What Neurotherapy Is Useful For
By assessing brainwave activity, neurotherapy, also known as neurofeedback or electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback, helps patients learn how to alter their brain activity and enhance self-regulation.
Neurotherapy treatment records electrical activity on the scalp non-invasively and maps brain waves using a computer-based device. To train the brain, the recorded brain waves are combined with visual or auditory cues, such as those from a video game.
Many mental and neurological conditions in children can be supported through neurotherapies. While some approaches are still considered emerging or experimental, a growing body of research highlights their potential benefits in pediatric care. Conditions that may respond well to these therapies include:
- ADHD; improving focus, impulse control, and emotional regulation
- Sleep disturbances; helping children fall asleep faster and maintain restful sleep
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); supporting emotional regulation and social responsiveness
- Epilepsy; aiding in the reduction of seizure activity in some cases
- Anxiety, stress, and childhood depression; promoting calmer moods and resilience
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); assisting children in processing trauma and improving emotional balance
These therapies are designed to work in a non-invasive, child-friendly way and are often part of a broader, individualized treatment plan.
How Can Neurotherapy Enhance Brain Activity?
A patient who participates in neurotherapy trains their brain to generate more typical brain wave patterns.
An imbalance between high frequency (beta) and low frequency (theta) brain waves can be associated with symptoms such as difficulty focusing or struggling with learning. With training, brain wave can be changed to a healthier pattern, and abnormal brain activity can be identified via brain mapping and neurofeedback.
- For instance, individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may exhibit both insufficient levels of high-frequency (beta) brain waves and excessive low-frequency (theta) brain waves, whereas those with depression may exhibit both.
Positive reinforcement is frequently used in neurotherapy to train the brain. When brain waves are meeting the targets, the person receives visual or auditory feedback such as the screen coming into focus and hearing beeps or the audio becoming louder. Electroencephalogram (EEG) sensors, track brain activity as a patient engages in a computer game or watches a video. If the targets are not being met, the screen may fade, progress may not be made in the game, and/or sound will fade. Much like riding a bike, the brain will figure out how to “balance” and what needs to happen in order to get the positive reinforcement. And, as the brain practices operating in a new way, the new pathways are being strengthened.
Brainwaves are electrical activity produced by the brain. Every brain uses brainwaves to communicate with itself, and the relative balance of these waves affects how you function daily and can change based on your mental state. There are four different types of brainwaves: Delta, Theta, Alpha and Beta. Different mental states, including deep sleep, focus, and relaxation, are influenced by the relative balance of these brainwaves.
Mental health symptoms can be associated with specific brainwave patterns. For instance, a deficiency of Alpha waves can make it harder to relax, while an excess of High Beta waves may exacerbate anxiousness. In order to promote a healthier mental state, neurotherapy helps to regulate these brainwaves. Neural networks like the executive function network, salience network, and default mode network can also be impacted by neurotherapy.
Over time, neurotherapy encourages the brain to develop more ideal patterns of activity. Neurotherapy treatment encourages healthy brainwave patterns by focusing on particular brain regions, which can enhance focus, relaxation, and emotional control.
How can Neurofeedback help as part of your treatment plan?
The most popular type of neurotherapy is neurofeedback. Electroencephalogram (EEG) sensors track a patient’s brainwave activity while they engage with a video or game. When the patient’s brain wave activity meets predetermined targets, there will be visual and auditory feedback.
Neurofeedback helps the patient to naturally create new neural pathways through training and practice. This means, for example, that while a parent might remind their child to focus a few times while doing homework for 30 minutes, neurofeedback is actually giving feedback to the brain approximately once every 4 seconds – this means that the child practices shifting their back to a focused state over 300 times in one session. This is how changes in the brain are made with neurofeedback. With this high level of practice, it gets easier for the client to shift and access the more desired state. In this example, it means that the child would find it easier and more natural to shift into a focused state than previously. With it being easier to focus, the child is then more available for learning at school, follow the instructions the parent or sports coach gives, implement what they are learning in counseling, or even tuning in to what their friends are saying. Neurofeedback doesn’t teach things like how to do math, or how to study, but it can help the brain to be in a state where instruction, coaching, or learning of new information can happen more easily.
Neurotherapy For Challenging Medical Conditions
Patients who have not responded well to conventional types of treatment may find neurotherapy to be an interesting option to add to their treatment plan. Current neurotherapies are already benefiting people who haven’t been able to find successful treatment alternatives elsewhere, even if next-generation neurotherapies are probably still ten to twenty years away.
Which Medical Conditions Might Neurofeedback Help With?
For those with ADHD and other mental health conditions like , anxiety, and depression, Autism, and neurofeedback has shown promising results. Additionally, neurofeedback seems to have been effectively utilized to help address a variety of issues that impact people’s quality of life, including issues with motivation and focus, sleep, and anger control.
The Step-by-Step Procedure for Neurotherapy:
1. First Consultation:
Talking about symptoms, objectives, and if neurotherapy is a suitable fit is the first step in the process.
2. QEEG, or brain mapping:
Brainwave activity is recorded during a painless brain map in order to detect patterns and imbalances and develop a customized strategy.
3. Tailored Therapy Program:
The brain map and each patient’s symptoms and needs are taken into consideration while creating a customized training protocol.
4. Sessions of Neurofeedback:
Much like going to the gym, neurofeedback results rely on consistency. Clients typically participate in neurofeedback therapy twice per week for 10 weeks.
5. Tracking Progress:
Pre-treatment baseline evaluations, the brain-map, and individualized goals are set prior to beginning neurofeedback therapy. Each session, progress on the goals is tracked. After the block of neurofeedback sessions is complete, the evaluations and brain map are repeated and the progress on the individualized goals is also reviewed.
6. Long-Term Advantages:
The brain can learn to self-regulate with regular practice, fostering long-term mental and emotional health.
Advantages of Neurotherapy Compared to Conventional Treatment:
- A Drug-Free Method:
Because neurotherapy doesn’t involve the use of medication, it’s an option for people who prefer to try alternatives to medication, have not responded to medication, cannot take medication due to side effects, or perhaps are already taking medication (and benefitting), but are still looking for additional options to add to their treatment plan. - Painless and Non-Invasive:
Without the need for needles, surgery, or discomfort, the procedure uses sensors applied to the scalp to track brainwaves. - Customized for every brain:
Tailored for every brain, neurofeedback therapy is targeted and individualized protocols are created based on each person’s unique brain map and goals. - Durable Outcomes:
Frequent sessions teach the brain to regulate itself, which can reduce the need for ongoing therapy or medication.
- Reduced Adverse Reactions:
While every treatment can have adverse side effects and risks (discuss your concerns with your neurofeedback clinician), the side effects of neurofeedback are considered by many to be minimal and can include things like tiredness, headache, or even increased energy and focus.
- Enhances Basic Brain Function:
By enhancing brain function, neurotherapy tackles the underlying causes rather than merely treating symptoms.
Principal Advantages of Neurotherapy:
1. Natural & Drug-Free Healing:
People of all ages, including those with allergies or chronic illnesses, can safely undergo neurotherapy training.
2. Reduced Likelihood of Adverse Reactions:
While some adverse reactions like tiredness or headache can happen, these symptoms don’t last long and can be managed in the way a person normally manages tiredness or headaches. Just like exercise, where the body gradually gets used to the exercise, the brain and nervous system also get used to the new things they are asked to do as well.
3. Focuses on the Cause;
Neurotherapy addresses the issues that are resulting in symptoms; training the brain and nervous system to function differently can help to support a decrease in symptoms
4. Safe for Lifestyle & Chronic Conditions:
Neurotherapy is particularly useful in the treatment of conditions that traditional medicine can struggle to address in the long run, such as depression, anxiety, migraine, and IBS.
Can You or Your Child Benefit from Neurotherapy?
When conventional treatments have not been a fit or have not completely addressed the symptoms, neurotherapy can be a potent choice for people dealing with brain- and nervous-system based issues. It might be appropriate for you or your child in the following situations:
- Attention issues or ADHD.
- Sleep problems
- Depression or anxiety
- Delays in learning
- Problems with behavior.
- PTSD or symptoms associated with trauma.
Neurotherapy is appropriate for both adults and children because it is drug-free and customized for each individual’s brain. To find out if it’s the best fit for your particular requirements and objectives, it’s crucial to speak with a certified practitioner.
In summary, a natural way to improve brain health:
By assisting the brain in retraining and regulating itself through natural processes, neurotherapy presents a promising, drug-free method of brain rehabilitation. This therapy targets the underlying cause rather than just the symptoms, whether you have anxiety, ADHD, sleep issues, or chronic depression.
Neurotherapy gives people a safe, non-invasive way to take charge of their mental health by employing real-time feedback and customized brain mapping. Children and adults who have not found relief through traditional means appreciate having another option.
Neurotherapy might be a fit for you if you’re looking to enhance focus, find emotional equilibrium, and enhance general brain function. To find out if this treatment is a good fit for your child’s or your own particular needs, speak with a qualified professional at Rocky Mountain Psychological Services.
