Three Common Reasons for Insomnia

What Are Some of the Most Common Reasons for Insomnia?

Whether it's stress, anxiety, overstimulation or an imbalanced diet, there are many reasons for insomnia. So many, in fact, that 60% of Americans report that they struggle with getting to sleep every single night.

If you're reading this, you are probably struggling to get to sleep yourself. It's a good thing you're researching insomnia, along with potential cures, because sleep deprivation has serious consequences. Those that suffer from poor sleeping habits are four times more likely to develop depression disorders and are also more likely to develop heart disease. Of course, because you're drowsy, you're also at a higher risk for accidents on the road and on the job, and your personal relationships and professional performance may also suffer if you're too sleepy to give 100% of your focus, attention, and effort to what matters in life.

With that in mind, here are three of the most common reasons for insomnia, and what you can do to help overcome them and get the good night's sleep you deserve:

1.       You might be ingesting chemicals that are causing you to have trouble going to sleep. Caffeine, alcohol, and many prescription drugs are part of everyday reality for most people. We love a cup of coffee in the morning, a glass of wine with dinner, and many of us need to take medications to manage chronic conditions. The problem is, all three of these can inhibit sleep. Caffeine is a great pick-me-up in the morning, but it can prevent you from getting to sleep long after its benefits have worn off. Don't drink more than two cups per day, and don't drink it after noon. Alcohol temporarily depresses your nervous system, but makes it harder to sleep in the long-term, and some medications like antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, psychostimulants, and steroids can definitely contribute to insomnia.

2.       You might not be getting enough physical activity. In our modern sedentary lifestyle, where we sit down on our commutes to work, sit down at our desks for eight hours, and come home to sit in front of the television, our bodies aren't getting a chance to get tired in the first place because we aren't getting the physical activity our muscles were designed for. If you aren't regularly exercising at least three times per week, this is very likely one your biggest reasons for insomnia.

3.       You might be stressed, anxious, or depressed. This is a vicious cycle – stress, anxiety, and depression are major reasons for insomnia, but insomnia can cause stress, anxiety, and depression, creating a feedback loop that can drastically affect the quality of your life. If you feel like you are under a lot of stress, or you exhibit the signs and symptoms of anxiety or depression, speak to a doctor or therapist right away. Your mental health is too precious to let a disorder go untreated.

There they are: the most common reasons for insomnia. If none of them apply, or you have addressed your particular issue and still can't get to sleep, see your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible. Insomnia is no joke – and you deserve a good night's sleep every night.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR INSOMNIA

Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

Myofascial Pain Syndrome vs. Fibromyalgia: Similarities and Differences

Myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia are two similar disorders that can drastically reduce the quality of life for those who suffer from it. Oftentimes, those that suffer from one also suffers from the other, and other times patients are diagnosed with one when they actually are afflicted with the other.

What are the similarities and differences between myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia? Here is a quick primer:

The Similarities:

Both fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome are characterized by extreme sensitivity and pain in the absence of trauma or injury. They both cause sleep disturbances, and the chronic level of pain can cause depression and anxiety. They also both occur alongside chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Differences:

Myofascial pain syndrome usually manifests as pain and sensitivity in specific muscles or parts of the body, while fibromyalgia tends to affect a sufferer generally whereas they feel sore and sensitive all over their body. People with myofascial pain syndrome have trigger points, which are hard knots in the muscle that cause pain in both the trigger point and elsewhere along the nerve. This is not the same as a tender point for fibromyalgia – a trigger point can be eliminated with the right therapy, whereas fibromyalgia's tender points are chronic and much more difficult to treat. Where fibromyalgia is a neuroendocrine disorder (meaning it affects the brain's neurotransmitter cells) myofascial pain syndrome is neuromuscular, meaning that it affects the nerves that control voluntary muscles.

The most important distinction between these disorders is the fact that of the two, myofascial pain syndrome is easier to treat because there are specific treatment plans that works for most people. If you suffer from both conditions, seeking out a treatment that can alleviate the symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome can also calm the pain that results from fibromyalgia.

Treating Myofascial Pain Syndrome with Biofeedback

Electromyography biofeedback has become a popular – and effective – therapy for sufferers of myofascial pain syndrome because it is safe, non-invasive, and doesn't involve medications. Biofeedback helps a doctor understand where a patient's trigger points are, and can help a patient learn to regain control of their improperly regulated muscle. Biofeedback for myofascial pain syndrome comes in two varieties: static procedures, which are used to find tension in the muscles, and dynamic procedures, which can help to correct muscles' electrical characteristics and restore imbalances in the body's biomechanical processes.

If you are suffering from myofascial pain syndrome, talk to your doctor about learning to manage it with biofeedback today. It may be just the therapy you need to start living a pain-free life.

Recognizing Early Signs of Autism

Be Proactive: Recognize the Early Signs of Autism

It is a parent's nightmare: that their child may have a health problem that will significantly affect the quality of their life. Though it's hard to imagine, it is important that you know and can recognize the early signs of autism, because the younger your child is when they begin to receive treatment, the more that treatment will benefit them throughout their lives.

If you are a parent of a very young child (or children,) you are in the best position to notice specific early signs of autism so that you can inform their pediatrician as early as possible if you suspect a problem. Here is a short list of the most common early signs of autism:

·         Your child begins to regress rather than continuing to develop. This is one of the most serious early signs of autism – a child develops to a certain point in terms of communication, and then seems to regress. If your child is between one and two years old and seems to lose any of the linguistic or social skills they have already developed, speak to your pediatrician right away.

·         Your child seems extraordinarily late to develop linguistic, behavioral, or motor skills. Of course, all children develop at their own speed, so you don't necessarily need to be concerned if they don't seem to be progressing in some areas as fast as you think they should. However, there are a set of age-appropriate developmental goals all children should reach as they grow, and if your child does not, it's appropriate to bring your concerns up with your child's pediatrician.

·         Your child doesn't seem to interact with you in a recognizable way. All infants are different, but some of the most important early signs of autism are deficits in a child’s ability to interact with their parents. The web site HelpGuide offers this list of delays (that) warrant an immediate evaluation by your child's pediatrician.

• By 6 months: No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions.
• By 9 months: No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions.
• By 12 months: Lack of response to name.
• By 12 months: No babbling or “baby talk.”
• By 12 months: No back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving.
• By 16 months: No spoken words.
• By 24 months: No meaningful two-word phrases that don’t involve imitating or repeating.

 It can't be emphasized enough: you are in the best position to notice the early signs of autism because you spend the most time with your child. If you are concerned your little one may have a problem, talk to your pediatrician right away. The sooner you catch it, the better chance your child will have of responding to treatments, and with a little help, living the rest of their lives to the fullest.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR AUTISM

Approaches to ADHD Treatment for Children

They are words that every parent dreads hearing from a doctor's mouth: Your child has attention deficit hyperactive disorder, a malady that affects the executive function of the brain causing inattentiveness, impulse control problems, behavioral issues, and troubles with normal activities like school, and as they mature, trouble maintaining personal relationships and achieving professional success.

No one in the medical community fully understands ADHD yet, but doctors have found that psycho-stimulants, a powerful class of drugs including Adderall, Ritalin and Dexedrine, have helped many sufferers seeking ADHD treatment. In most meta-analyses of studies conducted on the effectiveness of these medications, seven out of ten people with ADHD experienced a reduction of their symptoms.

However, using stimulants can be dangerous with side effects including racing pulse, hypertension, anxiety, unwanted weight loss, and headaches to name a few. For this reason, many psycho-stimulants are considered an unsafe ADHD treatment for children.

There are other drugs, like Strattera, Intuniv, and Kapvay, that have been approved for use in children but they come with side effects of their own, including potential suicidal idealizations in teenagers and the risk of liver damage that causes jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Because of the risks of using drugs for ADHD treatment, many people want to find a safe, effective alternative that doesn't involve medication. Luckily, there is a safe, non-invasive, non-drug therapy available on the market: Biofeedback.

Essentially, a child suffering from the symptoms of ADHD can be "hooked up" with electrodes to a machine that plays back their brainwaves on a screen. They can then learn, usually through a video game, how to control their physiological reactions to certain spikes or dips in their neurological activity associated with their disorder, thus giving them the ability to control their responses and their symptoms.

In many cases, biofeedback has been proven just as effective in managing ADHD symptoms as 30 mg per day of Ritalin, but with one important distinction: with biofeedback there are no side effects, and it is completely safe. The technology used is over one hundred years old, and it has helped thousands of children in the decades it has been in use with this application.

Biofeedback offers children with ADHD the same chance at living, working, and loving as their peers that were lucky enough not to develop the disorder. That's all any parent wants for their children, and now it's possible without powerful, potentially dangerous drugs.

If your child presents symptoms of this disorder, or has already been diagnosed, consider seeking biofeedback as a way to manage his or her ADHD. Talk to your child's pediatrician today.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR ADHD

Trigger Point Injections (TPI) as an Effective Treatment Method

Trigger point injections (TPIs) are an option for treating muscle pain in some patients. This procedure is used to treat areas of muscles that contain trigger points, which are knots of muscle that form when muscles do not relax. This can be caused from muscle overuse, such as a repetitive motion or a muscle injury, common in myofascial pain syndrome. Sometimes these knots can be felt just below the skin. These trigger points are tender and can irritate the nerves around them resulting in pain that radiates and can be felt in other parts of your body.

 The Trigger Point Injection (TPI) Process

According to WebMD.com, during the trigger point injection (TPI) process, the health care professional inserts a small needle into the individual’s trigger point. This injection contains a local anesthetic or saline. Once injected, the trigger point is inactive and the pain goes away. The injections are given in a doctor’s office and many times several trigger points are injected during one visit. After the injection a bandage is placed over the site, and if this area is painful, it is recommended that ice, heat, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen be used for the soreness. Generally it takes several sessions to achieve a lengthy relief from the pain.

When to Use Trigger Point Injections?

TPIs are used to treat various muscles, but especially those in the arms, legs, lower back, and neck. TPI is oftentimes used to treat the pain associated with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain affecting all areas of an individual’s body, and tension headaches. It is also used to treat myofascial pain syndrome, a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles), when other treatments have failed to provide relief. The effectiveness of TPIs in regards to myofascial pain syndrome is still being studied.

Trigger point injections are used to treat knots of muscle that form when muscles do not relax, commonly known as trigger points. This can be caused from muscle overuse, such as a repetitive motion or a muscle injury, common in myofascial pain syndrome. Injections are normally given in a doctor’s office and more than one site may be injected during a single visit. It may take several sessions to achieve prolonged relief from your pain.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR PAIN/CHRONIC PAIN

Foods That Improve Memory: Key Nutrients for Brain Function

It happens to us all as we get older – memories of our youth get hazier, we start to forget appointments and commitments, and we begin to misplace common (but important) items like our keys, wallets, and coats.

There are some people who suffer from disorders of the executive function of the brain, such as depression and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) that have grappled with subpar memory function as long as they have suffered from their particular malady.

Unfortunately, there aren't any prescription drugs that can help improve memory, but there are key nutrients in certain foods that can help. Here is a list of five that can help improve your memory:

1.       Coconuts-It can be fun buying coconuts and splitting them open at home with a hammer, but the most common way to access the benefits of coconuts is by cooking with its oil. Coconut oil has a great balance of energy-producing nutrients and glucose for the brain. Studies suggest that it may be beneficial in preventing Alzheimer's and dementia.

2.       Nuts-Nuts are one of the best foods that improve memory because they are chock full of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, as well as vitamins B6 and E, all of which can help sharpen your memory. One word of caution: peanuts aren't actually nuts! Rather, they are legumes like beans or peas. To get the best memory boost, stick to almonds and walnuts.

3.       Spinach-Spinach is one of nature’s super foods. It prevents damage to cells and DNA, inhibits the growth of certain kinds of tumors, and can prevent or delay dementia. It's an excellent source of vitamin E and folate, and it helps to keep your brain young, flexible, and spry.

4.       Rosemary-The common herb, Rosemary, that is so delicious with pork and chicken, is a powerful member of the group of foods that improve memory. It has been shown to confer brain benefits just in people who smell it – they don't even have to eat it! It helps the brain get the blood it needs, helps regulate your mood, and detoxifies your system.

5.       Tomatoes- These ripe red fruits are packed with an antioxidant called lycopene that has been shown to fight dementia.

Of course there are other foods that improve memory besides the five listed above, but if you are looking for a quick brain boost, you can't go wrong with this list. For the best results, try combinations of these foods! A bit of whole-grain pasta with tomato sauce sprinkled with rosemary and a spinach salad with walnuts and a coconut oil-based dressing? It's not just a delicious meal, but it's made entirely out of foods that improve memory - try it tonight!

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR MEMORY LOSS

A Safe Alternative to Attention Deficit Disorder Medication

Treating ADHD without Medication

                Anyone who lives with Attention Deficit Disorder – or lives with someone with Attention Deficit Disorder – knows how difficult it is to live with the disorder.  From basic household tasks to finding and keeping employment, Attention Deficit Disorder is at best a frustration to more than 1 in 13 Americans – and at worst, a debilitating mental condition that makes it nearly impossible to live a normal, happy life. 

Despite the many jokes on the Internet and television (and legions of naysayers who do not even believe that the condition exists) Attention Deficit Disorder is a very real and very serious condition that requires dedicated treatment.  In most cases, when a doctor makes a diagnosis, the first step is to prescribe a pill.

Unfortunately, Attention Deficit Disorder medication tends to come from a family of powerful stimulants called amphetamines.  Drugs like Ritalin, Adderall and Dexedrine help people achieve a normal level of focus and patience with repetitive or menial tasks, but they also increase the pulse, energy level and blood pressure – and often exacerbate a patient's already amped-up hyperactivity. 

Researchers have been searching for a long time for an alternative to Attention Deficit Disorder medication, and they have discovered several options, including those that have to do with nutrition and diet, and certain behavioral therapies that can help sufferers to succeed.  But nothing has proven as quick and effective as Attention Deficit Disorder medication as a procedure called neurofeedback, which is a form of biofeedback.  It is a treatment that records electrical activity and helps a therapist teach a patient to control their own brain activity – and it has been proven to be just as effective as 30 milligrams of Ritalin per day.

Neurofeedback also comes without side effects, and has been deemed perfectly safe by the American Association of Pediatricians – meaning it is a safe, non-drug treatment for children who are suffering from the disorder, as well.  It typically consists of a therapy regimen of between ten and twenty sessions, which last between a half an hour and an hour each.  After that, the patient has learned to control their own mental and physiological responses – and can adjust and function happily without having to live their life on Attention Deficit Disorder medication.

If you or a loved one are suffering from this lifelong disorder, but you do not want to treat it with the class of psychostimulants that makes up the bulk of Attention Deficit Disorder medication, it may be time to look into neurofeedback.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR ADD/ADHD

The 411 on Biofeedback Techniques

                

Biofeedback is a technology-driven alternative medicine therapy that is being used to treat a host of maladies – including anxiety, depression, chronic headaches, ADD/ADHD and other behavioral disorders, as well as organic brain afflictions like seizures, autism and cerebral palsy.

All biofeedback techniques work in the same way – a therapist attaches electrical sensors to a patient's body, and collects physiological information about things like brain waves and skin temperature.  The information is then given back to the patient, usually in the form of some kind of video game, to help teach them new behaviors that regulate their body's mental and physical responses.  Not all biofeedback techniques are the same, however.  There are many different types, each invented to help treat different kinds of afflictions.  Here are the four most common:

1.       Electromyography (EMG) biofeedback techniques.  EMG biofeedback collects information from your skeletal muscles to teach you how to respond to muscle tension with relaxation and stress relief techniques.  It is common in physical therapy to assess those recovering from traumatic muscle injuries.  EMG biofeedback techniques have also been found to be helpful in treating hypertension, chronic pain, incontinence, anxiety, headaches and lower back pain.

2.       Thermal biofeedback techniques.  Thermal biofeedback techniques involve collecting readings on the skin's temperature through sensors attached to your fingers or feet.  Many people's skin temperature drops when they are under stress, so a reading showing low skin temperature can help people learn to better manage their physiological responses to stress.  Thermal biofeedback techniques have also been found to be helpful in treating chronic pain, edema, headaches, hypertension, Raynaud's disease and anxiety.

3.       Galvanic skin response biofeedback techniques.  Galvanic skin response measures how active your sweat glands are and how much perspiration you have on your skin.  This is a prime indicator of anxiety.  Galvanic skin response biofeedback techniques have also been found to be helpful in treating excessive perspiration and stress.

4.       Electroencephalography (EEG) neurofeedback.  Using EEG biofeedback techniques, a therapist records a patient's brain activity and uses the results to help the patient learn to control their brainwaves.  EEG neurofeedback is effective for treating a whole host of frontal lobe-centered afflictions, such as anxiety, stress, and attention deficit disorder.  It is also effective for treating disorders with major behavioral components, such as suicidal behavior and drug addiction, and even treats organic brain afflictions like seizures, autism and cerebral palsy.

5.       There are many more biofeedback techniques, but these are the most common.  While there are no permanent cures, biofeedback provides safe and effective long-term treatment for all of the maladies described above.

NEUROFEEDBACK HOW IT WORKS

How to Treat Panic Attacks in Children

Seeing panic attacks in children is heartbreaking for anyone, but it's especially awful when you realize your own child is dealing with a panic disorder. No one that young should have so much to fear and so much to worry about.

Unfortunately, panic attacks in children exist, and they can be debilitating for young people. However, the good news is that for most children, panic attacks are isolated, meaning that they don't reoccur and aren't necessarily indicative of a chronic condition.

There is a small portion of the population of children in America that do suffer from a full-blown anxiety disorder. Regular panic attacks in children can grow out of a variety of causes: Post-traumatic stress, confronting a specific phobia (such as heights or spiders) or more mysterious origins that lay in a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Though a chronic condition is less common in young children, panic disorder afflicts around five percent of teenagers.

There is a wonderful, comprehensive article over at the web page of the Massachusetts General Hospital about panic disorder in children, and what to look for in terms of symptoms and recurring patterns. This is important information for parents to have, as panic attacks in children don't always look the same as panic attacks in adults.

Massachusetts General Hospital makes the following recommendations concerning treatment for young people affected by panic disorder:

·         Do everything you can to help them avoid panic attack

s at home. This includes being calm and comforting when they are experiencing an attack, listening to their concerns and helping them to remember that they survived previous panic attacks and will survive this one. If you notice that a child has recurring triggers, anticipate attacks by giving them extra love and support when those triggers are present. Lastly, teach them relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and counting, and give them lots of praise and affirmation when they make it through their panic attacks.

·         Do everything you can to help them avoid panic attacks at school. Many people working in education are sympathetic to panic attacks in children but don't understand them well. Make sure that your child's teachers, nurses and school staff understand your child's needs so the school can give them the support they need to achieve academic success.

·         Seek medical help. Psychological help, such as through counseling (whether school-based or psychotherapeutic) is often enough to carry a child through to a point where they can learn to manage their attacks. In some cases, doctors may feel it's necessary to prescribe medications to help reduce a child's symptoms. There are also alternative therapies available, including herbal treatments and technology-driven treatments like neurofeedback, which helps children learn to control their body's reaction to the sudden onset of feelings like anxiety and fear.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR ANXIETY

Diagnosing Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a debilitating disorder, also known as social phobia that is characterized by excessive and unreasonable fears of social situations. Individuals suffering from this disorder experience intense nervousness and are extremely self-conscious in social settings. They fear that others are watching them closely and will judge and criticize. As a result, they are afraid of making mistakes and fear being embarrassed or humiliated in front of others. Individuals with social anxiety disorder usually lack social skills and don’t have much experience in social settings, and tend to avoid these types of situations.

Symptoms

People suffering from social anxiety disorder sometimes feel as if something is “wrong” with them, but often don’t realize that they are plagued by an actual illness. According to WebMD.com, symptoms of this disorder include:

·         Intense anxiety in social situations

·         Avoidance of social situations

·         Physical symptoms of anxiety, including confusion, pounding heart, sweating, shaking, blushing, muscle tension, upset stomach, and diarrhea

For children suffering with this disorder, their symptoms may include crying, clinging to a parent, or throwing a tantrum.

Social Anxiety Disorder is Quite Common

An estimated 19.2 million American are thought to have Social Anxiety Disorder, making it the third most common mental disorder in the U.S. after depression and alcohol dependence. While being more common in women than men, it can appear at any time, from childhood into adulthood. Although it is not known exactly what causes this disorder, research suggests the possibility that there are biological, psychological, and environmental factors that are responsible:

·         Biological: Social anxiety disorder may be related to abnormal functioning of brain circuits that regulate emotion and the "fight or flight" response center in the brain.  Genetic factors may also contribute, because social anxiety may be somewhat more likely to occur when it is also present in a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child).

·         Psychological: The development of social anxiety disorder may stem from embarrassing or humiliating social experiences in the past, such as being bullied or neglected by peers.

·         Environmental: People with social anxiety disorder may develop their fear from observing the behavior of others or seeing what happened to someone else as the result of their behavior (such as being laughed at or made fun of). Further, children who are sheltered or overprotected by their parents may not learn good social skills as part of their normal development.

How is Social Anxiety Disorder Diagnosed?

If it is determined that there are symptoms of social anxiety disorder present, the physician will generally conduct an evaluation by asking questions about your medical history and, although there are no tests to verify the presence of social anxiety disorder, a physical exam is usually conducted to rule out other possible illnesses. If there is no sign of a physical illness, you will probably be referred to a mental health professional that is trained in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses.

Social anxiety disorder is a debilitating disorder, also known as social phobia that is characterized by excessive and unreasonable fears of social situations. It is very prevalent in the U.S. and while there is not a specific test to determine if a person has this disorder, generally an evaluation and a physical exam will rule out other illnesses. A referral is then usually given to a mental health professional that is trained in diagnosing and treating social anxiety disorder

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR ANXIETY

Living with Autism

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. According to AutismSpeaks.org, these disorders are characterized by varying difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors. Most signs of autism begin to appear by age two or three. An early diagnosis is beneficial so treatment can begin that much earlier.

What is the Cause of Autism?

It hasn’t been too long ago that we did not know the answer to this question, but now thanks to extensive research, we know that there is not just one cause of autism. Over the last five years, there have been a number of rare gene changes, or mutations, associated with autism. Some of these are enough to cause autism on their own; however, many times it is a combination of autism risk genes and environmental factors. Many of the environmental risk factors involve events before and during birth. These can include advanced parental age at conception, maternal illness during pregnancy, or certain difficulties during birth.

What Does an Autism Diagnosis Mean?

It is important to note that each individual diagnosed with autism is different and very unique. Many of them have exceptional abilities with things such as music or academics. Approximately 40% have average to above average intellectual abilities, while others are significantly disabled with their diagnosis and are unable to live independently. About 25% are unable to communicate verbally, but can learn to communicate through other means.

What Type of Treatment is available for Autism?

It is important to remember that just as each individual with Autism is unique, so should each treatment be tailored to his or her individual needs. Treatment can include behavioral treatments, medicines, or a combination of the two. Many of those diagnosed with autism also have other medical conditions such as sleep disturbance, seizures, and gastrointestinal distress. When these conditions are addressed, many times it can improve attention, learning, and related behaviors.

Early intensive behavioral therapy involves a child’s entire family working with a team of professionals. In some intervention programs, therapists come into the home to work with the child or even go on outings with the family to help demonstrate appropriate reactions to certain autistic behaviors.

As children grow and develop social and learning skills, treatment should be adjusted to target specific needs, such as social skills training or specialized approaches to teaching. Transition services are beneficial to adolescents with autism to help promote a successful maturation into independence and employment opportunities that will be faced in adulthood.

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development, and these disorders are characterized by varying difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors. Although there are those diagnosed with autism that are unable to live independently, there are many, who with the proper treatment, can go on to live independent, productive lives. 

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR AUTISM

Myofascial Pain Syndrome vs. Fibromyalgia: Similarities and Differences

Myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia are two similar disorders that can drastically reduce the quality of life for those who suffer from it. Oftentimes, those that suffer from one also suffer from the other, and other times, patients are diagnosed with one when they actually are afflicted with the other.

So what are the similarities and differences between myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia? Here is a quick primer:

The Similarities:

Both fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome are characterized by extreme sensitivity and pain in the absence of trauma or injury. They both cause sleep disturbances, and the chronic level of pain can cause depression and anxiety. They also both occur alongside chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Differences:

Myofascial pain syndrome usually manifests as pain and sensitivity in specific muscles or parts of the body, while fibromyalgia tends to affect a sufferer generally – they feel sore and sensitive all over their body. People with myofascial pain syndrome have trigger points, which are hard knots in the muscle that cause pain in both the trigger point and elsewhere along the nerve. This is not the same as a tender point for fibromyalgia – a trigger point can be eliminated with the right therapy, whereas fibromyalgia's tender points are chronic and much more difficult to treat. Where fibromyalgia is a neuroendocrine disorder (meaning it affects the brain's neurotransmitter cells) myofascial pain syndrome is neuromuscular, meaning that it affects the nerves that control voluntary muscles.

The most important distinction between these disorders is the fact that of the two, myofascial pain syndrome is easier to treat, because there are specific treatment plans that work for most people. If you suffer from both conditions, seeking out a treatment that can alleviate the symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome can also calm the pain that results from fibromyalgia.

Treating Myofascial Pain Syndrome with Biofeedback

Electromyography biofeedback has become a popular – and effective – therapy for sufferers of myofascial pain syndrome because it is safe, non-invasive and doesn't involve medications. Biofeedback helps a doctor understand where a patient's trigger points are, and can help a patient learn to regain control of their improperly regulated muscle. Biofeedback for myofascial pain syndrome comes in two varieties: Static procedures, which are used to find tension in the muscles, and dynamic procedures, which can help to correct muscles' electrical characteristics and restore imbalances in the body's biomechanical processes.

If you are suffering from myofascial pain syndrome, talk to your doctor about biofeedback treatment today. It may be just the therapy you need to start living a pain-free life.

Neurofeedback for ADHD - With Dr. Guy Annunziata

How can you use neurofeedback for ADHD? In this video, Stefan Georgi of Market Taffy interviews Dr. Guy Annunziata, the founder of BrainCore Therapy. Dr. Guy provides an excellent overview of what neurofeedback is, covers neurofeedback research, and explains specifically how it is used for ADHD. You can find out more about neurofeedback and BrainCore by visiting:http://www.braincoretherapy.com

What is ADD Like if Left Untreated?

Untreated ADD

What is ADD like if left untreated? If you are thinking about foregoing ADD treatment for your child in the hopes they will simply “grow out of it,” let’s examine that scenario.

Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD, affects over 8% of all children across the United States, making it a shockingly commonplace disorder. We’re talking about multiple children in almost every classroom being afflicted. So what is ADD going to put these children through if they don’t have a proper way to manage it? It’s going to place these children at a serious, and sometimes insurmountable, disadvantage. When left alone, the disorder is characterized by: the inability to focus, marked difficulties following directions, difficulty communicating and interacting with others, and serious impairments in school and the learning process that is so crucial in youth.

Let’s Talk Management Options 

Now that we know symptoms, what are ADD management methods like? Historically, physicians or psychiatrists treating ADD have leaned heavily on medication. In effective scenarios, these meds are usually coupled with psychotherapy or behavior skills training. Even then, there are no guarantees of success, and your child is being exposed to harmful side effects, and you are continuing to have the expense of doctor’s visits. There are also holistic options out there that have experienced varied degrees of success such as herbal remedies, dietary alterations, mental exercises, exercise techniques, and even sleep modification. While all of these techniques are part of a wholesome lifestyle conducive to long-term mental health, asking for immediate results with these might be expecting a little too much. Fortunately, here in 2014, there are other, newer options available such as neurofeedback ADD therapy. 

Neurofeedback? 

So what is ADD neurofeedback therapy and are there any risks? Thankfully, unlike with medications – stimulants or otherwise – there are no risks. Neurofeedback therapy is a groundbreaking method that is actually all noninvasive and pain free. Simply put, neurofeedback allows patients to manage neurological disorders themselves. As unbelievable as that sounds, it’s completely true, and backed up by extensive scientific research. Using EEG sensors, the readings from your own brain, and guided mental exercises, neurofeedback teaches your brain to self-correct brainwave patterns which are at the root of neurological problems such as ADD. Additionally, the skill of self-regulation is not fleeting and does not require constant maintenance, such as therapy. Your brain will learn to autocorrect on its own after a remarkably quick amount of time – a true testament to the amazing human brain and its ability to overcome ailments.

What is ADD neurofeedback therapy and where can I enroll my child in a program? To learn more or to take the crucial first steps in beginning BrainCore’s life-changing neurofeedback therapy, contact us today.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR ADHD/ ADD

What is Attention Deficit Disorder?

What is Attention Deficit Disorder? Although this neurological disorder is practically a household name, many of us are not familiar with how the disease actually works or the intricacies of living with this condition. Attention Deficit Disorder, more commonly referred to as ADD, affects over five million children in the United States alone, or over 8% of the child population. The disorder, which can often be outgrown, is characterized by the inability to focus, disorganization, difficulty communicating, and a very short attention span. ADD is actually an offshoot of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, but where the child demonstrates less impulsivity and more inattentiveness or disorganization.

Recognizing Symptoms Early

What is ADD like symptomatically? This is a very good question, because the earlier parents, teachers, or loved ones can identify symptoms of ADD, the better chance a child will have of being successfully treated and therefore faring better in school and society. Here are some common symptoms of ADD that could warrant a visit to a doctor or specialist:

•          Becomes quickly and unreasonably bored, often failing to complete simple undertakings
•          Constantly demonstrating a lack of care or attention to detail in performing tasks
•          Habitual disorganization
•          Difficulty listening or following instructions
•          Often loses or misplaces things
•          Inability to focus
•         Easily distracted

Formulating a Management Plan

What are ADD management methods like? This is a tricky question, because it varies greatly from patient to patient. Historically, doctors have prescribed medication for children as young as three years of age. These medications are often stimulants, although there are some non-stimulant options. Although these medications do have an established success rate, they also have an established track record of side effects, some of which can be very harmful – especially in young children. Doctors will typically recommend concurrent psychotherapy or behavioral skills training for children with ADD, and this greatly enhances the child’s chances at improvement. Aside from these two options, there are also more holistic management methods out there (i.e. dietary and exercise changes), as well as some newer-age methods. One such method, called neurofeedback, allows doctors to actually locate the brainwave patterns potentially causing ADD and then retrain these brainwave patterns with the goal of long-term alleviation of the disorder. Neurofeedback is optimal for children because it is drug-free, painless, and noninvasive. It has also achieved noted results that have been published recently in some prominent long-term research studies, so it is certainly worth looking into.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER/ ADD

Are There Neurofeedback Side Effects?

Let’s Talk Side Effects

If the concern about neurofeedback side effects has dissuaded you from contemplating this groundbreaking method of managing disorders such as ADD, consider otherwise. Beyond the fact that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared neurofeedback safe and no known side effects have ever been formally established; let’s examine your alternatives. Historically, in managing a neurological disorder, there have been few established options:

 • Medication
 • Psychotherapy or cognitive training
• Surgical procedures

There are potential side effects to these three options; however, neurofeedback has no side effects. In regards to medication, besides the potential for forming a reliance or habit, pharmaceutical side effects can range anywhere from minor inconveniences (i.e. dry mouth, irritability) to major issues (i.e. seizures, internal bleeding, death). While the major side effects are extremely rare, the minor ones are rather commonplace and should be viewed as a trade-off patients agree to in return for subduing other symptoms. While therapy and cognitive training come with no physical side effects, there is no guarantee of success, and the process can try your patience and your emotional fortitude. Lastly, when it comes to surgery, it is invasive, requires significant recovery time in most cases, and always comes with a certain degree of risk.

Alleviating Fears About Neurofeedback

Hearing what we just discussed may sound quite frightening, but fortunately you have other options. In addition to there being no established neurofeedback side effects, the process itself is painless, noninvasive, and aimed to provide you with a future free from other forms of managing ADD. Neurofeedback therapy is all conducted with nothing more than EEG sensors and high-tech reading devices. You are never poked, prodded, or pumped full of anything. In addition, the process is designed to teach your brain to self-regulate, meaning after a certain point, you should optimally require no more sessions at all. That’s right; your brain will learn to correct its own problems naturally by redirecting and retraining brainwave patterns that have gone awry. With an FDA-declared safe procedure and no know neurofeedback side effects; the time is now to manage your neurological disorder with BrainCore’s cutting edge therapy.

NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY AND HOW IT WORKS

Changes in How to Treat ADHD

 Conventional Answers to ADHD

Knowing how to treat ADHD is paramount to creating a positive learning environment for children afflicted by this disorder. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is so prominent today that there are a lot of established treatment options available. Both traditionally and historically, doctors have used a two-pronged approach to treating ADHD: medication and therapy. It is important these are used in conjunction with one another, because while medication helps, it is not a long-term solution. Likewise, when it comes to therapy, results take a great deal of commitment and can be relatively far off on the horizon.

There is a flip side of the coin with these customary options in how to treat ADHD. First, medications come with well-known side effects ranging from minor nuisances to severe risks. Patients must consciously accept these side effects, because the common ones really can become part of everyday life. Furthermore, with regard to therapy, all may be for naught without the proper time, commitment, and financial resources.

Subtle Changes Can Make a Big Difference

Fortunately, the best course of action in how to treat ADHD is not limited to medication and therapy. In fact, you can make changes to your everyday life that can tangibly alleviate symptoms of ADHD. Dietary corrections, exercise regulation, sleep stability, and even certain herbs and supplements have been shown to help fight ADHD without subjecting yourself to prescriptions or the rigors of a therapy regimen.

Thinking Outside the Box

In addition to the aforementioned natural remedies that help with managing ADHD, there are some intriguing alternatives now on the market. One new and innovative treatment that has already proven successful in managing the disorder is neurofeedback therapy. Neurofeedback is a completely painless and noninvasive therapy that trains your brain to self-regulate the dysfunctional brainwave patterns at the root of ADHD. Not only are drugs out of the picture with neurofeedback, you won’t encounter the same commitment issues that accompany psychotherapy because the goal of neurofeedback is to set patients up for a future without neurological disorders by teaching their brains to self-correct automatically for the long-term.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR ADHD/ADD

What is an Electroencephalogram (EEG)?

An Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a way that doctors, scientists, and researchers can record brain activity while someone performs a task. They do this by fitting a network of electrodes on someone's scalp, which then measures electrical activity in the brain. The electrodes are painless and harmless; in fact, patients outfitted with them don't even feel a sensation other than the electrodes resting on their scalp. EEG is completely non-invasive, meaning there are no injections, and it doesn't use X-rays or radiation. It is considered safe by the scientific and medical communities, except in very rare cases where a patient with a pre-existing seizure disorder may respond to the flashing lights or breathing patterns involved in recording brain activity. A patient would be tested for any potential problems before undergoing EEG.

Traditionally, EEG has been used to diagnose epilepsy, but it has also proved a useful tool in collecting information about sleep disorders and other brain disorders, which are known as encephalopathies – hence the name of the device. The technology is actually more than 100 years old, but over time technicians and scientists have improved the effectiveness and increased the applications with more disorders.

More recently, EEG has shown great promise in the science of neurofeedback, in which people suffering from various brain disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), drug or alcohol addiction, autism, depression, or migraine headaches are able to learn to manage their disorders naturally. They do this at a special clinic, under the supervision of a doctor or technician, by being placed on an EEG and performing activities (usually a game) while monitoring their own brainwaves. This device then collects neurological and physiological information about the patient and displays it in an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand format that the patient can monitor.

In this way, many patients are able to "retrain" their brain by recognizing the way their thoughts affect their brainwave activity, and learning to think, breathe or act in new ways to restore their neurological activity to a healthy, normal configuration, rather than taking potentially harmful stimulants, personality-altering antidepressants or other powerful psychotropic drugs.

Because EEG is safe and free of side effects, it is rapidly gaining popularity with adults and also with children as a way to treat neurological disorders, such as ADHD, without using stimulants or other chemicals.

Are Stimulants the Best Treatment for ADHD?

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), also known as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), is a widely misunderstood brain disorder that affects 1 in 13 Americans of all ages. Due to the fact that many of the symptoms of ADHD causes individuals to make social and professional mistakes, such as having difficulty keeping appointments, maintaining punctuality, or effectively listening when someone is speaking to them, people with ADHD are often discriminated against. To make matters worse, there is a large contingent of people who believe that ADHD is not a "real" disorder, and that people who suffer from it just need some "self-discipline" or need to "grow up."

Those who have the disease – many of them successful professionals in all walks of life – know that overcoming the symptoms of ADHD is not simply a matter of summoning internal grit and willpower. For those that have a moderate or severe form of the disorder, medical treatment is often necessary. In most cases that treatment comes in the form of a powerful stimulant like Adderall, Focalin, or Dexedrine.

Stimulants work by affecting the way the brain regulates its impulses in deciding what to give attention to; they accomplish this task by increasing the availability of chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. They have proven to be effective over the long-term in helping people manage symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity (the last being somewhat paradoxical, since stimulants provide more energy to the body; however, they help the brain direct that energy into productive ends).

Unfortunately, stimulants come with unpleasant – and occasionally dangerous – side effects. About four out of five people who take stimulants report that they experience a drastic loss in appetite and have difficulty sleeping at night, and a lack of proper nutrition and sleep can make the symptoms of ADHD worse. Others complain of stomachaches, headaches, increased blood pressure, and increased heart rates. Studies have shown that long-term use of stimulants are safe for most people, but there are some concerns about short-term use in people who accidentally take too much of their medication, which can cause serious discomfort and potential heart damage.

Many people who dislike taking stimulants have begun to seek out alternatives in managing ADHD, including a newer drug on the market called Strattera. There are also non-medication therapies rapidly emerging on the market, such as neurofeedback, which is 100% safe, non-invasive and has been shown in many cases to be just as effective as stimulants.

Neurofeedback Therapy Side Effects

What are the Side Effects of Neurofeedback Therapy?

If you have a condition that you believe could improve through the use of neurofeedback therapy, you are probably doing research before consulting your doctor. How effective is it? How safe is it? What are the side effects?

 According to a study jointly published by the U.S. National Institute of Health, the National Library of Medicine, and the National Center for Biotechnology Information, there are no side effects associated with neurofeedback therapy. You can read the results for yourself here. Though the study was focused on treatment for just one disorder – attention deficit disorder (ADD) – the results clearly state that there are no neurofeedback therapy side effects.

 In fact, the primary technology used in neurofeedback therapy has been used safely for over a century. It's called electroencephalography (EEG) and essentially consists of affixing electrodes to an individual’s scalp in order to read electrical information in their brain. The only "side effects" of EEG are really "after effects," and they consist of a little bit of redness – never any pain – from where the electrodes attach to the skin. The redness wears off after a very short time, after which no one would ever know the electrodes were there.

 Compare this to the side effects of stimulants, which increase the heart rate, exacerbate anxiety and causes drastic appetite loss. Or the side effects of some antidepressants, which cause sexual problems, loss of enthusiasm and motivation, and in some cases, worsen the very conditions they are trying to improve. There are many side effects that accompany the powerful psychotropic drugs used to treat the same disorders as neurofeedback. When you compare those side effects to twelve weeks of behavioral therapy with harmless, painless electrodes attached to your scalp, it becomes pretty clear as to which is the more desirable.

 In neurofeedback, the EEG is used to monitor brain waves that are disrupted by disorders like anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), and other maladies of the brain's executive function. This information is then transmitted to a screen, where the patient can see visual representations of their neurological activity and through this therapy can then learn to perform actions that restore brain waves to healthy, functional patterns. It is a form of training, rather than a medication or an invasive procedure, and for some people it is just as effective as a pharmacological treatment. 

Neurofeedback is so safe that it has been overwhelmingly approved for use in children. So there you have it – there are no neurofeedback therapy side effects. If you think neurofeedback would be an effective treatment for your condition, talk to your doctor today – you have nothing to worry about!

MORE ABOUT NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY

Biofeedback Definition

Because biofeedback is at the forefront of advances in the medical industry, it can be difficult to find a good, working definition that isn’t too confusing.

Here is an excellent definition: biofeedback is a safe, non-invasive therapy that teaches patients to control their own physiological and neurological activity without the use of medication.

Biofeedback is usually based on measurements of:
 • Blood pressure
 • Brain waves (EEG)
 • Breathing
 • Heart rate
 • Muscle tension
 • Skin conductivity of electricity
 • Skin temperature

 Electrical sensors are attached to your body, which then collects information about a variety of processes. You will see visuals of these various bodily processes, such as brainwave activity in the case of neurofeedback, skin temperature, or tension, as well as a variety of others. Individuals are then taught to perform actions that help to regulate these processes into healthy, functional patterns. After about twelve weeks of therapy, most patients have the ability to notice the subtle workings of their body and the disturbances caused by their particular affliction and have learned to manage their symptoms.

 Although biofeedback is a relatively new concept, some of the technology behind it is over a century old. Where before many biofeedback machines were used solely for scientific research or rarefied medical conditions, now the benefits are available for a host of issues. These include chronic pain, edema, hypertension, Raynaud's disease, excessive sweating, and incontinence. There are also disorders of the brain's executive function that have proven responsive to biofeedback, including attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), depression, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorders.

Best of all, unlike the many medication therapies available for the disorders mentioned above, biofeedback has no side effects, and the learned behaviors provide lasting or, in some cases, lifelong relief from symptoms. Biofeedback has no invasive procedures, and it is an excellent treatment for children, who generally enjoy the activities prescribed to them during their biofeedback sessions.

There are many biofeedback options available, ranging from large machines in a medical center to apps you can download for your smartphone. If you have a condition that you believe could be improved through the use of biofeedback, be sure to talk to your doctor.