Neurofeedback

Offered by Tiffany Smith, RN

A fun, non-invasive, drug-free way to train your brain.

Many of the functions our bodies perform are not intentional or executed consciously. It would be safe to say we are not aware of all the intricacies going on inside our heads or how our emotions and thought are related to all the connections made in our brain

The brain contains billions of neurons that are constantly sending signals to one another in order to function. We are just beginning to learn what a key role these signals, called brain waves, play in our mental and physical health.

In the 1930’s it was discovered that exchanges between the neurons produce a small electromagnetic field. This discovery made possible to map those exchanges via Quantitative Electroencephalography (qEEG).

FAQs

  • qEEG Neurofeedback is an innovative way to manage our brains by studying the electrical activity, or frequency of our brain waves. It involves placing electrodes on the head that enable it to read the electrical signals emitted by the brain.

    Certain brain wave frequencies represent the mental state in which we find ourselves. For example:

    Alpha Frequency

    When relaxed with closed eyes, Dominant brain wave frequency is generally between 8 and 13 Hz.

    Delta Frequency

    When fully asleep Dominant brain wave frequency is generally between 0.5 and 4 Hz.

    Irregular brain waves can indicate dysfunction in the brain and correlate to a large list of conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, insomnia, depression, etc.

    Neurofeedback informs our brains through visual and auditory feedback to learn to correct any irregular brain wave patterns.

    Harnessing neuroplasticity, or our brain’s ability to change itself, neurofeedback gently guides the brain to self-correct brain wave patterns.

    Neurofeedback is a student with a teacher sitting next to them, pointing out errors and allowing them to correct mistakes as they go.

    As neurofeedback sessions progress, the brain begins to self-correct on its own without the aid of a machine.

  • During a typical neurofeedback session:

    • Several electrodes are positioned on your head.

    • Clips are placed on each ear, acting as grounding points and enabling the machine to measure brain activity on demand.

    • Electrodes take the brain waves recorded and compare it to the neutral activity measured on the clips on each ear lobe.

    For the duration of the session, you will watch a video on a computer screen. A dimming screen is placed in front of the images on the screen. When the brain makes the connections needed, it rewards with clear views of the video.

  • The brain unconsciously learns to stabilize brain wave patterns in order to have the reward of seeing the video going, slowly reorganizing neurons little by little to perform at optimal levels and resulting in lifelong change.

    The brain is a muscle, and like other muscles, if we make it repeat the same exercises, these end up becoming automatic. This is equivalent to a high-level athlete who practices the same actions until they become as natural as possible.

    As with sports, we improve with practice, and eventually the brain is able to achieve these positive changes without the device. With neurofeedback, you become a participant in your journey to healing and brain optimization.

  • While neurofeedback is FDA approved to Anxiety and Depression, it is also used to train the brain and has shown benefits for stress, anxiety, ADHD, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and many other neurological and psychological problems, it is a technique used to optimize the brain, therefore proving beneficial for anybody. It has been used to enhance peak performance in athletes and is good for improving attention, memory, and creativity.

  • A qEEG assessment scan will allow our trained professionals to determine the best neurofeedback plan for you. While there are some practices that offer neurofeedback without a qEEG, research has shown that qEEG-backed neurotherapy is more effective and cost efficient, as the data allows us to target the specific areas of your brain that need help.

    Our staff will show and explain your qEEG results during the consultation and partner with you to create your own customized plan of action.

  • There is a plethora of scientific research supporting the effectiveness of neurofeedback, and it is quickly emerging as a promising field that can enhance quality of life for all ages.

Enrollment

We have limited spots for our QEEG times. Please contact 405-317-2742 to start on your Neurofeedback journey! You may email any questions to livinglifeassist@gmail.com

QEEG FAQs

  • Scientific research shows that many of the problems affecting Americans – depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and ADHD for example, can be caused by problems with the normal function of the brain. CT and MRI scans look at brain structure, but they don’t actually look at brain function. While these are very valuable tools, it is now possible to look beyond the structure of the brain and view the function of the brain, creating new possibilities for healthy brain function. Brain waves are the synchronized electrical pulses that comprise the communication between the millions of neurons within our brains, and they are the root of all our emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Because brain waves change according to what we’re doing and feeling, we can tell a lot about a person’s overall brain function by their brain wave patterns. Thanks to EEG (Electroencephalography) technology, we can now measure these brain waves via the tiny amounts of electrical activity in the brain that are produced when neurons communicate. A qEEG (Quantitative Electroencephalogram) is a diagnostic tool that takes it a step further, going beyond the one-dimensional analysis of EEG and creating two- and three-dimensional images that show brain function in detail, analyzing and tracking those brain wave patterns measured by electrical activity in the brain. A qEEG is used for “brain mapping” or recording patterns in brain waves using sensors placed on the scalp. Brain waves tell us how our brain is functioning and can reveal imbalances in our emotional or neuro-physical health. Instabilities in brain wave rhythms correlate to tics, anxiety, insomnia, depression, migraines, attention deficit, and much more. Revealing unstable brain patterns allows us to pinpoint the areas in the brain that are not working properly to develop a treatment plan and to map our client’s progress.

  • A QEEG is a valuable component of the treatment plans at Genesis, eliminating the need to speculate or guess based on symptoms. Because it shows the electrical activity of the brain, a QEEG can reveal if activity in certain areas of the brain is too high or low, as well as how your brain cells are communicating with each other. The information gleaned from a QEEG can be used for baseline information, in addition to tracking progress with neurofeedback or biofeedback treatment. Our clinical QEEG assessment is the first step in forming a personalized plan to return the brain to a balanced state in order to boost performance and overall function.

  • A QEEG is a fairly simple, painless process that involves putting something similar to a shower-cap on your head containing various electrodes. You will not feel any type of buzzing or shock from these electrodes – they are simply recording electrical activity. A conducting gel is then inserted beneath each electrode. The gel easily washes out of your hair after the QEEG.

    Before the QEEG, make sure you have washed your hair, but do not use any products such as gel or hairspray. You will be required to complete a consent form and list all medications you are currently taking. Once the cap and electrodes are in place with the gel, a computer will monitor and record your brain’s electrical activity as you sit comfortably with your eyes closed for ten minutes. You will be given a break, and then repeat the process with your eyes open. Once the QEEG is complete, your data will be compiled into a brain map that reveals brain activity and function. We then use this information to make a specialized neurofeedback plan in order to stabilize brain function and correct any imbalances.

Brain Training FAQs

  • Neurofeedback is a fun, non-invasive, drug-free treatment that helps you strengthen and retrain your brain. It is a type of biofeedback, which is a rapidly-developing field that is producing numerous benefits.

    So many of the functions our bodies perform are not intentional or executed consciously. It would be safe to say we are not aware of all the intricacies going on inside our heads, or of all the connections made in our brain in relation to an emotion or thought. Our brain contains billions of neurons that are constantly sending signals to one another in order to function. Thanks to the discovery in the 1930’s that data exchanges between the neurons produce a small electromagnetic field, it is now possible to map those exchanges via Quantitative Electroencephalography (qEEG). These electrical signals are called brain waves, and we are just beginning to learn what a key role our brain waves play in our mental and physical health. qEEG Neurofeedback is an innovative way to manage our brains by studying the frequency of our brain waves, or electrical activity within the brain. It involves placing electrodes on the clients head that enable it to read the electrical signals emitted by the brain. Certain brain wave frequencies represent the mental state in which we find ourselves. For example, when relaxed with closed eyes, the dominant brain wave frequency is generally between 8 and 13 hz. Irregular brain waves can indicate dysfunction in the brain and correlate to a large list of conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, insomnia, depression, etc. Neurofeedback informs our brains through visual and auditory feedback to learn to correct any irregular brain wave patterns. Harnessing neuroplasticity, or our brain’s ability to change itself, neurofeedback gently guides the brain to self correct brain wave patterns. Think of it as a student having a teacher sitting next to them, pointing out errors and allowing them to correct them. As neurofeedback sessions progress, the brain begins to self correct on its own without the aid of a machine.

    During a typical neurofeedback session, you put on a hat with several receptors attached to their head. Clips are placed on each ear, acting as grounding points and enabling the machine to measure brain activity on demand. Each receptor will take the brain waves recorded and compare it to the neutral activity measured on the clips on each ear lobe. The rest of the session is steered by the computer, and only requires you to watch a video or play a video game. When the computer program detects that brain wave patterns have become irregular, it dims or interrupts the video or game briefly. It is this microcut that constitutes feedback and allows the brain to return to normal brain waves, restoring the video or video game. The brain unconsciously learns to stabilize brain wave patterns in order to keep the video going, slowly reorganizing neurons little by little to perform at optimal levels and resulting in lifelong change. The brain is a muscle, and like other muscles, if we make it repeat the same exercises, these end up becoming automatic. This is equivalent to a high level athlete who practices the same actions until they become as natural as possible. As with sports, we improve with practice, and eventually the brain is able to achieve these positive changes without the device. With neurofeedback, you become a participant in your journey to healing and brain optimization.

    While neurofeedback is used to treat stress, anxiety, ADHD, depression, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and many other neurological and psychological problems, it is a technique used to optimize the brain, therefore proving beneficial for anybody. It has been used to enhance peak performance in athletes and is good for improving attention, memory, and creativity.

  • A qEEG assessment scan will allow our trained professionals to determine the best neurofeedback plan for you. While there are some practices that offer neurofeedback without a qEEG, research has shown that qEEG-backed neurotherapy is more effective and cost efficient, as the data allows us to target the specific areas of your brain that need help. Our staff will show and explain your qEEG results during the consultation and partner with you to create your own customized plan of action.

  • There is a plethora of scientific research supporting the effectiveness of neurofeedback, and it is quickly emerging as a promising field that can enhance quality of life for all ages. Scientific studies have reported significant improvements from neurofeedback sessions in the following areas:

    Seizures, Dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, OCD, PTSD, Anxiety, Insomnia, Memory Improvement, and Peak Performance Improvement

  • In Oklahoma, some insurances cover neurofeedback. We do not bill insurance, but are happy to give you a Superbill. Please check with your insurance company directly. Health Savings Accounts can be utilized. Most MedShare plans cover it.