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03.

Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback is offered as Self Matters is committed to a holistic approach that includes biological influences on mental health. I am a commitment to ensure that I am not only trained but that I am certified in neurofeedback with the maintenance of continued education to ensure the most up-to-date standards. 

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What is neurofeedback?
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Neurofeedback, also known as EEG biofeedback, is a non-invasive technique used to help the
brain self-regulate. Using sensors and special software, the brains activity is measured and
reflected back through a video display. When the brain is allowed to see its own activity (like a
mirror), it can then adjust itself for better physical and mental performance. Nothing is ever
transmitted into the brain. Brain activity found in the EEG, through the particular placement
based on careful assessment of symptomology, is recorded and fed back to that brain through
visual, sensory, and auditory means.


By improving self-regulation of brain activity, clients can be helped to function better
cognitively, emotionally, and behaviourally. Your brain changes itself. You don’t have to “think
about” it or “try.” The choice of where to train and which protocols to use is based on the
training plan. Over time, as the brain is conditioned or trained into new, healthier brain wave
patterns, symptoms improve.

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Who can benefit from neurofeedback? According to the EEG Institute:
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Individuals of any age can benefit from EEG training. Neurofeedback can help a variety of
childhood problems including bedwetting, nightmares, attention deficits and other forms of
disruptive and disturbing behaviours. It can assist adolescent who struggle with anxiety and
depression or drug and alcohol use. Neurofeedback can help anyone maintain good brain
function as they age. Peak performers also use EEG training to enhance their abilities in sports,
business, and the arts.

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What can I expect in a session?
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You will meet with a qualified neurofeedback practitioner, and a careful assessment of your
chief complaints and symptoms will be reviewed. Assessment will also include an overview of
the functioning of both current and past behavioural, cognitive and emotional characteristics.
Your symptoms will then be reviewed at the beginning of each session. Your participation is key
so that the clinician can monitor for the effects of the training. For younger clients, a parent are a
guardian will be included in the assessment.


You will sit in a comfortable chair and sensors will be placed on the scalp using a special paste.
It is important to be reassured that no electricity passes to the person being trained. The sensors
simply measure brain waves. Through a computer program, and based on the individuals unique
training plan, brain waves are then shown to the brain so the brain can then make corrections and
self-regulate.

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Individuals of any age can benefit from neurofeedback which can address a variety of issues such as: (This is not an exhaustive list)

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  • ADHD

  • Autism

  • Anxiety

  • Attachment Issues

  • Attention/Focus enhancement

  • Chronic Pain

  • Cognitive abilities

  • Depression

  • Drug and alcohol use

  • Emotional regulation/distress

  • Headaches/Migraines

  • Pain Symptoms

  • Peak Performance

  • Stress reactions

  • Sleep problems

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Are you interested in learning more?
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Please feel free to contact me for additional information or check out the following resources:
Research: Many empirical articles can be found doing a PubMed search or other search engine
that can access empirically reviewed articles and studies.

Can also learn more at www.EEGinfo.com/research


Videos:


What is Neurofeedback? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6XeCwFQrCA


What Is Neurofeedback? How Brain Training Can Benefit Kids, Families,

and Adults https://youtu.be/HxHR7InSQ1c


Readings:

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  • A Symphony in the Brain by Jim Robbins.

  • Brian’s Legacy by Siegfried Othmer and Brian Othmer

  • Making a Good Brain Great by Daniel Amen, M.D.

  • Restoring the Brain: Neurofeedback as an Integrative Approach to Health by Hanno W. Kirk

  • ADD The 20-Hour Solution by Mark Steinberg, Ph.D. & Seigfried Othmer, Ph.D.

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  • Is Something Being Put Into My Brain?
    No. Neurofeedback is not electricity to the brain. Sensors are attached to the scalp with EEG paste to record your brainwaves. It is painless and does not involve applying any voltage or current to your brain, so it is entirely non-invasive. Much like a stethoscope allows the user to hear the heart beating and measure the heart rate, the sensors enable the software to measure the brain activity and convert these brainwave patterns onto a computer monitor. The EEG digitalizes the brain waves. It is painless and does not involve applying any voltage or current to your brain, so it is entirely non-invasive.
  • How Long Does a Session Last?
    Neurofeedback training sessions last about 40 minutes to an hour. The duration may change depending on the unique characteristics of your brain and how it is responding. Although neurofeedback is training, it is not like going to the gym, where more extended training is often helpful. Neurofeedback requires that we respect how and where their brain likes to be trained, so duration is not the emphasis of the training.
  • What Can I Expect in a Session?
    A qualified neurofeedback practitioner does an initial interview to obtain a description of symptoms and get a picture of the health history and family history. Then a careful assessment of your chief symptoms and neurofeedback goals will be completed. Your symptoms will continue to be reviewed at the beginning of each session. Your participation is key so that the clinician can monitor for the effects of the training. For younger clients, a parent or a guardian will be included in the assessment. You will sit in a comfortable chair, and sensors will be placed on the scalp using a special paste. The location of the sensors on the scalp is based on assessment findings according to protocols. It is important to be reassured that no electricity passes to the person being trained. The sensors simply measure brain waves. Through a computer program and based on the individual's unique training plan, brain waves are then shown to the brain to make corrections and self-regulate. This usually involves watching a movie that is included in the software abilities.
  • What Are Brain Waves, and Why Do They Matter?"
    What Are Brain Waves, and Why Do They Matter? Brainwaves are electrical impulses in the brain. An individual’s behavior, emotions, and thoughts are communicated between neurons within our brains. All brainwaves are produced by synchronized electrical pulses from masses of neurons communicating with each other. Our brainwaves occur at various frequencies. Some are fast, and some are slow. The classic names of these EEG bands are delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma. They are measured in cycles per second or hertz (Hz). These brainwave states range from deep, dreamless sleep to high arousal. The same four brainwave states are common to the human species. People of all ages experience the same characteristic brainwaves. They are consistent across cultures and country boundaries. Beta - Beta brainwaves (13-38Hz) are smaller, faster brainwaves associated with a state of mental, intellectual activity and outwardly focused concentration. When the brain is aroused and actively engaged in mental activities, it generates beta waves. Beta waves are characteristics of a strongly engaged mind. A person in active conversation would be in beta. This is a state of alertness. Alpha - Alpha brainwaves (8-12Hz) are slower and larger. They are associated with a state of relaxation and represent the brain shifting into an idling gear, waiting to respond when needed. If we close our eyes and begin picturing something peaceful, there is an increase in alpha brainwaves. A person who has completed a task and sits down to rest is often in an alpha state. A person who takes time out to reflect or meditate is usually in an alpha state. Alpha could be characterized by the presence of being in the ‘now.’ Theta- Theta brainwaves (4-7Hz) brain waves represent a daydreamy, spacey state of mind associated with mental inefficiency. At very slow levels, theta brain wave activity is a very relaxed state, representing the twilight zone between waking and sleep. Theta brainwaves are typical of greater amplitude and slower frequency. A person who has taken time off from a task and begins to daydream is often in a theta brainwave state. A person who is driving on a freeway, and discovers that they can't recall the last five miles, is often in a theta state--induced by the process of freeway driving. Theta has been referred to as a state of inner intuition and often when good ideas occur. The ideation that can take place during the theta state is often free flow and occurs without censorship or guilt. It is typically a very positive mental state. Delta- Delta brainwaves (1-3Hz) are the slowest, highest amplitude brainwaves and are what we experience when we are asleep. Delta brainwaves are of the greatest amplitude and slowest frequency. When we go to bed and read for a few minutes before attempting sleep, we are likely to be in low beta. When we put the book down, turn off the lights and close our eyes, our brainwaves will descend from beta to alpha, to theta, and finally, when we fall asleep, to delta.
  • Why the Othmer Method *Cygnet” of Neurofeedback?
    Amanda Burns selected the Othmer Neurofeedback method as it resonated with the emphasis on quality care that requires rigorous training and certification. Due to Amanda’s extensive experience in mental health as a health professional, she was drawn by the Othmers highlighting that each brain is different. Therefore, individualized interventions should be utilized. A one-sized-fits-all neurofeedback training is not what Cygnet embraces but rather protocols based on the unique symptoms and challenges the client wants to be addressed. While it requires lengthier clinician training and continual recertification, this ensures Amanda is using the most updated research to support the clients in their neurofeedback training.
  • Can the Brain Learn?
    The brain is amazingly adaptable and capable of learning. It can also learn to improve its performance if only it is given cues about what to change. Making information available to the brain about functioning and asking it to make adjustments can help it reach improved brain health. When the brain is doing a good job of regulating itself, and the person is alert and attentive, the brain waves (EEG) show a particular pattern. We challenge the person to maintain this "high-performance," alert, and attentive state. Gradually, the brain learns, just like it learns anything else. Just like other learning, the brain tends to retain the new skill. Advancements in neuroplasticity and neurogenesis understanding, support the fact that the brain has the ability to change.
  • How Does the Brain Train?
    Sensors are placed on the scalp in unique and individualized areas based on a careful assessment of reported symptoms. The sensors then digitalize your brain wave activity found in the EEG (nothing is put into your brain). The neurofeedback computer system processes the brain waves and extracts specific data. The ebb and flow of your brain waves and the detailed information obtained from them are immediately shown back to you (feedback) in the form of a movie or video game using visual, sensory, and auditory means. When observing your brain wave activity in real-time on advanced computerized equipment, you can see what is happening to your brain as your state & awareness change. We show you your brain activity and help you change it by rewarding shifts toward a more functional and stable brain state. It is a gradual learning process. It essentially is brain exercise (training) for better overall brain functioning.
  • How Often Should I Attend Neurofeedback Sessions?
    Ideally, appointments are scheduled one to three times per week for maximum benefit. This is not always possible due to schedules, but a minimum of once-a-week sessions is highly recommended. Some changes can be experienced in as few as one to five sessions, but more treatments are usually necessary for the change to be long-lasting. To acquire the basic self-regulation skills and allow for meaningful change, the average number of sessions is usually 20. Many clients chose to continue training. As each session progresses, self–evaluation with you, the client, is utilized to re-evaluate the treatment plan. Sessions run in length from 40 to 50 minutes (clinical hour). Services at Self Matters are paid on a fee-for-service model.
  • Are There Different Types of Neurofeedback?
    Yes. Some types of Neurofeedback Programs include: ​ -Cygnet - neurofeedback program allows Clinicians trained in the Othmer method to create each individual's treatment plan, using research-based protocols as a guide and making clinical adjustments throughout the treatment to find optimal effectiveness. Cygnet and the -Othmer method allow for more hands-on and individualized interaction between the client and the clinician by modifying the training every step along the way based on current symptoms and the brain's response for more effective and accelerated learning. Cygnet is able to provide both Infra-Low and Alpha Theta neurofeedback training (eeginfo.com). This is the type of Neurofeedback Self Matters uses. -NeurOptimal - neurofeedback program that allows renting or purchasing equipment for at-home use; more of a one-size-fits-all approach that can be administered by an individual who is not trained in Neurofeedback -LoReta - requires a QEEG brain map, z-scores, and a full 10-20 electrode cap along with an experienced clinician in the office (biofeedback-tech.com) -Other Brain Training products that can be used concurrently with Neurofeedback: -Low Energy Neurofeedback System (LENS) - a form of "stim" technology that provides pulsed electricity or pulsed electromagnetic signals to stimulate the brain's activity (chicagomindsolutions.com) o Alpha-Stim - cranial electrotherapy stimulation (alpha-stim.com) o NeuroSky - EEG Biosensor to read brain activity for apps (neurosky.com) o Muse - Senses your brain wave activity for meditation (choosemuse.com)
  • Autism
    Neurofeedback training has been shown to assist those with autism verbally, physically, and in social communication. Improved speech, responsiveness, balance, and understanding of facial expressions have been observed. Neurofeedback training has also been shown to assist in decreasing sensory sensitivities and to allow individuals to respond better to changes in the environment. Additional gains may include improved self-expression, improved speech, improved responsiveness to external stimuli, improved spatial/body awareness leading to better balance, enhanced understanding of facial expressions of others, decreased sensory sensitivities. While neurofeedback is not a cure for autism, it can help to improve the quality of life of people with autism by reducing the symptoms and by increasing their functioning
  • Anger
    While anger may be justified and fitting in certain situations, not all anger is appropriate or well placed. Underlying emotions of that anger, such as fear or hurt, may not be recognized fully, causing the anger to manifest and cause undesired outcomes in a person's life. Neurofeedback can allow the person to have reduced nervous system activation (fight-or-flight) when they feel triggered and allow for relaxation. Then their frontal lobe can engage and will enable them to think more clearly and objectively as charged emotions decreased in intensity. Neurofeedback can help to enhance self-control, ability to focus, objectivity, with a greater sense of presence and well-being.
  • Learning Difficulties
    Challenges in the auditory, memory, or processing functions can cause learning problems. This can result in difficulties in understanding or remembering words, expressing or receiving oral or written language, forming letters, or grasping mathematical concepts. It has been found that those with learning difficulties show elevated levels of Alpha and Theta brainwaves, and this could be disruptive to ongoing mental activities. Neurofeedback aims to lower Alpha and Theta brainwaves and improve reading, writing, mathematics, drawing abilities, and increasing IQ scores. Neurofeedback can help increase memory, improve concentration, enhance the ability to shift quickly from tasks, improve visual-auditory processing, and increase processing information speed.
  • Anxiety and Panic Attacks
    A certain degree of anxiety is normal and helps us be alert and productive. Extreme reactions such as panic attacks, phobias, severe tension, or performance anxiety can interfere with functioning. Such high levels of anxiety are often a sign of difficulties with self-regulation by the brain. Anxiety can be either a thought or emotion generated (or a combination) response to a perceived threat. Neurofeedback training gives you specific information from your EEG and nudges your brain to bring aspects of it under control, training the brain to regulate itself better. This learned skill is subsequently unconsciously employed to shift to a more relaxed and appropriate high-performance state, assisting in overcoming anxiety and panic attacks. Benefits can include regaining mental alertness and clarity in thinking, restoring management of work and personal responsibilities, increasing self-confidence, increased feeling of relaxation, fostering a feeling of being grounded and centered, and renewed ability to set goals & manage tasks.
  • Peak Mental Performance – Business Professionals, Athletes, Artists"
    Skill, creativity, and reduction of anxiety are important components to any sort of performance and lend themselves to being mentally ready and self-confident. Neurofeedback can help you improve the relationship between your mental state and your performance ability, thereby helping you to achieve better performance. Neurofeedback teaches you to regulate your thoughts, attention, and energy. Your brain will learn to recognize when you are unfocused, overwhelmed, over-analyzing, stuck, and train your brain to return to a balanced state. Neurofeedback training protocols address physiological arousal, focus, attention, hemispheric brain balance, relaxation, executive function, and plasticity. Neurofeedback can allow the brain greater flexibility, which results in greater self-confidence and resilience to enhance your natural abilities and talents. Business professionals, artists, and athletics understand the importance of mastering their mental state. Resilience and adaptability are critical skills to ensure they are at optimal and peak performance. Self-regulation of the mind and relaxing at appropriate times can enable the use of stress to its advantage and build of its energy. The training protocols address issues of physiological arousal, focus and attention, hemispheric brain balance, relaxation, executive function, and plasticity. Some advantages can be: -Improvement in critical thinking, -Heightened focus and attention, -Enhanced memory, mood, and anxiety management, -Freedom to allow the creative process to flow. -Overcome creative blocks, negative self-talk, anxiety, and tension. -Greater mastery of technique, creative expression, and self-confidence. -Make corrections and technique changes easily. -Enhanced capacity to maintain attention and focus for extended periods. -An aptitude for quieting the internal critic and being fully present at the moment. =Reduced anxiety and stress.
  • Auto-Immune Dysfunction
    Empirical evidence indicates that Neurofeedback training can assist the symptoms of autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system is at war with the normal functioning body. Diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and Lupus have been observed to improve. Benefits are shown in terms of higher energy levels, better sleep, focused attention, reduced mood volatility, normalization of pain thresholds, and improved overall well-being. While neurofeedback training does not reverse the course of the disease process, it is quite generally observed that persons afflicted with these conditions may be relieved of much of their pain; they may be more robust and energetic with the training, and they may not be as heavily impacted by flare-ups of the condition based on research.
  • Addictions
    Advanced understanding of addiction indicates that most people who suffer from substance abuse disorders are also struggling with underlying issues, such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, and, most of all, trauma. These co-occurring disorders often trigger relapses for clients in recovery (or prompt clients to leave treatment prematurely), so it is essential for clients to be treated for their substance abuse disorder and any underlying conditions. Neurofeedback can assist clients in tolerating stress, anxiety, and stress-eliciting situations that occur during addiction recovery and abstinence. By moving from a stressful state to a calm and relaxed frame of mind, addictive and destructive behaviours may be reduced and enhance the probability of success and commitment to decreased substance use. The goal of Neurofeedback includes assisting the participant in feeling less anxious, feeling more comfortable and relaxed; improved attention, concentration, and focus; improved objectivity with one's personal experiences; and improved sense of presence and well-being.
  • Depression
    Depression causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It is more than short periods of melancholy or feeling "blue." Untreated or unresolved, it can lead to a major depressive disorder. Low moods affect how you feel, think, behave, and lead to various emotional and physical problems. Self-esteem can be significantly impacted and negatively influence one's outlook on life and interfere with working, studying, sleeping, eating, and enjoying pleasurable activities. Neurofeedback addresses the physiological arousal and inflexibility impacting mood, detachment, energy, motivation to improve the overall quality of life. Depression related to past trauma is particularly affected with Alpha-Theta training to allow the sub-cortical brain to process what has occurred.
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder & Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
    Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is generally related to a single event, while complex PTSD is related to a series of events or one prolonged event. Symptoms of PTSD can arise after a traumatic episode, such as a car collision, an earthquake, or sexual assault. C-PTSD often stems from such things as ongoing childhood neglect or abuse, domestic abuse, human trafficking, and living in a war-torn region. Both PTSD and C-PTSD result from the experience of something deeply traumatic and can cause flashbacks, nightmares, and insomnia. Both conditions can also make you feel intensely afraid and unsafe even though the danger has passed. While they are different in many ways, there can be overlapping symptoms. Indicators can include enhanced startle reflex, becoming emotionally numb or reactive, loss of interest in enjoyable activities, dissociation, and avoidance behaviours. Neurofeedback can assist the client feel less anxious, increased sense of well-being, relaxation and calm, and traumatic memory processing without emotional and cognitive distress.
  • Stress
    Stress is the body's response to pressure and can result in a feeling of being overwhelmed or unable to cope with mental, emotional, or physical strain. Stress is a highly individualized experience and is usually linked to a negative rather than a positive experience. Our ability to cope can depend on our genetics, early life events, personality, and social and economic circumstances. Even though a reasonable amount of stress is normal, too much stress can cause adverse effects. It can leave us in a permanent state of fight or flight, leaving us overwhelmed or unable to cope. Long term, this can affect our physical and mental health and manifest itself through physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, muscle pains, and emotional reactivity. Regardless of the source of the stress, Neurofeedback seeks to support the brain to be more flexible and avoid an over-arousal state that negatively affects the brain and body. Neurofeedback can increase the immunity to stress, increase productivity, deeper relaxation, better mind/body integration, improved self-awareness, and enhanced well-being.
  • Chronic Pain (some types of)
    Those who deal with chronic pain experience life in a very different manner than healthy people. Their pain is often entirely invisible to others, yet every act must be weighed against their pain, rest, and recovery required to perform activities of daily living. Chronic pain has extensive effects, is exhausting, and creates a constant uncertainty and apprehension that influences cognitions and complex inner emotions. Neurofeedback aims to help those with chronic pain have a decrease in intensity, frequency, and duration of pain, improved mood, improved energy and motivation, and enhanced quality of life. Training with Alpha-Theta can assist the brain in processing early trauma or the ongoing trauma of chronic pain that may be influencing the pain response.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Challenges
    Obsessive-Compulsive Challenges Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves persistent, upsetting thoughts (obsessions) and the use of rituals or behaviours (compulsions) to control the anxiety these thoughts produce. Some individuals may only have OC traits but find that it is impacting their life satisfaction significantly. Individuals who use Neurofeedback for OCD may feel less anxious, comfortable, and relaxed; feeling of being grounded and centered, set goals, and manage tasks; feeling removed from the need to ruminate and perform compulsive behaviours.
  • Sleeping Problems
    Sleep challenges often involve the sleep experience itself, such as initial insomnia (difficulty falling asleep), middle insomnia (frequent waking during sleep), and late insomnia (early waking). Other challenges can include waking after sleep unrested, sleepwalking, bedwetting, nightmares, night terrors, bruxism (teeth grinding during sleep). With the overarching goal of regulated sleep patterns/cycles (circadian rhythms), Neurofeedback training has been used successfully to assist these challenges to aid with mental calming, emotional calming, and physical calming so the brain can transition into a healthy sleep state.
  • Minor Traumatic Brain Injury (Concussion)
    A concussion is also often referred to as mild head injury, minor head injury, or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Regardless of the terminology used, the occurrence of a head injury in these cases causes the brain to shake back and forth inside the skull, causing ‘mild’ damage. A concussion is commonly caused by falls, road crashes, assaults, and sports accidents. While most mild head injuries result in no long-term damage to the brain, they can cause temporary disruption to brain function that can last for at least several weeks, months or years. Mild head injury can leave people with a range of concussion symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, confusion, inability to process or retain information, sensitivity to light, vision distortion, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. While most people's concussion symptoms will resolve themselves in a few days or weeks, some people may find that they persist for much longer. Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is the name given to the range of symptoms that continue to occur following a mild head injury or concussion. Clinical experience has shown that significant further recovery can be elicited with Neurofeedback training even after other therapies have reached a plateau. Neurofeedback focuses on improving focus and attention, improved memory, enhanced skills acquisition and retention, enhanced cognition, and emotion regulation.
  • AD(H)D
    Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition categorized as predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactivity-impulsive, or a combination of both. In terms of brain wave activity, those with ADHD appear to be less able to produce Beta brainwave activity. They are not able to shift out of theta waves when they need to focus and may use hyperactive behaviour to help reach a beta wave state To learn and concentrate, the brain needs to emit high levels of Beta brainwaves and low levels of Theta brainwaves, as an imbalance is believed to be associated with poor concentration. Neurofeedback training aims at increasing Beta waves and decreasing Theta waves. Benefits can include heightened focus and attention, reduced anxiety, improved skills acquisition and retention, increased analytical and creative thinking skills, strengthened communication skills, improved memory.
  • Grief/Loss
    While grief is usually associated with death, it can come with any type of loss and can generate a sense of fear as we feel increasingly powerless and helpless. Grief can occur with any loss as we go through life, including relationship breakups, loss of health, career, finances, miscarriage, serious illness, and losing an asset of sentimental value such as a home. While grief is a normal and natural response, losses can create a great deal of pain and suffering. Dealing with loss is both an intellectual and emotional process. The person tries to establish a psychological and physical sense of self. Adapting to the 'new reality' involves many functions and can be impaired by prolonged and intensely painful emotional distress. Neurofeedback can enhance a sense of well-being, improved focus, sleep, and energy by balancing and calming the brain's state. Alpha-Theta and Synchrony training can support the brain to process traumatic experiences and enhance inner calm.
  • Headaches & Migraines
    Headaches and Migraines can be debilitating experiences. Empirical evidence reveals that Neurofeedback has been found to be successful in reducing, and often eliminating, tension headaches and migraines. With improved brain self-regulation, a change in the physiological state so the brain can have a higher threshold for headache onset. According to research, more than 80% of neurofeedback trainers report remediation of headache syndromes. Outcomes can include changes in frequency, duration, and intensity of headaches.
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Amanda Burns MA, RN, RPN, RCC -ACS

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