What is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback (also known as neurotherapy and EEG biofeedback) has been in use by medical professionals for over 50 years to help a wide range of disorders. Neurofeedback, meaning ‘brain’ and ‘input’, specifically monitors and measures brain wave activity to identify irregularities. Once identified, the computer monitors the abnormal brain waves and rewards the individual when the abnormal brain waves improve, training/guiding the brain waves back into a healthy pattern. With repetition of this process over time, the brain will learn to stay in healthy ranges without the aid of the computer.
The result is an improvement in brain regulation, which in turn can reduce or eliminate symptoms. Unlike many other treatments that address the symptoms of disorders, neurofeedback therapy trains brainwaves to alter the structure and function of the brain. As such, many patients report permanent positive changes to their behavior months and years after ending the therapy.
What is the process?
1. Run A Brain Map
The first step is to record an image of the brain using a qEEG. This non-invasive process involves recording your brainwaves for 5 minutes with eyes open and 5 more minutes with eyes closed.
2. Analyze Results
Your brain recording is uploaded to a database and compared to similar individuals with healthy brain activity. Cognitive and emotional issues are identified, as well as irregular brainwave patterns. Customized training protocols are created to show the areas of the brain to train into healthy patterns.
3. Neurofeedback Sessions
Training sessions are usually 30 minutes and pleasant. You watch a movie or listen to music of your choice while wearing photic light glasses. Brainwaves are monitored and using operant conditioning, the stimuli are adjusted to help guide them back into healthy patterns.
4. Nutrition
We offer a customized nutritional program to accompany neurofeedback treatments that optimizes brain health and function.
Clinical success rates for treating common neurological disorders and improving cognitive performance.
Testimonials
Parker M. -Former patient of MyBrainDr
After 20 sessions of neurofeedback, my short-term memory and focus have improved. I’m doing better in school and getting better grades.
R.S.
My ADD symptoms began in middle school. I tried medication and focus websites. After on 5 Neurofeedback sessions, I noticed an increase in my ability to relax and do homework for a longer period of time.
Ronel S. - Parent of son with ADHD
My son with ADHD tried medication for three months--he lost 10 pounds! He looked like a skeleton. After only four Neurofeedback sessions, the teacher said that he was participating in class and doing so much better. Would I recommend Neurofeedback to my friends and family? Yes, yes, yes!
Sarah K.
[My symptoms included] test anxiety and short-term memory loss. I tried therapy and had an IEP in school. After only seven Neurofeedback sessions, I noticed that my anxiety was better. I was more laid back and not talking a mile a minute every day. [I can] concentrate better, [get] better grades, and [have] less anxiety.
While anybody with a brain can benefit from neurofeedback therapy, it has been used primarily for three reasons:
- To help people reduce the symptoms of ADHD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, depression, tinnitus, and many other neurological disorders.
- To improve the cognitive performance of any person who wants to optimize their brain. This can include students, athletes, musicians, business executives, and any person who is looking for an edge with regards to mental fitness and brain optimization.
- To treat sleep disorders and insomnia.
For patients with disorders related to irregular brainwave activity, neurofeedback provides a non-invasive and drug-free alternative to traditional approaches which often include long-term prescriptions and serious side-effects. As an additional benefit, since neurofeedback therapy changes the function of the brain (back towards a normal state), many patients experience long-term improvements.
Finally, for patients who hope to improve their sleep, neurofeedback provides an effective treatment without the risks and side-effects that come with sleeping pills.
For patients wanting to improve their cognitive performance for professional or personal reasons (i.e., unrelated to a neurological condition), neurofeedback offers an opportunity to optimize the brain without risk of side-effects or injury. The key to peak performance, no matter what the specific field, includes concentration, focus, and emotional control. When patients take advantage of neurofeedback therapy, they are being trained to utilize the full potential of their brains as they train for optimal performance.
Neurofeedback targets the four primary brainwaves (Alpha, Beta, Delta, Theta). Each of these brainwaves is responsible for regulating the active and subconscious aspects of your body.
Delta Brainwaves
are associated with deep, dreamless sleep and regeneration. Delta brainwaves occur when you are asleep and are responsible for healing the body.
Theta Brainwaves
are associated with light sleep or extreme relaxation. When your subconscious takes over you start producing Theta brainwaves.
Alpha Brainwaves
occur when you are awake but relaxed and not processing much information. When you first get up and right before you fall asleep, you are generating Alpha waves, as well as when you close your eyes to rest.
Beta Brainwaves
are associated with the mental state most people are in during the day and most of their waking lives. When you are alert and focused, you are producing Beta brainwaves.
While each of these brainwaves is responsive for different body functions, they all are equally important to your health and well-being. Researchers have known for decades the correlation between irregular brain waves and common neurological conditions, and neurofeedback is the first field to directly target these irregular brain waves and restore them to normal ranges.
There is a wealth of research in support of neurofeedback therapy, including hundreds of published and peer-reviewed studies related to dozens of neurological disorders. Unfortunately, the benefits of neurofeedback remain largely unknown to the general public, and even to many medical professionals.
In fact, an important organization for publicizing biofeedback research, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, is on record stating that “There is a large body of scientific research documenting the effectiveness of neurofeedback for several areas of psychological or neurodevelopmental difficulty. These studies have been published in numerous scientific and professional journals in the US and abroad. Unfortunately, many healthcare professionals are not aware of the extent of the research support.”
Parker M.
Former patient of MyBrainDr.com
“After 20 sessions of neurofeedback, my short term memory and focus have improved. I’m doing better in school and getting better grades”
R. S.
My ADD symptoms began in middle school. I tried medication and focus websites. After only 5 Neurofeedback sessions, I noticed an increase in my ability to relax and do homework for a longer period of time.
