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Q: What is Biofeedback?
A: A gentle,
non-intrusive method using electronic devices to monitor and to
present biological information back to an individual, who can then
learn to control the process being monitored. This
self-regulating procedure provides immediate information
about your body/mind system, allowing your brain and body to
readjust and create a new balance.
Q: What is Neurofeedback? 
A: Neurofeedback is a specific type of
biofeedback procedure directed toward the renormalization of
the brain and central nervous system. It utilizes the very
tiny EEG (electroencephalogram) signals obtained from sensors
on the scalp, to monitor the brainwaves and provide a corresponding
signal (feedback) to the brain. In short, Neurofeedback is
brainwave training, a tool for the brain to directly learn
flexibility, mental control and increased
stability.
Well-described patterns of optimal brain
function are cultivated over sessions, accompanied by diminution or
elimination of pathologic conditions as the brain orchestrates its
own improvements. Results are at least long-lasting, often
permanent, and continue to advance following training.
Common applications of Neurofeedback
include addressing learning disabilities, particularly those
involving, or related to, ADD or ADHD. Such individuals
frequently show a "slowing" pattern in their EEG
(Electroencephalogram), so-called because of either the pronounced
level, or "surging", of Delta and/or Theta (slower, or lower
frequency) waves. Training to ameliorate these signature
patterns over several sessions has been shown to increase the
trainee's ability to attend and focus. Such patterns are
frequently experienced following brain injury or insult, and in
these cases often respond quickly to neurofeedback.
Q: What is
LENS Neurofeedback?
A: LENS is a specific type of Neurofeedback.
The LENS Low Energy Neurofeedback
System provides feedback to the brain in the form of an
extremely weak electromagnetic signal. Although the feedback
signal is weak, it results in a measurable change in the brainwaves,
all without conscious effort from the individual receiving the
feedback. This aspect is especially welcome with young
children, or those unable to fully consciously cooperate.
The unique LENS procedure creates a highly
personalized and detailed plan that accelerates the training
process.
During the session, the trainee sits in a
comfortable chair, typically for about 45 minutes. The
Neurofeedback Practitioner places an EEG (electroencephalograph)
lead at different sites on the trainee’s head. A computer that
is connected to the EEG encoder analyzes the brainwave signal and
signals the encoder to produce feedback that precisely tracks, and
is offset from, the brain’s own signal at that point in
time.
The procedure is completely painless and results
are often noticed immediately.
The result of this training is a changed
brainwave state and greater ability for the brain to regulate itself
for higher, more flexible functioning.
Q: What is NC
Neurofeedback?
A: NC is
another specific type of Neurofeedback.
The NC (NeuroCARE) (or ZIN) system
provides feedback to the brain in the form of dynamic audio and
visual displays whose continuity is briefly interrupted in order to
provide the brain feedback on what just occurred. This
provides an "orienting response", disrupting the existing pattern
and allowing the brain to automatically adjust its activity and
begin to function at a higher level.
Q: What is CNS dysregulation?
A: CNS dysregulation is a condition that
may underlie the following:
- Difficulty in concentration
- Mood swings that seem hard to control
- Sleep disturbance
- Low mental and emotional energy
- Memory problems
- Difficulty with organization
- Problems beginning and ending
projects.
- Major Depression
- Anxiety or Panic Attacks
- Tics
- Mental fogginess or lack of clarity
- Inability to stay on
track (maintain desired focus)
If a person experiences three or
more of the above, there is a likelihood that CNS dysregulation is
present, and that one would benefit from LENS Neurofeedback.
Q: How
many training sessions does it take?
A:
As you might expect, this depends on the individual, the
issue being addressed, and often the length of time the issue has
been in place. For one practitioner, in one specific practice,
the average over all clients is about 20 training
sessions. Some trainees may be complete in 6 or
even fewer sessions (more typical of certain mild traumatic brain
injury), while others may require 30 or more sessions.
The brain is mapped initially, and at intervals
throughout the training. The brain map shows a 2D color image
of the brain that reflects the training progress, updates the
training plan and helps to determine when training is
complete.
Issues that are
similar to ones your parents or even your grandparents had, may take
longer. Serious disorders such as Cerebral Palsy, Stroke, and
Paralysis, may require many sessions, but over time, there is
usually a steady gradient of improvement, rather than
decline.
Q:
Are there any dangers?
A:
LENS and Neurofeedback have never been known to cause any new
problems. However, like homeopathy, and other subtle and
energy-based healing methods, they may occasionally cause a
temporary intensification of symptoms that have been experienced in
the past, as part of the process of the condition being
resolved. The best preventative is to let
your practitioner know at each visit how you have fared in the
24 hours following each training session. An optimal level of
stimulus intensity and duration can then be found that operates
within the level of comfort of each individual.
Q: What else can Neurofeedback help?
A: The following is a short
list:
- ADD/ADHD/Conduct issues
- Addictions/Addictive behavior
- Anger and Rage
- Anxiety/Panic Attacks
- Autism
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Depression
- Epilepsy/Seizures
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches (Migraine, Cluster and Tension)
- Head Injury Symptoms (like fogginess and
confusion)
- Insomnia and poor sleep
- Peak Performance (Sports & Corporate)
- PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
- Tics / Involuntary muscle
movement
Q: What
are some of the potential benefits of Neurofeedback
training?
- Optimize cognitive performance and motor
skills
- Enhance attention span and focus
- Diminish hyperactivity
- Normalize sleep
- Decrease anxiety and depression
- Reduce irritability, mood swings
- Encourage friendships and socializing
Q: What happens if Neurofeedback clients are
taking medications?
A: With successful neurofeedback training,
medications targeting brain function may no longer be needed or they
may be needed at lower dosages as the brain takes over the role of
regulating itself. Although neurofeedback typically takes
longer to produce change than medications do, it appears
to yield long-term benefits in all key areas of attention span,
impulse control, academic achievement and social adjustment
without the physiological side effects often
associated with medication. Those on medication should
be closely monitored by their physician, as dosage changes may
be (and typically are) indicated. Although certain specific
medications may slow down the training effects of neurofeedback, it
is not necessary (and typically not desirable) to discontinue
existing medications in order to do neurofeedback.
Q: What
are the research results?
A: 80% of
adults who received neurofeedback as children for ADD showed
continued positive focus results in a three, five and ten year
follow-up study. Decreases in impulsivity, distractibility
and hyperactivity and increase in IQ have been documented in over 50
studies. As neurofeedback dramatically shifts the brain's
arousal level, modifying the usual response to fear, many otherwise
intractable, brain-based emotional problems decrease. See the
comprehensive neurofeedback study bibliography prepared by D. Corydon Hammond, PhD,
Professor, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University
of Utah School of Medicine. It is organized by areas of
interest.
Q: How do I find out more?
A: You have many options:
- Call or email us for a
packet of information related to Neurofeedback, NLP or Photonic
Stimulation.
- Read the book, The Healing Power
of Neurofeedback: The Revolutionary LENS Technique for Restoring
Optimal Brain Function (Paperback)
by Stephen Larsen, Thom Hartmann (Foreword) ,
Ph.D.
- Attend a presentation or an
introductory lecture on personal development.
- For more information specifically
about the LENS system, visit www.ochslabs.com
- Make an appointment for a
complimentary twenty-minute in-person or telephone interview with
one of our staff, to see if our services might be helpful for you.
(See Contact Us)
- Set up a two-hour interview and
initial LENS Brain Map. This meeting includes a more detailed
inquiry into whatever issues you are experiencing, and how our
approaches might address and ameliorate them. You can ask
any questions you wish during this interview, and obtain detailed
information on how neurofeedback works, and an estimate of its
likelihood of working for you.
- Explore LENS neurofeedback, and
neurofeedback in general, on our Links
page.
Also
check the Family Area link from the International Society for
Neuronal Regulation, on the following page: http://www.isnr.org
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