What is Neurofeedback?
At NWA Premier Therapy we have trained therapists and technicians to provide the interventions to decrease your symptoms. The ongoing changing nature of our brain is called neuroplasticity. Highly researched, clinical studies show neurofeedback is evidence-based and a safe, non-invasive method to achieve positive outcomes. Neurofeedback looks for the cause, such as what specific pathways are dysregulated, as well as over or under activated. Once this type of assessment locates the cause of the symptom, then a protocal can be chosen based on what is specifically suited for your needs and neurological issues.
Neurofeedback uses high tech equipment and software to record and address the cause of symptoms within the brain. It is a proccess of recording brain wave activity through an Quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG). Using computer monitoring, brain activity is mirrored and the brain can modify its’ function. The human brain is self-regulating and has a capacity to modify its patterns. During neurofeedback training the brains’ wave patterns are projected onto a screen, mapped and interpreted. By giving feedback about specific brain waves more harmonious patterns can be increased and dysregulated patterns can be reduced: the brain waves can be increased or decreased to work more harmoniously together to provide a regulated response.
How Can Neurofeedback Help My Issues or Symptoms?
Issues such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, sleep problems, memory and concentration problems are a result of dysregulation in the brain. Neurofeedback is able to assess, as mentioned above, the functioning of the brain and improve areas where it is not functioning properly. It can locate a specific pattern of neuronal dysregulation, as seen in a concussion and PTSD. Using specific training perimeters dysregulation decreases and brain patterns stabilize.
Neurofeedback Resources:
Psychology Today Article on Neurofeedback: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-resilient-brain/201410/what-is-neurofeedback
See the red in the middle of the 3 heads? That’s an indication of excessive amounts of slow activity (6-9 hz ). With eyes open, there should be very little, if any, red. When your brain is making excessive slow activity, it can’t pay attention as well. Based on the map, we can train him to reduce that activity and increase his attention.
The EEG map is from a 23-year-old man who struggles with attention. People say to him all the time that he doesn’t listen, even though he tries very hard. The red spots in this EEG map often are connected with problems with attention. In this case, when he tries to focus, his brain actually slows down, and is unable to sustain sufficient attention. His brain is being trained to reduce this slower activity and increase activity related to improved attention.
Example DEPRESSION BRAIN MAP
The two brain map images below are from different people. The map on the left is from a person with a long history of depression. On the left, there is an orange and yellow area. It represents an excess amount of slow brainwave activity. This pattern is often associated with depression. The picture on the right displays a relatively normal brain, without depression.
To get a consultation or more iformation about Neurofeedback or additional resources are available below.
Additional Resources:
- A Consumers Guide To Understanding QEEG Brain Mapping And Neurofeedback Training, by Robert Longo, MRC, LPC, BCN
- Neurofeedback In The Treatment Of Developmental Trauma; Calming The Fear Driven Brain, by Sebern Fisher
- The Healing Power of Neurofeedback, by Stephan Larsen, Ph. D.
- Getting Started with EEG Neurofeedback, by John Demos
- Biofeedback for the Brain, by Paul G. Swingle, Ph.D.
- Technical Foundations of Neurofeedback, by Thomas F. Collura