WHAT IS NEUROFEEDBACK?
WHAT ARE BRAINWAVES?
WHY DOES NEUROFEEDBACK WORK?
HOW DOES NEUROFEEDBACK WORK?
CAN NEUROFEEDBACK HELP ME OR SOMEONE I CARE ABOUT?
CAN CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM NEUROFEEDBACK?
HOW CAN NEUROFEEDBACK BE SUCCESSFUL WITH SO MANY
CONDITIONS?
HOW LONG DOES TRAINING TAKE?
WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT?
WHAT IS NEUROFEEDBACK?
Neurofeedback refers to biofeedback of brainwave patterns. It
is a method of retraining the brain to work more effectively.
It is most commonly used to increase attention.
In addictions, the technology is used
to reduce cravings and compulsions, to decrease symptoms of
mental illness such as anxiety, and
depression. Neurofeedback is commonly
used to decrease pain such as fibromyalgia
and has been very effective in eradicating migraines.
High achievers such as business men and women use it to become
more efficient. This is all done by adjusting brain waves.
WHAT ARE BRAINWAVES?
The brainwaves are the result of the sum of electrical activity
in the brain. Different brainwaves are associated with different
consciousness states. For example, very slow waves (delta) are
is associated with sleep or low activity. The next slowest brainwaves
(theta) are associated with creativity and thinking in images
and an under focused state. The most prominent brainwave is
alpha which is associated with meditation and being relaxed.
Beta is associated with increased focus. When we do Neurofeedback,
we adjust specific brainwaves so the brain works more effectively.
WHY DOES NEUROFEEDBACK WORK?
Just like our weight, the brain has a set point. We may not
like our present weight, but we tend to be stuck there. When
someone tries to lose weight, the person gets to one set point
and gets stuck. It takes a while for the body to move to another
lower weight. The same thing is true of brain waves. They are
set in a particular pattern that may not be optimal. In this
pattern, one may feel anxious, or depressed, have cravings for
food or drugs, experience fatigue, or have migraines. When we
change the brain wave patterns, they tend to find another set
point. At the new set point, the person functions better. The
individual feels more relaxed, happier, attends better, experiences
less pain, has less intense cravings for food or drugs, experiences
an improvement in migraines, and so on, depending on the purpose
of training.
HOW DOES NEUROFEEDBACK WORK?
Electrodes are placed put on a person's head and a machine reads
the brainwave frequencies from the client’s head. A computer
program gives the client visual or auditory feedback to help
the person increase or decrease the amplitudes of the waves.
For example, a person watches as a thermometer, which represents
the person’s brainwave, moves up and down. The person learns
to “hold” the brainwave under a threshold that has
been set by the Neurofeedback therapist.
Over a period of time the client trains his/her brainwaves to
a new set point. The brain is like a muscle in that it requires
many repetitions to reach the desired end. Like weight loss
and weight training, progress is slow but rewarding. Other people
may notice changes before the client. Progress often continues
once the client has completed treatment.
CAN NEUROFEEDBACK HELP ME OR SOMEONE I CARE
ABOUT?
Neurofeedback can be used to enhance memory and focus,
improve sleep and mood, stop worrying,
alleviate fatigue, chronic pain, and
fibromyalgia, reduce
frequency of seizures in some cases, help restore cognitive
skills and positive emotional feelings.
CAN CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM NEUROFEEDBACK?
Yes. Neurofeedback is commonly used for children with
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It is more likely
to be used if the parents do not want to use medications, the
medications are causing side effects, the medications are not
working well enough, or the child is refusing to take medications.
Neurofeedback is also being used for learning disabilities such
as dyslexia, autism and related disorders, anxiety and depression,
and reactive attachment disorder. Other modalities of treatment
are generally used in addition. For example, a child with autism
related disorder frequently receives occupational and speech
therapy.
HOW CAN NEUROFEEDBACK BE SUCCESSFUL WITH
SO MANY CONDITIONS?
The brain is responsible for many functions. Different parts
of the brain have specialized tasks. For example, the front
of the brain (frontal lobes and prefrontal cortex) is responsible
for attention; the back and sides of the brain (the parietal
and temporal lobes) put information of different types (sound
and sight) together, and the area over the ears (the temporal
lobes) is responsible for hearing and memory. Normalizing the
brainwaves helps relieve symptoms and maximize brain function.
HOW LONG DOES TRAINING TAKE?
The number of sessions needed depends on several factors. While
most clients train easily, some have more difficulty and so
training may take longer. Some conditions require more sessions
than others.
WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT?
Neurofeedback is reimbursed by some insurance companies and
not others depending on diagnosis and the insurance policy.
Or partial payment may be available. Payment is the responsibility
of the client.
Insurance companies usually pay for older modalities of treatment
such as medication. Often, insurance companies do not cover
tried and true services such as acupuncture, out patient nutrition
services, or wellness services so neurofeedback may not be covered
by your plan. |
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