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What Is Neurotherapy?
 Neurotherapy is also called "EEG Biofeedback" and
"Neurofeedback."
All our thoughts, emotions and behaviors are affected by our brainwaves, which
are tiny pulses of electrical activity produced as the neurons communicate with
each other. When there are patterns within the brain that are not working
correctly there will be corresponding problems. A wide variety of disorders can
be traced back to these dysfunctional brainwave patterns. By influencing these
electrical patterns, we can change the brain's communication.
Different brain wave frequencies, called bandwidths, relate to different mental
states. Neurofeedback therapy is used to reduce or increase specific brainwave
frequencies depending on the problem.
One of the technique's great strengths is that it draws upon the brain's own
ability to learn and adapt. Neurofeedback therapy is absolutely non-invasive,
and rather than trying to affect the body from outside, it helps the brain to
deal with any problems at the foundation. Neurofeedback treatment simply makes
certain characteristics of the brain's operation visible to the conscious mind.
-
 Due in part to the
nature of the treatment, neurofeedback training can help both children and
adults. In fact, thanks to the innate flexibility of the growing child's mind,
it is especially effective for children. Hyperactivity, attention deficit,
temper tantrums, and conduct problems are more often exhibited by children than
by adults, and can be effectively treated. Furthermore, once the brain has
learned to function normally, the effect is usually lasting, and relapse rarely
occurs.
- Because neurofeedback therapy trains the brain to operate effectively, it is an
effective treatment for individuals who are recovering from injury or coping
with a variety of problems such as: Fears/Phobias, Depressed Mood/Mood Swings,
Substance Abuse, Chronic Pain, Fatigue, Sleep Problems, Headaches, Autoimmune
Problems and PTSD.
- Neurofeedback training is also valuable to bring the brain back on track after
day-to-day stress, or to facilitate peak performance, for example, for
professional athletes or corporate executives. People practicing meditation also
report an enhanced ability to quiet racing thoughts and deeper, more profound,
meditation experiences.
NFT does not involve either surgery or medication and is neither painful nor
embarrassing. When provided by a licensed professional with appropriate
training, generally trainees do not experience negative side-effects. Typically
trainees find NFT to be an interesting experience.
NFT has been found to be a successful intervention in modifying seizures,
attention, traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, autistic behaviors,
headache/migraine, depression, anxiety, addictions, and sleep problems. Also, it
has been applied effectively in meeting educational goals such as resolving
reading and math disabilities. Moreover, it has been used to help maximize the
performance of athletes, artists, and executives. Lasting positive changes have
been documented after successful NFT.
 Like other forms of biofeedback, NFT uses monitoring devices
to provide moment-to-moment information to an individual on the state of their
physiological functioning. The characteristic that distinguishes NFT from other
biofeedback is a focus on the central nervous system and the brain.
Neurofeedback training (NFT) has its foundations in basic and applied
neuroscience as well as data-based clinical practice. It takes into account
behavioral, cognitive, and subjective aspects as well as brain activity. Thus,
it meets the American Psychological Association's definition of an
evidence-based intervention since NFT is "...the integration of the best
available research with clinical expertise in the context of patient
characteristics, culture, and preference."
NFT is preceded by an objective assessment of brain activity and
psychological status. During training, sensors are placed on the scalp and then
connected to sensitive electronics and computer software that detect, amplify,
and record specific brain activity. Resulting information is fed back to the
trainee virtually instantaneously with the conceptual understanding that changes
in the feedback signal indicate whether or not the trainee's brain activity is
within the designated range. Based on this feedback, various principles of
learning, and practitioner guidance, changes in brain patterns occur and are
associated with positive changes in physical, emotional, and cognitive states.
Often the trainee is not consciously aware of the mechanisms by which such
changes are accomplished although people routinely acquire a "felt sense" of
these positive changes and often are able to access these states outside the
feedback session.
Click
here to watch a video on
neurofeedback
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