**5.1. Breathing technique**

Implementation of biofeedback included vascular training which means 25 sessions of vascular training on a. temporalis, learning the modality of vasoconstriction and vasodilatation. Each training session was 30 min. We used the device that had the vascular training. The goal was to have the amplitude of BVP signal smaller at training phase than relax phase. The

results of the few training we shown in **Figures 1**–**3**.

**Figure 2.** Vascular training with BVP sensor on a. temporalis (after 1 month).

**Figure 1.** Vascular training with BVP sensor on a. temporalis (session 2).

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Breathing is a willing and reluctant function, which means we can, but we do not have to pay attention to breathing. Breathing is under control of the breathing center located in the extended spinal cord, which means that the breathing takes place without our influence. It is controlled by an autonomic nervous system that manages various functions in the body and is often not recognized or affected by them.

How then to affect the function of breathing? Breathing can be controlled by a conscious mechanism of breathing an attempt to relax the body and slow down the physiological processes. Today, when the challenges—and therefore stressors—in everyday life are very intense, body relaxation for the sake of health is very important. People who use certain breathing techniques feel their benefit. They are more relaxed, they feel happier, and they do not feel in their own body of great pressures of everyday life. To explain why breathing is important and how it affects a person, we need to look at the vascular system that is also affected by the autonomic nervous system. The most frequent changes due to the great pressures in life most people feel in that system. Mostly, it is a disruption of heartburn, accelerated breathing, a sense of losing air, and "kicking in the heart"—all these are symptoms that lead to bad feelings and the inability to function every day.

Common respiratory changes are associated with retardation or acceleration of the bloodstream and are caused by the sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic nervous system. The first accelerates it, and the other serves to slow down all the functions in the body. The same happens with breathing—in the sympathetic work of the autonomic nervous system, the breathing is faster, shallow, and irregular, while in the parasympathetic effect, breathing is slower, which most commonly occur during rest and sleep without our influence. For the body to function normally, it is necessary to balance both systems.

**Figure 4.** "Breathe in" with the diaphragm.

Experts engaged in the vascular system of research have found that reducing cardiac variability leads to a greater inclination to the bloodstream disease, and deaths are also more common. Also, biofeedback use aims to increase heart rate variability by using breathing techniques. So, breathing is a tool that we use not only to relax but to influence the well-being of the bloodstream system. The breathing used in the training itself is breathing with the diaphragm (breathing with belly) that breathes the lowest part of the respiratory system—the diaphragm—as we show in **Figure 4**.

**3.** If you are feeling comfortable, place your palms on the belly, at the height of the navel.

**Figure 5.** Slowly "breathe in" through your nose about 3 seconds and inflate your belly such as balloon.

Biofeedback and Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Migraine

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.76534

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**5.** Slowly breathe through your nose counting in yourself by three, inflating your belly as if

**8.** When you are breathing out, open your mouth slightly, and slowly exhale by counting to

Only the body will stimulate your next breath and repeat the cycle. Exercise at least once a

According to the treatment of the person with a migraine, we have done a total of 25 treatments. Three modalities were used at each treatment: neurofeedback, vascular training, and breathing techniques. Duration of one treatment was 1 h and 30 min. The training sessions were done 2–3 times per week. The results were a reduction in the frequency of migraine attacks, as well as a reduction in pain severity during the attacks. The reduction in the frequency of migraine attacks and in the strength of pain was gradual. In September,

**4.** Close your eyes and relax your body.

you were blowing a balloon (**Figure 5**).

six (until you breathe all the air) (**Figure 6**).

**6. Results and discussion**

**6.** Try to keep the rest of the body relaxed and not lift it up.

**7.** It is important that you take as much air as is enough to fill your belly.

**Figure 6.** With open mouth slightly, and slowly exhale by counting to six (until you out all the air).

day. You can use it several times if you feel the need for relaxation.

Breathing training at a migraine was used by breathing with the diaphragm in the duration of minimum 10 min at one session. The person had instructions to use this breathing also at home at least once a day taking care that the breathing is taking place without the influence of external distractors. Breathing technique is a recommended method for relaxation and to reduce stress which is important for people with a migraine. Breathing with the diaphragm is the healthiest breathing we can use. The aim is to provide the best possible exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The body of the belly breathing curves upward, so that the lower part of the chest is enlarged and the lower part of the lung fills with air, as the belly breathes. With this breathing, we get a full effect: the fullness of the ribs, the bones, the spine, and the scurvy and thus the higher lung capacity.

In people who are often affected by different stressors, the use of breathing techniques is of utmost importance. Breathing encourages the parasympathetic action of the autonomic nervous system that slows down and relaxes our body. Breathing is a mechanism that affects HRV and changes that will lead to optimum functioning of the individual.

The daily use of breathing with the diaphragm for at least 10 min leads to the stimulation of protective mechanisms in our body and the creation of so-called protective "receptors" that protect the body from long-term adverse effects of stress. Below is a detailed description of breathing by using the diaphragm.

#### **5.2. Instruction for breathing training—10 min**


**Figure 5.** Slowly "breathe in" through your nose about 3 seconds and inflate your belly such as balloon.

**Figure 6.** With open mouth slightly, and slowly exhale by counting to six (until you out all the air).


Experts engaged in the vascular system of research have found that reducing cardiac variability leads to a greater inclination to the bloodstream disease, and deaths are also more common. Also, biofeedback use aims to increase heart rate variability by using breathing techniques. So, breathing is a tool that we use not only to relax but to influence the well-being of the bloodstream system. The breathing used in the training itself is breathing with the diaphragm (breathing with belly) that breathes the lowest part of the respiratory system—the

Breathing training at a migraine was used by breathing with the diaphragm in the duration of minimum 10 min at one session. The person had instructions to use this breathing also at home at least once a day taking care that the breathing is taking place without the influence of external distractors. Breathing technique is a recommended method for relaxation and to reduce stress which is important for people with a migraine. Breathing with the diaphragm is the healthiest breathing we can use. The aim is to provide the best possible exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The body of the belly breathing curves upward, so that the lower part of the chest is enlarged and the lower part of the lung fills with air, as the belly breathes. With this breathing, we get a full effect: the fullness of the ribs, the bones, the spine, and the scurvy and thus the higher lung capacity. In people who are often affected by different stressors, the use of breathing techniques is of utmost importance. Breathing encourages the parasympathetic action of the autonomic nervous system that slows down and relaxes our body. Breathing is a mechanism that affects

The daily use of breathing with the diaphragm for at least 10 min leads to the stimulation of protective mechanisms in our body and the creation of so-called protective "receptors" that protect the body from long-term adverse effects of stress. Below is a detailed description of

HRV and changes that will lead to optimum functioning of the individual.

**1.** Take a comfortable position and remove anything that sticks around you. **2.** Relax the upper body muscles (face, neck, shoulders, upper back, arms).

diaphragm—as we show in **Figure 4**.

**Figure 4.** "Breathe in" with the diaphragm.

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breathing by using the diaphragm.

**5.2. Instruction for breathing training—10 min**


Only the body will stimulate your next breath and repeat the cycle. Exercise at least once a day. You can use it several times if you feel the need for relaxation.
