Neurofeedback

Learn how you can train your brain to heal your body

Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that focuses on the brain and central nervous system.

Like other forms of biofeedback, it enables you to change your physiological activity—in this case, brainwaves—in order to enhance your health and well-being. Neurofeedback uses electroencephalography (EEG, a common diagnostic tool in neurology) to “feed back” information to your brain.

How Does Neurofeedback Work?

Neurofeedback identifies brainwave patterns associated with negative symptoms and provides feedback that encourages the production of more positive patterns—such as slowing down brainwaves, speeding them up, or acting on excitatory/inhibitory pathways.

Unlike conventional biofeedback, in which you concentrate and willfully try to change physiological reactions, you’re not “telling” your brain to calm down or rev up. This therapy focuses more or less on a subconscious level.

What Is a Typical Treatment Session Like?

Before treatment begins, you usually undergo a quantitative EEG that “maps” the electrical activity in your brain and identifies patterns that are likely causing symptoms.

When you undergo neurofeedback, electrodes are applied to your scalp that monitor the brain’s electrical impulses and transmit them to a computer. Then you simply sit back and watch a program on the computer screen.

If you’re focused and relaxed, you’ll enjoy the images and sounds on the computer. When your attention wanders or you become anxious, the pictures and sounds fade in and out until your brain gets back on track.

Sessions last about half an hour and are repeated as needed, usually six to 20 times, or as long as it takes for you to normalize brainwaves on your own.

Brain entrainment may also be used during neurofeedback sessions. This involves wearing special glasses that employ blinking lights to guide your brain toward specific wavelengths. The end result is an enduring sense of profound calmness and well-being similar to meditation or deep relaxation.

What Conditions Is Neurofeedback Good For?

Neurofeedback treats a variety of diverse conditions, including, but not limited to:

• Addiction
• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Autism
• Cognitive problems
• Depression
• Epilepsy
• Fibromyalgia
• Impulsivity
• Insomnia
• Migraines
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Tinnitus

Learn more about how we use neurofeedback at the Whitaker Wellness Institute.

More Dr. Whitaker Advice on Clinical Therapies

• Acupuncture
• Low-Dose Naltrexone
• Reflexology