Biofeedback is a method by which a patient can learn to fully and deeply relax their body, and otherwise influence certain physical processes, to improve their health. This is accomplished through the use of precise instruments, which measure bodily processes and feed that information back to the patient via a computer display. Having access to real time, immediate information about what is going on inside the body enables the patient to make specific changes in thinking and behavior, and see the physiological results of those changes right away. Over time, a patient can learn to control the bodily process – including pain perception – voluntarily without the help of the instrument…so they can use it and apply it in their everyday life for good.

One example of biofeedback treatment would be the use of skin temperature training or thermography to treat vascular headaches. These types of headaches are associated with the constriction of blood vessels that results in a reduction in blood flow. In the peripheral areas of the body, this restricted blood flow causes a reduction in skin temperature that may only be detectable by a sensitive biofeedback instrument. Treatment would involve measuring these small temperature changes through a sensor placed on a fingertip, and showing the person those changes on a computer display. The person would watch the display and try to increase their temperature measure by changing thoughts and feelings. Over time they would learn to warm their skin temperature, thereby opening their blood vessels and increasing blood flow. This method ultimately increases blood flow to the head, reducing the incidence of vascular type headaches.

Utilizing Biofeedback, Dr. Rainwater specializes in treating:
• Chronic Pain 
• Anxiety
• Headaches (Migraine and Tension)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and
• High blood pressure