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The brain whispers messages to the body through electrical impulses transmitted to the central nervous system. When the brain is injured, these electrical impulses, or brain waves, are disturbed, creating abnormal rhythmic patterns. When the brain continues to transmit these abnormal patterns, imbalances are created in the body. Since the body naturally desires balance, neurofeedback merely assists the brain in bringing itself and the body back into balance.
With the technological advancements of neurofeedback equipment, these whispers from the brain can now be amplified and projected on a computer screen as they are occurring in the brain. This capability is called “real time.” It enables a more skilled and precise interpretation of the brain wave patterns and provides the opportunity for immediate correction of abnormal rhythmic patterns.
Current brain research has shown that neuro-feedback can be an effective adjunct to the treatment of the following brain disorders: open or closed head injury, coma, stroke, autism, epilepsy, migraine, cluster headaches, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, learning disabilities, anoxia, depression, Parkinsons, post viral damage, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, addictions and other emotional illnesses.
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An Adventure in Self-Regulation
Neurofeedback is one of the most compelling examples of the body’s ability to self-regulate and bring itself back into balance. It offers individuals an opportunity to participate in their own healing process. The neurofeedback process unfolds as follows:
A Non-Invasive Process
Noninvasive sensors, or electrodes, are connected to specific sites on the surface of the head. The sensors enable the brain wave patterns to be displayed on the computer screen. By placing the sensors strategically on the head, specific areas of the brain can be trained to replace abnormal rhythmic patterns with normal rhythmic patterns.
The high speed neurofeedback equipment can filter out and display a wide array of electrical patterns and frequencies produced by the brain. Two of the most significant ones are: beta, a fast wave, and theta, a slow wave. Generally, the client’s goal is to produce stronger beta waves and inhibit excessive slower theta waves. The computer assists the brain in recognizing normal rhythmic patterns by producing audio and visual reinforcement when they occur. The brain makes the appropriate corrections immediately.
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