Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback, also known as electroencephalogram (EEG) or brainwave biofeedback, is a highly effective method of optimizing brain function. Nearly anyone can learn to shift brain activity with neurofeedback, from children as young as four to adults of any age.
Neurofeedback can help you to improve focus and memory, manage stress, improve sleep, manage addictions, learn more effectively, reduce pain, enhance meditation skills and create a state of “flow” in which life seems to move along without effort. Studies show that neurofeedback produces longer lasting results in the treatment of such conditions as ADHD and anxiety than are typically achieved with treatment by medications. Unlike treatment with medication, side effects from neurofeedback are very rare.
Most training programs begin with a physiological assessment called a Quantitative EEG, or QEEG. Several small flat metal discs (called electrodes) are adhered to the scalp in order to monitor electrical impulses in 19 different areas of the brain. The QEEG is a detailed mathematical analysis of brain frequencies (brain waves) and the relationship of these frequencies among all parts of the brain. The result is a detailed map of brain function. This brain map is matched to the areas of life the client wants to improve and then compared to brain patterns typically produced by a person in the same age group with healthy brain function. The QEEG data analysis reveals what specific locations, frequencies, and brain relationships need to be shifted through neurofeedback training sessions in order to optimize brain performance.
During subsequent neurofeedback (EEG) training sessions electrodes are applied to targeted areas of the scalp, connecting to the specific parts of the brain that require attention. Information is transmitted to the computer, giving the person feedback in the form of positive auditory or visual cues when he or she produces the brainwave patterns necessary for sustained focus and a healthy, balanced mood. The same process also trains the brain to produce less of the patterns responsible for distractibility, anxiety, and emotional instability.