Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback is best used to treat psychological symptoms and disorders stemming from "brain dysregulation." This dysregulation refers to abnormal amounts of brain activity within certain areas of the brain, whether they are over-active or under-active. It is not uncommon for individuals to have these areas of over-stimulation or under-stimulation, but this dysregulation may go on to cause psychological symptoms or disorders. Such disorders include behavior disorders, various sleep disorders, migraines, and emotional disturbances. In clinical settings, neurofeedback has been most frequently utilized by those with special needs and conditions such as seizures, autism, cerebral palsy, and brain injury. Additionally, neurofeedback training has also been seen to enhance performance in athletes, artists, students, and management personnel.
Specific disorders that neurofeedback has been shown to treat effectively include:
Specific disorders that neurofeedback has been shown to treat effectively include:
- ADHD/ADD
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mild brain injury
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder
- Seizure/Epilepsy
- Stress Management
- Improvement of the peak performance
Brain Mapping (Assessment)
The initial session for neurofeedback will be an "assessment" to record your brain's current baseline. This procedure is called a "quantitative EEG" (qEEG) and serves as both a "map" to determine what sort of training may be best for the patient, and a reference point to see one's progress after multiple training sessions. To ensure accurate results, the patient should avoid caffeine intake and prescription drugs that affect the nervous system before taking any EEG (including the qEEG).
An EEG, or an electroencephalography, monitors brain activity through the skull. EEG is used to help diagnose certain seizure disorders, brain tumors, brain damage from head injuries, inflammation of the brain and/or spinal cord, alcoholism, certain psychiatric disorders, and metabolic and degenerative disorders that affect the brain. EEGs are also used to evaluate sleep disorders, monitor brain activity when a patient has been fully anesthetized or loses consciousness, and confirm brain death.
This painless, risk-free test can be performed in a doctor’s office, hospital or testing facility. A series of cup-like electrodes are attached to the patient’s scalp, either with a special conducting paste or with extremely fine needles. The electrodes (also called "leads") are small devices that are attached to wires and carry the electrical energy of the brain to a machine for reading. A very low electrical current is sent through the electrodes and the baseline brain energy is recorded. The electrodes transmit the resulting changes in brain wave patterns to a computer program which will store the information for analysis. Since movement and nervousness can change brain wave patterns, patients are usually asked to relax during the test, which can take around an hour to complete. Some facilities even provide recliners or beds to facilitate relaxation. Testing for specific disorders, however, requires the EEG to be performed while the patient is sleeping and takes least 3 hours to complete.
The initial session for neurofeedback will be an "assessment" to record your brain's current baseline. This procedure is called a "quantitative EEG" (qEEG) and serves as both a "map" to determine what sort of training may be best for the patient, and a reference point to see one's progress after multiple training sessions. To ensure accurate results, the patient should avoid caffeine intake and prescription drugs that affect the nervous system before taking any EEG (including the qEEG).
An EEG, or an electroencephalography, monitors brain activity through the skull. EEG is used to help diagnose certain seizure disorders, brain tumors, brain damage from head injuries, inflammation of the brain and/or spinal cord, alcoholism, certain psychiatric disorders, and metabolic and degenerative disorders that affect the brain. EEGs are also used to evaluate sleep disorders, monitor brain activity when a patient has been fully anesthetized or loses consciousness, and confirm brain death.
This painless, risk-free test can be performed in a doctor’s office, hospital or testing facility. A series of cup-like electrodes are attached to the patient’s scalp, either with a special conducting paste or with extremely fine needles. The electrodes (also called "leads") are small devices that are attached to wires and carry the electrical energy of the brain to a machine for reading. A very low electrical current is sent through the electrodes and the baseline brain energy is recorded. The electrodes transmit the resulting changes in brain wave patterns to a computer program which will store the information for analysis. Since movement and nervousness can change brain wave patterns, patients are usually asked to relax during the test, which can take around an hour to complete. Some facilities even provide recliners or beds to facilitate relaxation. Testing for specific disorders, however, requires the EEG to be performed while the patient is sleeping and takes least 3 hours to complete.
Neurofeedback Training
Neurofeedback trains skills of self-regulation. Self-regulation is a necessary part of good brain function, and self-regulation training allows the central nervous system to function better. Essentially, the training session programs are used to train brain function so that the brain gradually learns to function more efficiently.
The Brainmaster 24E, BrainAvatar software provides real-time activities such as games, interactive soundtracks, video dimmer-screens and more which are controlled by the patient's brain waves. While the patient may only consciously see a character move and stop, or hear a song play discontinuously, the overall brain is actually moderating its own activity to more appropriate patterns which will allow for success in the game or to play a song continuously, for example. This feedback, along with the therapist's directions and suggestions, encourages the brain to eventually always function optimally - in the way that is rewarded by the training.
Neurofeedback trains skills of self-regulation. Self-regulation is a necessary part of good brain function, and self-regulation training allows the central nervous system to function better. Essentially, the training session programs are used to train brain function so that the brain gradually learns to function more efficiently.
The Brainmaster 24E, BrainAvatar software provides real-time activities such as games, interactive soundtracks, video dimmer-screens and more which are controlled by the patient's brain waves. While the patient may only consciously see a character move and stop, or hear a song play discontinuously, the overall brain is actually moderating its own activity to more appropriate patterns which will allow for success in the game or to play a song continuously, for example. This feedback, along with the therapist's directions and suggestions, encourages the brain to eventually always function optimally - in the way that is rewarded by the training.
Forms
Below are digital copies of our intake forms and service agreement for your convenience. You may simply review them here, or fill them out and bring them with you to your first appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is neurofeedback used in therapy?
- What is the difference between neurofeedback and biofeedback?
- How does neurofeedback work?
- Who would benefit from neurofeedback?
- What kind of results can I expect?
- How many sessions does it take to treat AD(H)D?
1. How is neurofeedback used in therapy?
Neurofeedback is an advanced neurological technology that uses computers to visualize how the brain functions in real time. The supporting theory has been well research over six decades in Europe as well in North America. Some professionals in the field called neurofeedback "yoga for the brain". As put by Thomas Collura, clinical director of the Brain Enrichment Center and founder of BrainMaster Inc., neurofeedback is like an exercise for the brain. Through neurofeedback, you are specifically exercising the brain’s ability to manage its own states, to be calm enough, to be awake enough, to be focused enough, and ultimately to do what you want to do.
2. What is the difference between neurofeedback and biofeedback?
Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback. Many clients conflate the two terms, likely because "biofeedback" is a more widely-seen term. You may even have utilized biofeedback technology before without knowing it! Have you ever had a "mood ring"? The thermotropic crystals in the ring change colors to reflect your body temperature, supposedly to track your "moods."
Essentially, "biofeedback" is a general category - an umbrella term. It refers to any technique that monitors some biological variable (e.g. skin temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, brain waves) to help control "involuntary" bodily processes via operant conditioning. and/or relaxation. As such, there are several types of biofeedback: heart rate variability (HRV), thermal (e.g. mood rings), muscular (EMG), and neurological (EEG). The neurological biofeedback is thus also called "neurotherapy" or "neurobiofeedback" or neurofeedback.
3. How does neurofeedback work?
All forms of biofeedback employ some type of computer or monitoring device along with electronic sensors to give information about what is going on in the body. With neurofeedback, the equipment gives feedback about specific brain waves. It shows the percentage prevalence, or amplitude, of each one in specific areas of the brain. It can also show if these brain waves working together harmoniously (regulated) or disruptively (dysregulated). When the brain is dysregulated, it is "noisy." The uncoordinated brainwaves interfere with the brain's optimal functioning and may manifest in symptoms such as difficulty focusing, irritability, insomnia, fatigue, etc.
With newer forms of neurofeedback, it is possible to map out the brain through Quantitative EEG (QEEG), or identify specific regions of the brain (Brodmann Areas) that are not functioning suboptimally. Other more conventional forms of neurofeedback would provide information on how your brain compares to others of the same gender and age group to facilitate training. towards optimal functionality. This is done through Z-score training. The type of training a patient should undergo is determined once his/her assessment or evaluation has been completed and the results analyzed. We can use a variety of neurofeedback methods tailored to your needs to fix a specific dysregulation or to simply fine-tune your brain's functionality.
4. Who would benefit from neurofeedback?
It is not uncommon for individuals to have over-stimulation or under-stimulation in areas of the brain, causing psychological symptoms or disorders. People who typically benefit the most from neurofeedback are those dealing with unregulated neurotransmitters which result in symptoms such as insomnia, depression, anxiety, attention problems, etc.. Neurofeedback has also been seen to enhance performance in athletes, artists, students, and management personnel. In clinical settings, neurofeedback has been mostly utilized by those with special needs.
Neurofeedback most effectively treats the following symptoms:
5. What kind of results can I expect?
6. How many sessions does it take to treat AD(H)D?
The treatment result largely depends on individual differences. Generally speaking, 40 sessions are recommended for people with ADHD. Each session takes about 45 minutes. Some homework may be required to facilitate the consolidation of therapeutic gains.
Neurofeedback is an advanced neurological technology that uses computers to visualize how the brain functions in real time. The supporting theory has been well research over six decades in Europe as well in North America. Some professionals in the field called neurofeedback "yoga for the brain". As put by Thomas Collura, clinical director of the Brain Enrichment Center and founder of BrainMaster Inc., neurofeedback is like an exercise for the brain. Through neurofeedback, you are specifically exercising the brain’s ability to manage its own states, to be calm enough, to be awake enough, to be focused enough, and ultimately to do what you want to do.
2. What is the difference between neurofeedback and biofeedback?
Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback. Many clients conflate the two terms, likely because "biofeedback" is a more widely-seen term. You may even have utilized biofeedback technology before without knowing it! Have you ever had a "mood ring"? The thermotropic crystals in the ring change colors to reflect your body temperature, supposedly to track your "moods."
Essentially, "biofeedback" is a general category - an umbrella term. It refers to any technique that monitors some biological variable (e.g. skin temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, brain waves) to help control "involuntary" bodily processes via operant conditioning. and/or relaxation. As such, there are several types of biofeedback: heart rate variability (HRV), thermal (e.g. mood rings), muscular (EMG), and neurological (EEG). The neurological biofeedback is thus also called "neurotherapy" or "neurobiofeedback" or neurofeedback.
3. How does neurofeedback work?
All forms of biofeedback employ some type of computer or monitoring device along with electronic sensors to give information about what is going on in the body. With neurofeedback, the equipment gives feedback about specific brain waves. It shows the percentage prevalence, or amplitude, of each one in specific areas of the brain. It can also show if these brain waves working together harmoniously (regulated) or disruptively (dysregulated). When the brain is dysregulated, it is "noisy." The uncoordinated brainwaves interfere with the brain's optimal functioning and may manifest in symptoms such as difficulty focusing, irritability, insomnia, fatigue, etc.
With newer forms of neurofeedback, it is possible to map out the brain through Quantitative EEG (QEEG), or identify specific regions of the brain (Brodmann Areas) that are not functioning suboptimally. Other more conventional forms of neurofeedback would provide information on how your brain compares to others of the same gender and age group to facilitate training. towards optimal functionality. This is done through Z-score training. The type of training a patient should undergo is determined once his/her assessment or evaluation has been completed and the results analyzed. We can use a variety of neurofeedback methods tailored to your needs to fix a specific dysregulation or to simply fine-tune your brain's functionality.
4. Who would benefit from neurofeedback?
It is not uncommon for individuals to have over-stimulation or under-stimulation in areas of the brain, causing psychological symptoms or disorders. People who typically benefit the most from neurofeedback are those dealing with unregulated neurotransmitters which result in symptoms such as insomnia, depression, anxiety, attention problems, etc.. Neurofeedback has also been seen to enhance performance in athletes, artists, students, and management personnel. In clinical settings, neurofeedback has been mostly utilized by those with special needs.
Neurofeedback most effectively treats the following symptoms:
- Excessive stress, worry and fearfulness
- Anxiety, panic, hypervigilance
- Sleep disorders
- Depression
- Learning problems— ADHD symptoms, lack of focus, inability to attend to tasks
- Headaches and migraines
- PTSD and trauma symptoms
- Anger
- Head and brain injuries
- Cravings and addictions
- Low self-esteem and self-image
- Stuck patterns of thinking and behaving
5. What kind of results can I expect?
- Feeling calmer
- Increased mental clarity and focus
- Dropping away of fears
- More appropriate response to situations
- Feeling lighter and greater ease
- Increased motivation and ability to accomplish tasks
6. How many sessions does it take to treat AD(H)D?
The treatment result largely depends on individual differences. Generally speaking, 40 sessions are recommended for people with ADHD. Each session takes about 45 minutes. Some homework may be required to facilitate the consolidation of therapeutic gains.
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Neuro Wellness Institute Inc
2-3395 Howard Ave Windsor, ON, CAN N9E 3N6 Neuro Wellness Institute PC 2073 E Maple Rd Troy, MI, USA 48083-4493 |