Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, so if you’re not taking good care of your brain, it’s time to start. One in five adults deals with some type of mental health issue. Are you one of them?
Have you considered trying neurofeedback?
What is neurofeedback anyway? What is it for? If you try neurofeedback, do you have to stop your other forms of mental health treatment?
Neurofeedback training trains brainwaves and gets them to form healthier patterns. It uses special stimulation to “train” the brain without the use of medication. Do you think it may be right for you?
Read on to learn about neurofeedback so you can make an informed choice.
1. It Helps a Wide Variety of Conditions
Neurofeedback can be effective for many mental health conditions (though not every person with a specific condition will have the same experience). So what is neurofeedback for? ADHD, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and a whole spectrum of other conditions.
Even people recovering from traumatic brain injuries have benefited from neurofeedback therapy. It may also help with things like memory loss.
If you think that you have a condition that could benefit from neurofeedback, talk to your doctor or therapist to see if it’s a viable option for you.
2. It Is Painless and Non-Invasive
The idea of neurofeedback is scary to some people. They worry that it may be somehow invasive, painful, or dangerous. Don’t worry about that.
One thing that’s essential to know about neurofeedback is that it’s safe. It’s non-invasive, and you shouldn’t feel any pain during your sessions. It’s even safe for children (though you should always discuss this with your child’s pediatrician first).
Sessions are quick. They usually last for about a half-hour, and patients are able to watch shows or listen to music throughout. Many people find the process relaxing.
On occasion, patients leave their sessions feeling moody or tired. This is a temporary effect, and patients should feel normal again after several hours (if not sooner).
3. You Can Combine It With Other Treatments
So what is neurofeedback therapy? One thing that it’s not is a replacement for other forms of mental health treatment. As a matter of fact, neurofeedback can be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment.
If you already see a therapist, there’s no reason that you can’t also try neurofeedback for even better results. The same is true if you take medication.
With that in mind, it’s also important to have a healthy body while doing neurofeedback. Make sure you’re eating nutritious foods and getting enough exercise. Your physical and mental health are intertwined, so treat your body well if you want to get the most out of treatment.
4. It May Help Treatment-Resistant Conditions
Many people struggle with treatment-resistant mental health conditions. This means that despite their best efforts, they can’t seem to find relief. They may use the best medications and have access to the most qualified mental health professionals, but they’re still struggling.
Neurofeedback is a promising option for people who are in this situation.
Neurofeedback is a different type of treatment altogether. It may be exactly what someone needs to start healing and could even make their other treatments more effective.
5. It Re-Trains Your Brain
Neurofeedback literally trains your brain. It’s like exercise! You exercise the rest of your body to stay healthy, so why wouldn’t you also exercise your brain?
When your brain gets scanned, a technician will be able to see where there may be problems. Using that scan, they’ll create a map and a treatment plan for you and your brain’s “training sessions.”
Throughout your sessions, the technician will use positive reinforcement to get your brain back on the right track, so to speak.
6. It’s Not New
Many people think that neurofeedback sounds futuristic like it’s straight out of a science-fiction movie. This isn’t the case, as it’s not a brand-new process.
Neurofeedback has been around for about sixty years.
That said, it didn’t always look like it does now. It used a much simpler reward system in the past, and mapping the brain’s activity wasn’t nearly as accurate.
Scientists have been working on improving neurofeedback technology for decades, so you don’t have to worry about this “new and scary” form of treatment.
7. It Impacts Everyone Differently
Like many forms of mental health treatment, neurofeedback will have a different effect on everyone. It may start working within a few weeks or take several months before you notice a difference. Some people may not enjoy it at all and will decide that it’s not the right treatment option for them.
Your technician will tell you all about what realistic results for someone with your condition look like. They’ll be able to give you a general idea of how long it should take you to start seeing progress.
This type of treatment isn’t linear.
So What Is Neurofeedback? An Innovative Treatment
What is Neurofeedback? It’s a type of mental health treatment that trains your brain without using any surgical tools, medication, or talk therapy. You can use it in conjunction with the treatment you’re already receiving, as it’s not an alternative to other forms of treatment per se.
Are you interested in trying neurofeedback for yourself?
At Dody Chiropractic Center for Wholeness, we offer neurofeedback alongside a plethora of other wellness services. If you’d like to try neurofeedback, contact us today so we can schedule your appointment.
