So what is neurofeedback therapy exactly? Neurofeedback therapy, or EEG biofeedback, is an effective treatment to improve focus and control impulses for other brain functions.
Approximately one in six individuals have a neurological condition and need some form of treatment. Normal brain function is something most people can attest to, but exactly how normal is normal? Not many people are safe from common brain imbalances or chronic emotions that affect their everyday lives. Fortunately, this therapy is an effective solution for mitigating most neurological and psychological complications.
As such, it’s effective for treating certain neurological conditions like ADHD and PTSD. In this post, we’ll be looking at what neurofeedback therapy is, how it works, and its benefits. Let’s dive in!
What Is Neurofeedback Therapy?
You can think of this therapy as a way to train your brain. The brain facilitates all your thoughts, emotions, and movements. This therapy involves placing sensors on the scalp of a patient to monitor and measure brain activity.
These sensors work with software that can analyze the brain to give you an accurate rendition of brain activity. This software helps the doctor to pinpoint the exact area of the problem where the neurological problem stems from. After that, experts can “rewire” your brain activity to correct the issue. And don’t worry, neurofeedback therapy can’t change your personality. It will only “rewire” bad habits to better habits.
This specific therapy utilizes advanced computer technology to balance and optimize your brain. Training your brain is unlike other treatments for neurological and psychological conditions. That’s because this therapy is drugless, non-intrusive, and it works.
Kids love neurofeedback training because it’s fun, engaging, interactive, and, most importantly, it doesn’t hurt. You’ll need a few sessions before you’re good to go. For more severe conditions, you might require more than a few sessions.
How Does It Work?
There are three key players in neurofeedback therapy; the EEG machine, the brain analysis software, and the patient. Your brain is mostly a clump of brain cells that communicate with each other via electrical signals. It’s sensors’ job to detect these electrical impulses when they’re placed on your head.
Your brain creates four types of electrical impulses during your usual activities. These brainwaves are alpha, beta, delta, and theta signals. Through these brainwaves, you can know which part of the brain is active and what signals you need for a specific task.
A specialized software generates a QEEG map, which shows all the trouble spots. The neuro therapist notes the areas of concern before the patient moves to the next phase of treatment. This next phase involves training the brain to be in a state of relaxation or to make it comfortable.
This training takes place in several sessions until the brain gets used to it. An excellent way to think of it is how a bodybuilder trains his muscles. Consistently training the biceps allows the bodybuilder to lift heavy weights with ease. Just like the bodybuilder trains to get stronger, the more sessions, the more likely the patient’s brain can enter a relaxed state.
The ability of the brain to adapt to these changes is what is known as neuroplasticity. Thanks to neurofeedback, you can be able to change the way your brain behaves. For instance, instead of impulsive reactions when angry, the brain enters a much more efficient and relaxed state.
What Are the Benefits of Neurofeedback Therapy?
After neurofeedback therapy, patients have heightened memory and focus plus improved mental clarity. Their moods also improve, and they are less anxious and also find it easier to sleep. Here’s a breakdown of the many benefits of neurofeedback therapy.
Better Memory
Some credible studies show that neurofeedback therapy could help improve memory. The improved memory might be a result of brain neuroplasticity. Greater neuroplasticity is linked with more significant synaptic action of the hippocampus.
The hippocampus is a part of the brain that’s crucial for short-term memory. Short-term memory includes stuff like remembering dates, conversations, and directions. Frequent neurofeedback therapy sessions can improve your memory.
Decreased Anxiety
Individuals struggling with anxiety can find relief with consistent neurofeedback therapy. Anxiety has much to do with racing thoughts and restlessness of the mind. The QEEG map shows an increase in beta signals and a deficit of alpha signals when one is anxious.
It means that our anxiety stems from an overwhelming influx of beta waves. Neurofeedback tries to make the brain produce more alpha impulses. These alpha impulses keep you calm and help you maintain focus whenever you’re anxious.
Improved Sleep
It’s not uncommon for people who undergo neurofeedback therapy to report improved sleep. Again reduced sleep and insomnia has something to do with the brain impulses. Insomnia and decreased sleep are a result of slow-moving or irregular delta waves.
Neurofeedback corrects the issue making sure you have enough and fast-moving delta waves at night. It also makes sure you have less and slower delta impulses during the day. This means you’ll have a better sleep at night and feel less sleepy during the day.
Decreases Depression Symptoms
It’s still complicated to pin down where depression symptoms originate in the brain. However, some studies link it to the slow-moving and irregular delta waves. It may explain why people with depression have irregular sleeping patterns.
Consistent neurofeedback therapy could decrease depression symptoms and improve sleep. So, if you’re feeling a little down under, then give neurofeedback therapy a whirl.
Reduces ADHD
On the QEEG map, ADHD manifests itself as slow-moving theta signals. Some patients show a motor-sensory rhythm incapacity. Neurofeedback therapy helps to rectify these issues with your brain and thus reduce ADHS symptoms.
Overall Improved Brain Health
A big brain indicates that your brain is healthy, meaning greater cognitive abilities. Neurofeedback therapy increases the quantity of white and grey matter in your brain. In doing so, it makes your brain big and healthy.
Neurofeedback Therapy Is Good for Your Brain
Neurofeedback therapy is effective in mitigating several neurological conditions and improving your cognitive health. Now that we’ve answered what neurofeedback therapy is, we hope it’s a treatment option you’re willing to consider. However, neurofeedback therapy is only beneficial if you find the right neuro therapist.
A good neuro therapist is licensed, competent, and experienced like the ones you find at Dody Chiropractic Center for Wholeness. So contact us today for professional and effective neurofeedback therapy.
