Biofeedback

What is Biofeedback?

Biofeedback is a method that uses specialized techniques and interventions to measure body functions like muscle activity, nerve tension, heart rate, or even brain waves. These methods are provided in realtime. They help you learn how to control your body, better, like calming your heart or relaxing your muscles.

What is Biofeedback Used For?

• Fixing muscle or nerve problems

• Lowering unnecessary stress

• Helping with health troubles

What is CPT Code 90901?

This is the billing code for biofeedback training. It covers:

• Any type of biofeedback (e.g., for muscles, nerves, or even heart rate).

• A session where a trained provider teaches you how to control your body’s functions.

Definition of Biofeedback by the AMA

The American Medical Association (AMA) defines biofeedback as a technique that can use electronic or other instruments to measure physiological processes such as muscle activity, skin temperature, heart rate, or brain waves. These processes are presented to the patient in a visual or auditory format, allowing them to learn how to control these physiological functions consciously.

Biofeedback is typically used for:

• Managing stress

• Improving physical or mental health conditions

• Treating musculoskeletal or neuromuscular dysfunctions

CPT Code Description for Biofeedback

The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set provides specific codes for billing biofeedback. Key biofeedback-related codes include:

1. CPT Code 90901

• Description: Biofeedback training by any modality.

• Usage: This is a general code used for biofeedback regardless of the physiological process monitored (e.g., muscle, heart rate, skin temperature).

• Requirements: Requires direct interaction with the patient and must include instruction for conscious control of the physiological function.

Force progressioN

Force-Progression: This ensures that just the “right level” of treatment intensity, and vigor, is used for what ails you at every session, at any given time, allowing for adjustments and fine-tuning as needed, to avoid “over” or “under-” treatment of your symptoms and limitations during your unique path to full-recovery.

Manual Therapy’s ORiGIN

Manual Therapy, rooted in Egypt around 4000 BCE, became prominent in Western society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Unlike newer practices such as Chiropractics (which emerged in 1895 in Davenport, Iowa), many other field such as physiotherapy have long used “graded mobilizations” that are on a progressive spectrum starting with slowest and gentlest motions of a “grade 1” and upto the quickest and most forceful “ high-velocity thrusts” of the grade 5 mobilization that push beyond a joints current limits (similar to chiropractic techniques).

*Research advises against vigorous techniques such as grade 5 mobilizations, and “chiropractic adjustments” of any kind during the first month of an acute, or sudden, spinal attack or limb symptoms—as that has for over 20 years to worsen the the initial injury in controlled studies.

Directional preference

 

Why Force-Progression and Directional Preference Matter

 

Directional preference: Associated with better outcomes for low back pain. Patients using this method showed a 30% relative improvement on the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) compared to other treatments​(BioMed Central)​.

  • Centralization: Combining directional preference with centralization techniques can lead to even higher success rates, particularly for patients with nerve root involvement​ (Oxford Academic)​.

This holistic approach ensures a faster, more complete recovery, addressing the root cause and helping you achieve lasting relief for optimal health and independence.