The Institute for Optimum Balancing :What is Neurofeedback?

What is Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback, also called neurotherapy, neurobiofeedback, or Brain Training is a therapy technique that presents you with real-time feedback on your brainwave activity, as measured by sensors on your scalp, typically in the form of a video
display, sound or vibration. The purpose is to provide real-time information to your Central Nervous System which is the "control center" for your entire body and regulates how your body will function. Imbalances in your brainwave activity significantly impact the ability of your Central Nervous System to function properly. Neurofeedback provides a form of training that balances your brain wave activity
thus allowing your Central Nervous System to function at its optimum. This natural, medication-free approach improves attention, reduces impulsivity, enhances mood, and improves performance in all aspects of your life.

How Does Neurofeedback work?

Neurofeedback training is biofeed-back for brainwaves. During training, electrodes are placed on your scalp and earlobes. Utilizing state-of-the-art electronic equipment, these electrodes measure and record the electrical patterns coming from your brain – much like a physician listens to your heart from the surface of your skin. No electrical current is put into your brain.

Your collected patterns of activity are interpreted by the neurofeedback practitioner and then re-presented in an optimized form to your brain through the use of video displays or graphics and tones. By showing your brain healthier patterns, it learns
to literally recondition and retrain itself. The result is that your brain experiences
brain activity in a healthy range, and the brain gradually develops the ability to maintain that behavior by itself. Numerous sessions are required and typically sessions are held at least four times a weekly so that the carry-over effect from
one session to the next is not lost. It’s like going to the gym, except that the brain is learning a skill that it can keep.

Why Use Neurofeedback?

To stabilize overall brain function by strengthening the brain's ability to routinely produce brainwaves in healthy ranges.

To improve the ability of the brain to shift from one brainwave state to another smoothly and effectively and then stay there as long as needed.

To improve brain functioning in localized areas of the brain associated with specific problems an individual is experiencing.

How Do I Get Started?

An assessment of brainwave patterns or brain regulation is completed prior to the beginning the Neurofeedback training sessions. Brainwave activity is measured
with an electroencephalograph (EEG). The EEG biofeedback equipment is connected to the individual with sensors that are placed on the scalp and ears. A computer then analyzes the brain waves and the activity is then observed on a computer monitor. The data from this assessment is combined with a variety of
other information gained from the client interview. Based on all the information gathered, a training plan is then generated.

Is Neurofeedback New?

Neurofeedback has now been studied for over 35 years, and many of its clinical applications have been identified for quite some time. As with any new treatment,
the literature published about it will focus on areas in which the treatment is most successful.

Since the brain is so vital to all aspects of our lives, improving overall brain function tends to have widespread positive results. It's not unusual for someone to report
that though they came in for help with one problem, they have found help in other areas they didn't expect.

However, it is clear that neurofeedback does some things much better than others. Here are some areas in which neurofeedback performs exceptionally well:

Alcoholism and Drug Abuse: Neurofeedback has been found helpful in preventing relapse for those recovering from chemical dependency. Research on this began
in the late 1980's and continues.

Anxiety: Anxiety is sometimes the result of a brain that is working too "fast" and needs to be calmed. This would certainly be the case for the types of anxiety that
are more medical or genetic in origin.

Depression: Depression often involves problems in the frontal lobes that respond
to brainwave training. This is one of the cases where the treatment of something
with neurofeedback may result in needing less medication, or a client begins to
look over medicated.

ADD and ADHD: Neurotherapists often conceptualize ADD and ADHD as the result
of too much slow brainwave activity, particularly in the frontal lobes. Training the
brain, and especially the frontal lobes, to be "stronger" at a more normal rate of activity will tend to reduce problems with concentration and focus. In some cases learning disabilities also benefit from neurofeedback that includes work at the location in the brain associated with the impaired area (reading, speech, etc.)

Why Might Neurofeedback Help Treat Addiction?

Elizabeth Hartney, PhD, a psychologist with extensive experience in research, practice and teaching in the field of addictions and concurrent disorders states in
her About .com article on October 15, 2009 (Neurofeedback and Neurotherapy as Treatments for Addiction -
Changing Brainwaves May Help Overcome Addictive Tendencies) ”that brainwave patterns typically seen in people with addictions, as well as the children of
alcoholics (even those who do not drink), is too many fast brainwaves and too few slow brainwaves. This creates a lot of “mental chatter” for the person and can cause them to have a hard time quieting their mind. Drinking or drug use can be a way of slowing down the brainwaves and self-calming, which is why so many people with addictions also have problems with anxiety.

Another pattern often seen in people with addictions is the opposite – too many
slow brainwaves, which makes it difficult for the individual to focus and hold their attention. People with attentional problems such as ADHD have this pattern, and
they may cope by using stimulant drugs –- prescribed, over-the counter (including coffee), or illicit -- to speed up their brainwaves and help them focus. With the help
of neurotherapy, they may be able to bring their brainwaves into a more functional range and no longer need drugs to feel calm and focused.
Neurotherapy can be a good choice for people with addictions because it is a drug-free approach. Once the brainwaves have been adjusted to function more effectively, the effects are permanent. People who have been dependent on drugs for years can become drug-free.

Neurotherapy can be used in conjunction with other therapies such as counseling, motivational interviewing, EMDR, art therapy and lifestyle changes. This is important for overcoming addiction, because there are many factors -- genetics, brainwave imbalances, stress, social influences, and so on -– that both cause the addiction
and keep it going. Each factor needs to be addressed to enable the individual to find new ways of coping that do not involve the addictive behavior or lifestyle.

Neurotherapy may help your inner world function better without the need for alcohol
or other drugs to feel “normal.” However, you will have to work on making your outer world supportive of a life free of addiction. Counseling may help, and neurotherapy may also help to give you the focus, motivation and determination to succeed.”