Neurofeedback Therapy is a safe and effective way to treat a wide range of conditions. This alternative treatment can be used by children and adults of all ages.
It’s a drug-free option, so patients don’t have to worry about the side effects that come with many medications. It can be used to help people with ADHD, anxiety and stress disorders.
This treatment is based on the idea that the brain’s natural tendency is to generate certain patterns of activity that are desirable and optimal. When these patterns are disrupted, symptoms like anxiety and irritability occur.
By monitoring the brain’s incoming electrical signals and providing feedback, neurofeedback practitioners can teach patients how to change these patterns. This allows patients to retrain their brains in order to achieve healthier patterns of behavior, which can lead to symptom relief and lasting results.
How It Works
During each session, a patient wears an electronic device that consists of a band or electrodes that connect to a monitor that displays real-time information about brain waves. The monitor will show the person how their brain wave activity is changing as they complete a stimulus task, such as watching a video or listening to music.
The practitioner then instructs the person to complete the task, guiding them through each step of the process. If the person does this correctly, their brain wave activity will increase in amplitude. The therapist will then provide them with positive or negative feedback based on the person’s progress.
Most people are able to learn to control their own brainwaves through this method, though not everyone responds the same way. That’s why it is important to get feedback from the therapist about how the patient is responding.
Some patients can achieve significant improvements within the first five sessions, but others may need longer to see changes. The sensitivity of the brain to therapy varies from person to person, and a doctor will work with you to determine if neurofeedback is right for you.
It’s a Noninvasive, Painless Procedure
In neurofeedback therapy, a person’s brainwaves are monitored by electrodes placed on their scalp. Unlike biofeedback, which involves the use of electronic instruments to convey information about heart rate and muscle contractions, neurofeedback does not involve any medications.
It’s a Painless, Noninvasive Technique
In most neurofeedback sessions, a patient will wear a headband with electrodes attached to it. These electrodes will be hooked up to a computer. This will allow the therapist to see how the patient’s brain waves are changing as they perform the stimulus task.
The therapist will guide the patient through the activity, which can be anything from watching a movie or listening to audio. They’ll also track the patient’s brainwave activity through a software program.
They’ll use this data to create a customized stimulus task. This stimulus activity will be displayed on the monitor and the patient will use it to control their brainwaves.
It’s a very effective, drug-free and safe approach to treating disorders like ADHD, anxiety and stress. It is also a more effective long-term solution, as it strengthens the ability for patients to self-generate symptom relief, which will help them stay healthy and happy long after they stop the neurofeedback therapy.