Brain Wave Biofeedback (Neurofeedback)
What is biofeedback?
Biofeedback is a method of learning how to gain control of bodily functions which normally occur without our awareness. One way of using biofeedback is to calm the body. Most people have heard about using biofeedback for relaxation where a small sensor placed on the finger or the head picks up information from the body and brings it to a computer which produces a tone when the person is relaxed. Because the feedback signal or tone lets the person know immediately when the body is just starting to relax, it is much easier to get the “feel” of relaxing. Learning to relax is easier and more efficient. Traditional biofeedback has been used to train heart rate variability, blood pressure and temperature of the hands and feet.
What is neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback is biofeedback for the brain. Instead of training muscles or blood flow, the person using neurofeedback is training brainwaves. Brainwaves are produced when brain cells communicate with each other and with the body. Each time a nerve cell fires, electrical energy is released. An EEG measures the electrical energy released by nerve cells at work. The numbers of brain cells firing at different speeds produce the brainwave patterns seen on the EEG. The brainwaves have names, but in general, the speedier brainwaves are used for thinking while the slower ones are used for relaxation and to maintain involuntary bodily functions. Neurofeedback allows us to regulate our brainwave patterns.
Why train brainwaves?
Scientists have learned how to associate brainwave patterns with states of health and illness. An EEG assessment is done to show how smoothly your brain is working. There may be areas in your brain that are working too hard or areas that are sluggish. Usually, everyone who has an assessment finds out that some areas of their brain are overactive while others are underactive. Neurofeedback allows us to teach our brains where to speed up or slow down. Neurofeedback allows us to remind the brain how it is supposed to be working. With training, the brain continues to take on the healthier brain patterns until no more training is required. Neurofeedback training increases the brain’s flexibility. Some people have actually referred to neurofeedback as aerobics for the brain because neurofeedback helps the brain to move smoothly from one state of arousal to another and improves the blood flow to the area being trained. Brainwave patterns usually remain stable or change slowly over time. As we age, our brains become a little slower. Often, the age related slowing of the brain is associated with memory problems typically associated with getting older. Anxiety, fatigue, depression, language and memory problems are often signs of imbalances where some areas of the brain have slowed down and other areas have started to work too fast. Many of these imbalances are symptoms of stressed, tired brains. Sometimes, an injury or illness can cause brainwave patterns to change rapidly. When brainwaves no longer follow the natural pattern, many disturbing symptoms can develop. Problems that come from a dysregulated brain can be stopped. Neurofeedback is helpful to encourage healthy brain regulation at these times. Neurofeedback can’t repair brain damage, but it can help the brain to heal more effectively and work to its maximum capacity. In a few instances, neurofeedback has actually been used to bring people out of a coma.
Conditions helped by neurofeedback:
Autonomic Nervous System Balance: sleep disorders, irritable bowel, migraine headaches, panic attacks, PTSD, dysglycemia, autoimmune disorders, hormonal imbalance, bruxism, asthma, chemical sensitivities.
Emotion/Mood Problems: anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, addictions, irritability, anger, violence and bipolar swings.
Cognitive/ Learning Function: problems of focus/concentration, problems filtering or processing of information, attention deficit disorder.
Other Conditions: epilepsy, autism, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, mild head injury.