Episode Summary

In this episode of What’s in Your Head: Tools for Pain and Dizziness, Dr. Pete Schultz breaks down what biofeedback actually is—and just as importantly, what it isn’t.

Biofeedback is not the treatment.
It’s a measurement tool that lets us see the autonomic nervous system in real time.

The real treatment is still things like breathing, muscle relaxation, visualization, meditation, and mindfulness. Biofeedback simply shows us how the nervous system is responding to those tools, moment by moment. And that matters—because when the nervous system can see what it’s doing, it learns faster.

In this episode, Pete explains:

• What biofeedback is and how it works
• How the autonomic nervous system shifts between fight-or-flight and rest-and-digest
• The main types of biofeedback, including:
  • Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
  • Thermal (skin temperature)
  • Skin conductance (GSR)
  • Muscle tension (EMG)
  • A brief overview of neurofeedback
• The difference between wearables (like WHOOP and Oura) and true biofeedback training
• Why biofeedback can be so helpful for persistent pain, dizziness, headaches, migraines, concussion symptoms, long COVID, and other conditions where the nervous system gets stuck in protection mode

Pete also walks through how biofeedback is used clinically and shares real-world examples from his practice.

At the end of the episode, Pete teaches a guided box breathing exercise—a simple, practical self-regulation tool you can use with or without biofeedback equipment—to help calm and regulate the nervous system.

Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Individualized care from a qualified healthcare professional is important for addressing pain, dizziness, headaches, or neurological symptoms.

If you’re looking for a physical therapy evaluation or treatment, visit https://www.DynamicSportsPT.com
.
For more education and tools related to pain and dizziness, visit https://www.PainAndDizzy.com
.