the 2 weeks that she has made dietary changes (she has drastically changed her diet the last few yrs) she will take a pill that fights the Onco (?).  
Anyway she doe the biofeedback every so many months.  It can tell if she has had chocolate (a no no), if she can have eggs again, eating too many avocados, not enough protien, lots of things.  
I am tempted to try the biofeedback.  She was very skeptical and is amazed with how it all works so well.

[NevadaTruths]

I think homeopathic medicine attempts to shroud itself with every "feel good" and mysterious concept available thinking that enough mis-direction will eventually confuse the patient to believe! Now they add high tech words to their devices(is there a more futuristic ,powerfull and validating word than QUANTUM). These machines are glorified Lie Detectors..Just like Muscle testing,they will not entertain a rational argument against it,instead insisting that all can be told. Constantly ignoring any scientific reasoning against such things ,they choose to point out the one time they may have been right when anyone just by throwing out a slew problems would of found one correct diagnosis by accicent.I pointed out all the scientific flaws with Muscle Testing to a homeopath like a)impossiblility of measuring strength accurately   b)leading peoples responses by the order of the testing (bad product tested 1st then they say now try this)   c) although everything has a natural energy -to feel the benefits from this a product has to be broken down chemically by body unless it is radioactive.That said ,the placebo affect is a very powerfull tool using a persons belief to help them.A person who believes they are being cured has a better chance of healing.They are likely to be less stressed there for stronger mentally.They is validity to that.Trust that you are in good hands and to a point you are.This unfortunately involves suspending rational thinking.Its ironic and a contradiction ,but belief is a positive mental force that ultimately can positively influence health.Welcome blind faith but BEWARE !!

[OneinColorado]

Your comment started out "I think".... not very scientific. As a matter of fact, sounds to me like pure opinion. Did you even try any alternative therapy treatments? Don't tell people your long detailed opinions, facts are much more powerful.

[sb12345]

My husband and i went to a Dr that used a bio feedback machine. that thing told the Dr things we never exposed to him. it was incredibly spooky to me how accurate it was. I am now a believer.

[Babs7733]

Hi all, I also see a N.D. Homeopathic Dr. which  uses the bio feed back machine , I wasnt to sure how real it was untill the read out started exposing things about me and my body that I hadnt disclosed.It made a believer out of me, also it disclosed root of physical aliments that my M. D. couldn't find cause of , with natural herbs and vitamins  treatment worked quickly and I haven't had anymore issues. Im very very positive about bio-feedback and natual homeopathic D. R.'s and recommend  to everyone.

[sick and tired 47]

Thanks for the input. I don't know where your naturopath is... the one I am seeing is in Tx. He uses "imprinted meds/herbs" and supplements. Are you familiar with this ?
Yes, his machine is what you describe here.
I have been following his plan for a month, no significant difference except my heart rate seems to be more stable ( I have PSVT).
   He says he works on physical issues first -I had lots of bacterias and viruses and then 2nd stage is emotional causes-.
Not sure what to think except I was referred by someone who says he helped her when no one else could do anything-such as your case.
Thanks for any other info or support you can give me.
I appreciate any input.

[ajempson]

my homeopathy practitioner uses it.  i believe it works and here is why.  1st, it tests your organs/nerves/everything through your maridians (sp?)  Everything runs through your organs and into your finger tips and toes by your maridians.  You hold one end (a bar) and the other end looks somewhat like a pen tip, and you put it to each of these points (acupuncturists use the same points) and if it reads under 50 then it is underactive, or not working correctly, and if it is over 50 then there is an inflamation or irritation.  Each point has to do with an area or organ.  When it does not read 50, then the practitioner is able to put different things (homeopathic drops, medication, herbs, etc) on the machine and it will either go to 50 or not, if it doesnt go to 50, then that specific drop/herb/whatever will not fix the problem.  the reason i believe it works is that i am a diabetic and have thyroid disease, and i was on metformin, glyburide, actos and lantus insulin forever and was still at around 150 fasting and the doctors were at a loss of what more they could do.  it wasn't until i started looking into alternative medicine and found this practitioner who uses one that i started getting results and have slowly been able to back off a lot of my medications.  also, my 9 year old daughter who suffered from headache's and occasional migraines 1-4/5x/week went through cat scans, allergy testing, everything you can think of for the doctors to be at a loss and just say "take ibuprofin" and it was this practitioner and this machine that found it was her gallbladder and was able to give her drops and she no longer suffers from headaches.  So I believe.  :)  and blood sugars don't lie.

[Paxiled]

The only biofeedback machine I have heard of, and used, measures physiological reactions much as a polygraph does.  It's used by psychologists and psychiatrists to teach patients how to regulate their anxiety levels by regulating their blood pressure and heart rate by learning to control the temperature of the hands.  It's also used in the same way for migraines, which is a form of vascular headache.  It does not measure anything remotely like viruses or bacteria or anything else, nor do I see how any machine could discover such information since it flows in the blood and could only be found by testing the blood.  I had a naturopath who used some odd machine he plugged in and held up in the air when choosing homeopathic remedies and also said it worked like muscle testing.  Keep in mind that all available scientific studies show muscle testing doesn't actually work, but we've had this discussion before -- you can find it in the archives.  Look, there are all kinds of kooks who become naturopaths, but the final question is, how do they choose how to treat you?  For homeopathy, for example, why not just use the materia medica?  For herbs, it's not like we don't know what they do and what they're for.  And the fact is, most naturopaths can't diagnose viruses or bacterial infections or serious diseases because they lack the tools even if they're learned how.  It's best to get the diagnosis from a doctor, then treat it with a naturopath.  If it's just general health you're concerned about, then you don't need the doctor.  But naturopaths are no different than any other professional -- some are good, some are hacks.

[SassyLassie]

I am not too familar with bio-feedback or the machine. I know some folks really swear by it, but, as for me, my naturopath has not recommended it, actually, none of my naturopaths have. I guess, like anything else, for some it is great, and others, it is useless.

He is right about the proper diet and vitamins, minerals and herbs, these are needed to keep the body in a state of health and everyone needs them.