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WHAT IS NEUROFEEDBACK?
WHAT ARE BRAINWAVES?
WHY DOES NEUROFEEDBACK WORK?
HOW DOES NEUROFEEDBACK WORK?
CAN NEUROFEEDBACK HELP ME OR SOMEONE I CARE ABOUT?
CAN CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM NEUROFEEDBACK?
HOW CAN NEUROFEEDBACK BE SUCCESSFUL WITH SO MANY CONDITIONS?
HOW LONG DOES TRAINING TAKE?
WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT?


WHAT IS NEUROFEEDBACK?

Neurofeedback refers to biofeedback of brainwave patterns. It is a method of retraining the brain to work more effectively. It is most commonly used to increase attention. In addictions, the technology is used to reduce cravings and compulsions, to decrease symptoms of mental illness such as anxiety, and depression. Neurofeedback is commonly used to decrease pain such as fibromyalgia and has been very effective in eradicating migraines. High achievers such as business men and women use it to become more efficient. This is all done by adjusting brain waves.

WHAT ARE BRAINWAVES?

The brainwaves are the result of the sum of electrical activity in the brain. Different brainwaves are associated with different consciousness states. For example, very slow waves (delta) are is associated with sleep or low activity. The next slowest brainwaves (theta) are associated with creativity and thinking in images and an under focused state. The most prominent brainwave is alpha which is associated with meditation and being relaxed. Beta is associated with increased focus. When we do Neurofeedback, we adjust specific brainwaves so the brain works more effectively.

WHY DOES NEUROFEEDBACK WORK?

Just like our weight, the brain has a set point. We may not like our present weight, but we tend to be stuck there. When someone tries to lose weight, the person gets to one set point and gets stuck. It takes a while for the body to move to another lower weight. The same thing is true of brain waves. They are set in a particular pattern that may not be optimal. In this pattern, one may feel anxious, or depressed, have cravings for food or drugs, experience fatigue, or have migraines. When we change the brain wave patterns, they tend to find another set point. At the new set point, the person functions better. The individual feels more relaxed, happier, attends better, experiences less pain, has less intense cravings for food or drugs, experiences an improvement in migraines, and so on, depending on the purpose of training.

HOW DOES NEUROFEEDBACK WORK?
Electrodes are placed put on a person's head and a machine reads the brainwave frequencies from the client’s head. A computer program gives the client visual or auditory feedback to help the person increase or decrease the amplitudes of the waves. For example, a person watches as a thermometer, which represents the person’s brainwave, moves up and down. The person learns to “hold” the brainwave under a threshold that has been set by the Neurofeedback therapist.

Over a period of time the client trains his/her brainwaves to a new set point. The brain is like a muscle in that it requires many repetitions to reach the desired end. Like weight loss and weight training, progress is slow but rewarding. Other people may notice changes before the client. Progress often continues once the client has completed treatment.

CAN NEUROFEEDBACK HELP ME OR SOMEONE I CARE ABOUT?
Neurofeedback can be used to enhance memory and focus, improve sleep and mood, stop worrying, alleviate fatigue, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia, reduce frequency of seizures in some cases, help restore cognitive skills and positive emotional feelings.

CAN CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM NEUROFEEDBACK?
Yes. Neurofeedback is commonly used for children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It is more likely to be used if the parents do not want to use medications, the medications are causing side effects, the medications are not working well enough, or the child is refusing to take medications. Neurofeedback is also being used for learning disabilities such as dyslexia, autism and related disorders, anxiety and depression, and reactive attachment disorder. Other modalities of treatment are generally used in addition. For example, a child with autism related disorder frequently receives occupational and speech therapy.

HOW CAN NEUROFEEDBACK BE SUCCESSFUL WITH SO MANY CONDITIONS?
The brain is responsible for many functions. Different parts of the brain have specialized tasks. For example, the front of the brain (frontal lobes and prefrontal cortex) is responsible for attention; the back and sides of the brain (the parietal and temporal lobes) put information of different types (sound and sight) together, and the area over the ears (the temporal lobes) is responsible for hearing and memory. Normalizing the brainwaves helps relieve symptoms and maximize brain function.

HOW LONG DOES TRAINING TAKE?
The number of sessions needed depends on several factors. While most clients train easily, some have more difficulty and so training may take longer. Some conditions require more sessions than others.

WHAT ABOUT INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT?
Neurofeedback is reimbursed by some insurance companies and not others depending on diagnosis and the insurance policy. Or partial payment may be available. Payment is the responsibility of the client.

Insurance companies usually pay for older modalities of treatment such as medication. Often, insurance companies do not cover tried and true services such as acupuncture, out patient nutrition services, or wellness services so neurofeedback may not be covered by your plan.

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For Appointments Contact
(773) 807-0936 |
Email Dr. Kathy Abbott, Psy. D.
3317 W. 95th St., Ste. 205, Evergreen Park, IL 60805


See the following websites for more information
www.isnr.org | www.eegspectrum.com
www.helpforadd.com | www.EMDR.com
Neurofeedback sounds complicated, but it's as simple as learning to ride a bike with training wheels.