Showing posts with label BIOFEEDBACK. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BIOFEEDBACK. Show all posts

Friday, May 16, 2014

The Ways That Therapists Help Patients

How Therapists Can Help

 Therapists
Therapists use a variety of approaches to help people who are struggling with hard times, or with chronic mental illness, to overcome difficulty and to create a sustainable, lasting plan for positive change. In the case of mental illness, they usually work in concert with a pharmaceutical treatment (medication designed for the particular disorder) or a natural therapy like biofeedback.
Here is a quick rundown of the most common approaches therapists take when attempting to help patients, and a little information about each of them:

1.       Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This therapy has proven to be very effective for people who are suffering from depression. It consists of two major components: cognitive restructuring and behavioral activation. Cognitive restructuring helps a patient to change negative patterns of thinking that their disorder sometimes "traps" them into, helping them to force a more positive perspective and prevent themselves from spiraling into depression. Behavioral activation is centered on using activities that an individual enjoys in order to help them learn how to overcome emotional and mental difficulties in their life.

2.       Functional Analytic Psychotherapy. This is often used on its own or in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy. It has shown to be particularly effective for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therapists start with what they perceive as clinically relevant behavior, such as the problem the patient presents while in session with them, and through a variety of methods, works to form a strong therapeutic alliance with the patient. The patient usually learns verbal processes to help them develop a new or more stable concept of themselves, and through behavioral analysis, learn why they feel compelled to behave in certain negative or destructive manners, and how they can curb or curtail those behaviors in the future.

3.       Jungian Psychotherapy. Also known as analytical psychology, this is a school that one of Freud's students, Carl Jung, developed in the 20th century. It focuses on helping a patient live a meaningful life through personality development, self-awareness, transformation, and self-actualization. By helping patients change their views, understand their environments and their relationships to it, as well as their perspective or attitude, the patients gain the ability to take satisfaction from contributing to society. Jungian psychotherapy is heavily associated with mythology and symbolism, and the popular Myers-Briggs personality type test is based on Jungian principles.


4.       Process Psychology. This is described as a transpersonal psychology that often emphasizes mystical and spiritual concerns in patients who are seeking help. Process psychology is heavily influenced by Jungian psychology and the principles of systems thinking, a theory that states thought is a product of a system, so all parts of the system must be in good working order to produce positive mental health. 

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

The Science Behind the Stress Eraser

Measuring, Monitoring and Controlling Stress with the Stress Eraser

Stress Eraser
                Stress is a good thing.  It helps us to perform when important things are on the line, and it helps to motivate us to do our best.  We do not commend our fellow human beings for "grace under fire" for nothing. 

                Unfortunately, due to the ever-increasing demands that modern life places on our time and our lives, we are under more stress than ever.  Some folks are so stressed so often that it has become a way of life for them – and they are paying the price with their health.  There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch – and this is especially true of the great toll that stress exacts on our physical and mental well-being.

Overdosing on stress hormones is a major problem for a lot of people – and increasingly, doctors and therapists have been trying to find effective treatments to help people deal with the effects.  Sadly, they are just going after the symptoms, not the cause.  Sedatives sleep aids and anti-anxiety drugs do not remove the real source of stress in people's lives.

Of course, there is no treatment that can balance a job, a relationship, kids, errands and everything else that orbits our hectic lives.  But psychiatrists have recently learned what yogis and mystics have known for a long time – it is not the stressors in our life that damage us, or even the stress that is placed upon us.  It is our reaction to the stress.

Enter the Stress Eraser.  This simple biofeedback machine, which has been regulated and approved by the Food and Drug Administration, measures your mental and physiological reactions to stress and teaches you how to activate your body's natural defenses within minutes.  No medication, no uncomfortable questions about your parents from your therapists – just handheld medical technology that does its magic through finger sensors and a screen that simulates your stress levels in waves. 
The Stress Eraser measures and monitors stress levels using a technique that interprets your heart rate variability – that is, the beat-to-beat variation in your pulse.  This gives the Stress Eraser information about your nerve activity, which it then interprets for you, along with helpful information on what you can physically do to control your stress levels. 

Biofeedback devices like the Stress Eraser are not just a godsend for the stressed out.  The technology behind it has proven effective for afflictions like anxiety, depression, insomnia, headaches, hypertension, drug abuse and attention deficit disorder. 

To learn more, visit the Stress Eraser website here.
NEUROFEEDBACK FOR STRESS

Friday, April 4, 2014

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

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

How does Neurofeedback Work?

Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback is a method that directly trains brain function. The brain’s activity is measured using precision sensors, generally the electroencephalogram (EEG), and the information recorded by the device is shown to the person undergoing neurofeedback. It is a gradual learning process, during which people become trained to control the processes of their own brain. Neurofeedback primarily addresses dysregulated brainwaves which encompass a number of neurological disorders such as: anxiety, depression, ADD, ADHD, insomnia, migraines, and chronic pain – just to name a few.  

So how does neurofeedback work? In a way, neurofeedback involves the concept of “mind over matter,” with the matter being the physical brain and its processes. This kind of self-regulation can be applied to help the nervous system function better.


How is Neurofeedback Carried Out?


During neurofeedback sessions, an electroencephalogram (EEG) is used. Electrodes are attached to the scalp, and function as sensors that detect electrical activity in the brain. The oscillations of this activity are shown to the patient, and providers explain what the frequencies mean and which ones are desirable or undesirable.

Neurofeedback training is often undertaken using a “video game” that responds to certain brainwave frequencies, specific to the individual and their particular condition. These “games” involve activities like moving a ball or a mouse up and down, which helps guide the individual’s brain toward optimal performance. As these capabilities are learned, they are reinforced through repetition.


Who Performs Neurofeedback?


Neurofeedback Therapy is generally provided by psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, and other mental health professionals. It is also sometimes done by clinical social workers, nurses, and educators.

How Well Does Neurofeedback Work?


The human brain is designed for learning and skill acquisition, and neurofeedback has proven highly effective in teaching people to learn to improve their brain function. Many patients find that the results exceed their expectations, and are amazed at just how effective it actually is.

Neurofeedback is proven to be most effective for disorders that are rooted in brain regulation including:

·         Anxiety
·         Depression
·         ADD/ADHD
·         Addiction
·         Memory loss



 Neurofeedback has also been found to be effective in treating some sleep disorders such as: bed wetting, night terrors, and sleepwalking. Additionally, neurofeedback researchers investigating its use in other, more serious and intractable disorders, including seizures and Autism Spectrum disorders.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

What Is an EEG Test?

EEG Test

An EEG test, or “electroencephalogram”, is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain. An EEG test produces a readout that graphs the oscillating frequencies of these electrical activities. By looking at these oscillations, physicians can identify abnormalities in order to assess and diagnose a variety of neurological issues. 

What is an EEG Test Used For? 

An EEG test can be a crucial diagnostic tool for many neurological disorders.

·         EEG tests can be used to distinguish between different types of seizures. For example, if a patient appears to have absence seizures, there are certain distinct brainwave patterns in an EEG that a neurologist can look for to determine whether they are “typical” or “atypical” absence seizures.
·         EEG tests are helpful in diagnosing sleep disorders. Different types and stages of sleep produce distinct patterns on EEGs.
·         During surgery, EEG patterns can be used to identify the depth of anesthesia.
·         In patients who are comatose or in a vegetative state, EEG patterns can assess the level of consciousness. This is also important in the context of declaring brain death, which determines whether or not a patient will be kept alive artificially. 

How is an EEG Test Performed? 

An EEG test is carried out in a hospital, laboratory, or doctor’s office. It is a painless, noninvasive procedure.

The patient reclines or lies on their back. Electrodes are attached to the scalp using a special conductive adhesive gel. The electrodes are connected by wires to a machine that records the electrical activity, which is charted as waves on a computer-like screen. Sometimes the electrodes are attached to one another via a cap or net.  

How Do I Prepare for My EEG Test? 

-          Wash your hair the night before your EEG test is scheduled. Refrain from using conditioner, oils, or leave-in products.
-          If you have hair extensions, ask the nurse about specific instructions.
-          Your physician may ask you to stop using one or more of your medications prior to the test.
-          Avoid caffeine for at least 8 hours prior to the test.
-          If you are going to need to sleep during the EEG test, you may be asked to reduce your amount of sleep the night before.


An EEG test is a safe, painless, noninvasive procedure that uses electrodes placed on the scalp to measure electrical activity in the brain. This information can be used to assess and diagnose various neurological and sleep disorders. 

BIOFEEDBACK EEG THERAPY

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

What is Biofeedback for Migraines?

What Triggers Migraine Headaches?

Biofeedback for Migraines

What is biofeedback for migraines? It is a modern medical technique designed to alleviate migraines without drugs, surgery, or any sort of poking or prodding. Before we delve further into the treatment, let’s talk more about migraines and what causes them. The severe and painful headaches we refer to as migraines occur in over 10% of the American population, including children. With the condition as prevalent as it is, it is truly remarkable that more has not been accomplished to make migraines preventable. Currently, the best we can do is try and either curb migraines at the root of the problem, or do our best to manage the pain after the onset of these horrible headaches. Here are some common and lesser-known triggers of migraines:

Common Causes
·         Food/Diet
·         Allergies
·         Stress
·         Muscle Tension
·         Sleep Deprivation
·         Light or Smell Sensitivity
·         Alcohol
·         Caffeine
·         Menstruation (in women)

Other Causes
·         Oversleeping
·         Magnesium Deficiency
·         Gluten
·         Hypoglycemia
·         Substance Withdrawal (even caffeine!)
·         Weather
·         Stress Release (also known as “letdown headaches”): proof that life isn’t fair

How Biofeedback Can Help


Now that we know some of the causes of headaches – and how bizarre some of them are – we can move on to a solution-oriented question: What is biofeedback treatment for migraines? First off, biofeedback is an overarching term. Biofeedback refers to the practice of monitoring and retraining your body’s vital functions, enabling them to self-correct and alleviate various problems. When it comes to migraines, doctors are going to look to the brain when attempting to treat the problem. Biofeedback for the brain is called neurofeedback.

So what is biofeedback for the brain, or neurofeedback, going to do for migraine headaches? It’s actually so simple it might amaze you. Every day, your amazing brain initiates and executes countless signals throughout your body. These signals, taking the form of brainwaves, can become slightly distorted over time and repetition. When this happens, problems such as migraines often ensue. The goal of neurofeedback is to get these brainwaves back on track, and this in turn will cut out the migraines. Believe it or not, the therapy sessions are completely painless and noninvasive – but that’s not even the best part. No matter what is triggering your headaches, whether it’s a chronic or hereditary problem, whether its food or stress-based, neurofeedback imparts the tools in your body to fight migraines by itself for the rest of your life. Think that’s too good to be true? Well, so did a lot of doctors and scientists before major research performed over the last decade or so backed it up.


Thursday, February 13, 2014

Five Alternative and Natural Remedies for ADD

Beyond Prescriptions and Therapy



Alternative and natural remedies for ADD have never been more important. Pharmaceuticals have gotten more and more complicated over the years, and now we hardly even know what is going into our bodies or those of our children. Taking a doctor’s word for it is usually fine, but in this case, even they probably don’t know the intricacies of each pill and what the long-term effects could be. Here are five alternative and natural remedies for ADD that, when administered properly, should subdue symptoms in just the same manner but without the inherent risks:

·         Massage: This may sound hokey or altogether unrealistic, but massage is one of the most effective natural remedies for ADD. The long and short of it is this: children and adults with ADD or ADHD tend to be extremely over-stimulated, and this is reflected throughout their bodies, especially in their nervous system and muscles. Massage has an obvious soothing effect on these systems, as well as helping divert pent up energy elsewhere within the body. This has been shown to directly correlate to more productive behavior. Nighttime massage immediately prior to bed has proven particularly effective, especially in children.

·         Vitamins/Supplements: Fish oil, zinc, melatonin, magnesium, B and C vitamins, and probiotics have all shown measured success as natural remedies for ADD. When it comes to finding the right vitamins for you and suppressing ADD symptoms, find what works best for you by trying a few. Do not despair, however, as all of these can be healthy parts of your diet even outside of treating the disorder.

·         Yoga/Meditation/Relaxation Exercises: Finding your center, learning how to calm yourself, and taking active control of your body are incredibly useful tools in combating inattentiveness and other symptoms of ADD – each of these exercises focuses on instilling these concepts.

·         Diet and Exercise Modifications: This is not so much among the natural remedies for ADD, but is more of an alternative approach. Keeping diet simple, free of complex additives, caffeine, and unnecessary sugar is of absolute utmost importance. We do not truly know how some of these ingredients affect mood, behavior, and long-term health, so the best approach is to steer clear. In terms of exercise, as noted above, people with ADD often have very over-charged systems. Expend that energy, and do it in a healthy way through daily exercise.

·         Neurofeedback: This is a really exciting alternative approach to ADD treatment. The greatest part about neurofeedback is that it is designed to set up patients for long-term symptom suppression – a life without the frustration of ADD. Doctors first will identify what brainwave patterns have gone awry, causing the loss of focus and concentration characterized by ADD. After this, they will develop a treatment plan unique for each patient. All done noninvasively and without poking or prodding, neurofeedback is the ultimately serves to your brain to self-regulate through guided brain exercises.


To find out more about alternative and natural remedies for ADD such as BrainCore’s awe-inspiring neurofeedback therapy; read on and click here today.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Is EEG Biofeedback the Same as Neurofeedback?

Defining EEG Biofeedback 


As new and innovative medical treatments have gained notoriety over the last few years, many people have been confused about the distinction between EEG biofeedback and neurofeedback. Today we will put that misunderstanding to rest and then explain the treatment and how it works in depth. First off, there is no difference: EEG biofeedback and neurofeedback are different terms for an identical therapy. This is a pain-free and noninvasive procedure that delivers long-term results without the risk of any side effects – and no, it’s not too good to be true.

The concept behind EEG biofeedback is this: the human body is an amazing machine of functionality, and it wants to perform flawlessly. Having said this, things happen that can throw off our various body systems, and the brain is no exception. Where a normal brainwave pattern accomplishes its goals efficiently and without issue, when our brainwave patterns get off kilter, problems such as neurological disorders ensue. EEG biofeedback works to normalize these patterns, and to teach your body how to keep them normal for good. 

What Can Be Treated? 

EEG biofeedback has already been proven effective against an amazingly wide array of neurological disorders, including:

·         Anxiety
·         Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
·         Autism
·         Chronic Pain
·         Fibromyalgia
·         Insomnia
·         Memory Loss
·         Migraines/Tension Headaches
·         Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
·         Seizures

Embrace the Future of Medicine 

EEG biofeedback got its name because it relies on electrical signals delivered from your brain called EEG’s. Prior to beginning therapy, an assessment is performed and subsequently interpreted by doctors using high-tech reading devices. This information, in turn, is used to determine which brainwave patterns need to be corrected. Patients are guided through a series of brain exercises, usually in the form of a video or audio recording (the “feedback” part of EEG biofeedback), that teach the brain to self-regulate when brainwave patterns begin to deviate from the norm. After a certain amount of repetition, the brain will eventually learn how to perform these normalizing functions automatically, which should then help address the problem not only in the right now, but for the long-term. In this way, EEG biofeedback accomplishes what medication or therapy sets out to do without continually eating up your time, money, and patience.


To take the first step in changing your life forever with BrainCore’s incredible EEG biofeedback, click here today and get in touch with our team.

Addressing Your Fibromyalgia Prognosis


After being diagnosed, many people seek to address and understand their fibromyalgia prognosis. Fibromyalgia is a complicated, chronic condition that can cause a lot of emotional and physical distress for sufferers. Fortunately, the prognosis is not definite. Patients have shown a range of responses to different fibromyalgia treatments, but there is hope of improving your symptoms – especially if you’re proactive. 

Long-Term Outlook 

When looking at your fibromyalgia prognosis it is important to understand how different people’s experiences with the disorder can be. There is no definitive answer for whether your symptoms will worsen or improve. Each year we get closer to understanding the disorder, but here are some facts we know as of now:

·         Doctors who extensively treat fibromyalgia estimate that around 1/3 of patients will make significant improvements, 1/3 will stay the same, and 1/3 will experience worsening symptoms.

·         Fibromyalgia sufferers experience greater psychological distress and a greater impact on quality of life than those with other chronic pain conditions, and require treatment to address symptoms on a range of levels.

·         Research shows that patients treated with a multidisciplinary approach including medication, physical, and mental therapy showed the most significant response to treatment. 

Finding Relief 

One positive thing about your fibromyalgia prognosis is that every year more research is done to find effective treatment. Over the past decade the medical community has made great strides in better diagnosing and relieving the chronic pain disorder. It is generally recognized that as everyone’s experience with fibromyalgia is different, their response to treatment will be different as well. That means you and your doctor may have to experiment with different combinations of treatment to find a plan that’s effective for you. There is not one clear-cut cure, but studies have shown that many fibromyalgia sufferers find success by combining treatments to address symptoms on all sides. Some of the most effective fibromyalgia treatments include:

·         Medication – There are a number of medications available for fibromyalgia. None of them can cure the disorder on their own, but pairing them with other therapeutic treatments can increase their effect. The three most commonly prescribed medications for fibromyalgia are Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Savella.  Typically only around 35% of patients will respond to medication, and they do come with side effects, so a doctor should be consulted throughout treatment.

·         Exercise – Physical activity has been shown to be incredibly helpful for improving your long-term fibromyalgia prognosis. Studies on patients have shown that vigorous exercise is not necessary, and can actually worsen symptoms. However, some mild stretching and a short walk daily can make a big difference. Doctors suggest that fibromyalgia sufferers who get even five minutes of light exercise each day show much a much better physical prognosis over time.

·         Physical Therapy – This therapy seeks to alleviate the many consequences of fibromyalgia. It is particularly beneficial for treating the postural problems and muscle fatigue and weakness that often accompany the disorder. Physical therapy can be easily combined with other therapies to increase its benefits.

·         Neurofeedback Therapy – This brain training therapy works to redirect patient’s brainwaves to healthy and organized patterns. By correcting off-track brainwaves, neurofeedback creates a more stable and functional brain. This therapy has been shown to have no side effects, and has been effective in treating a variety of neurological conditions like chronic pain, panic attacks, and anxiety. Neurofeedback can be a great therapy option for fibromyalgia sufferers. To learn more about this treatment, Click Here. 

What Works for You? 


It can be scary when you first begin addressing your fibromyalgia prognosis. However, with patience, research, and dedication you stand a great chance of finding relief. Be kind to yourself, and honest about your feelings and response to treatment. If something isn’t working, try something new. Only you can decide what treatment is most effective for your body.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Retraining Your Brain with Biofeedback

What Exactly Is Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is a specific type of biofeedback that deals exclusively with the brain. Brain functions are observed and brain waves are measured in order to provide feedback that can be used to retrain dysfunctional brainwave patterns. Not sure what type of damage these patterns are doing? Believe it or not, they are the root of problems causing neurological issues both large and small.

Also known as EEG Biofeedback, neurofeedback is designed to give patients long-term coping mechanisms for managing neurological disorders. This is accomplished by teaching the brain to self-regulate, as opposed to having it be regulated by medications which can have harmful side effects or even create dependency.

What Can Be Treated?

In the past, neurofeedback has been proven effective in fighting a great number of neurological conditions both common and rare. Here are just some of the problems an disorders in which the worth of the treatment has already been proven by anecdotal research:

·         Addiction
·         Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
·         Autism
·         Chronic Pain
·         Depression
·         Epilepsy
·         Headaches
·         Insomnia
·         Panic Attacks

How it Works

Neurofeedback is a guided exercise for the brain that aims to get brainwave patterns that have gone awry and subsequently become problematic back to normal. Doctors are able to recognize brainwave patterns in need of retraining during a pre-treatment assessment that all patients must undergo and then formulate a course of action. The treatment itself generally consists of patients being presented various stimuli while simultaneous hooked up to a monitor. Brainwave patterns are measured, and if they are regular the stimuli will continue being presented. If the brainwaves begin to deviate from normal, the stimuli will become less available to the patient, prompting the brain to return to a normal pattern subconsciously and thus training the brain to self-regulate. Ultimately, in doing so, the entire brain becomes much healthier and operates much more efficiently – ridding patients of some of the more troubling symptoms of neurological disorders.

Neurofeedback therapy is entirely noninvasive and has been declared safe by the Food and Drug Administration. In fact, not once in the 40-year history of the procedure has one serious side effect been recognized. Everything is pain-free and monitored by trained doctors. Best of all, where a drug wears off or therapy is no longer available, the positive effects of neurofeedback are still felt for a lifetime because your brain has learned to right the ship independently.


To further understand how BrainCore’s extraordinary neurofeedback therapy could change your life, click here today.

Friday, February 7, 2014

How to Treat Tension Headaches



There are a number of opinions on how to treat tension headaches, but everyone responds to treatment differently. Look at different medications and therapy to find what works.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Can BrainCore Therapy Treat Post Stroke Syndrome?

What is Post Stroke Syndrome?

Stuart Hepburn - Locked in syndrome-1710498
Central Post Stroke Pain Syndrome, also called CPSP or simply Post Stroke Syndrome, is an excruciating and debilitating condition, one BrainCore Therapy is determined to defeat. Post Stroke Syndrome is extremely difficult to treat because it can take many forms and we are still in the process of learning about it. Generally, there are four kinds of pain common to post-stroke recovery:
  • Peripheral neuropathic pain: nerve sensitivity that causes muscle pain, numbness, tingling, burning sensations, and weakness throughout the nervous system
  • Spasticity: tightness or stiffness in muscles causing discomfort and limiting movement
  • Musculoskeletal pain: pain centralized in the bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons
  • Headaches 
BrainCore Therapy recognizes that surviving a stroke is unfortunately only the first hurdle patients must overcome in getting their life back to some semblance of normalcy. In addition to these typical post-stroke symptoms we just discussed, Post Stroke Syndrome is characterized by thalamic pain syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes the brain and spinal cord to register various stimuli incorrectly and cause chronic and agonizing pain throughout the body. It is precisely this condition that BrainCore Therapy wishes to treat with neurofeedback.

How Neurofeedback Works

The concept behind BrainCore Therapy’s groundbreaking treatment is simple: your body knows how to function properly, and if it has lost its way, we must simply retrain it. That sounds well and good in theory, but never before have we been able to accomplish this through such technologically sophisticated means. Neurofeedback therapy allows doctors to monitor cues and feedback from the body real-time while patients are taken through a series of guided brain exercises aimed at correcting brainwave patterns that are causing problems such as Post Stroke Syndrome. The best part is this: neurofeedback by BrainCore Therapy is all completely painless, noninvasive, and doesn’t involve any sort of medication. All that is used are small EEG sensors that hook you up to monitoring devices, all supervised by a doctor. BrainCore Therapy understands that you have been through enough surviving and recovering from a stroke, and the ultimate goal of neurofeedback is to give you lasting tools to make each and every day more comfortable and enjoyable for you as you put your best foot forward. To learn more about BrainCore Therapy and their incredible neurofeedback treatment technique for Post Stroke Syndrome, click here today.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

What is EMDR Therapy?

What is EMDR Therapy?

How it Works

EMDR therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, is a relatively new form of psychotherapy. It does not follow traditional therapeutic techniques such as talk therapy, and it does not require prescription medication. This makes it a particularly exciting treatment option for patients seeking relief without the risk of dangerous adverse side effects. EMDR therapy lasts around 90 minutes, and works by using the patient’s own rapid, rhythmic eye movements to improve their emotional responses to certain stimuli. During an EMDR therapy session, a therapist will gently work with the patient to revisit a traumatic event or problematic trigger situation. As the patient addresses the memory, the therapist moves an object rapidly in front of the patient’s eyes like windshield wipers. As emotionally charged images and memories arise, the patient views them through rapidly moving eyes. When these natural, rhythmic eye movements are induced, the painful feelings about the event are replaced with peaceful and resolved ones. The eye movements naturally lessen the power of emotionally charged traumatic memories. EMDR therapy has already been very successful at reducing many of the troublesome symptoms that arise from instances of trauma.

What it Treats

EMDR therapy has been shown effective in treating many psychological problems, such as anxiety, eating disorders, and addictions. However, it is particularly useful for treating patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD can occur after a variety of traumatic experiences, such as sexual or physical assault, the loss of a loved one, military combat, or even a car accident. By changing the brain’s emotional response to memories of the trauma, EMDR therapy can help resolve the physical sensations that go along with it. Some common symptoms of PTSD that EMDR therapy has been able to relieve include:
  • Avoidance of Reminders
  • Increased Emotional Arousal
  • Intrusive Thoughts
  • Insomnia
  • Nightmares
  • Flashbacks
  • Emotional Outbursts
  • Paranoia
  • Difficulty Maintaining Focus 

Can EMDR Therapy Help You?

If you are suffering from problematic symptoms related to a traumatic event, EMDR therapy can be a safe and effective treatment option. Patients with PTSD are often prescribed serious medications like antidepressants or antianxiety pills, but these drugs can lead to even more unwanted side effects. EMDR therapy is a natural option that has not been shown to produce adverse results. It has been declared an effective form of trauma treatment by many psychiatric organizations including the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies, the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, and the American Psychiatric Association. EMDR therapy has already provided relief for countless patients, so don’t suffer in silence – there is help available!
For more information, please visit our website here!

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Can BrainCore Therapy Treat Post Stroke Syndrome?

What is Post Stroke Syndrome?


Central Post Stroke Pain Syndrome, also called CPSP or simply Post Stroke Syndrome, is an excruciating and debilitating condition, one BrainCore Therapy is determined to defeat. Post Stroke Syndrome is extremely difficult to treat because it can take many forms and we are still in the process of learning about it. Generally, there are four kinds of pain common to post-stroke recovery:

·         Peripheral neuropathic pain: nerve sensitivity that causes muscle pain, numbness, tingling, burning sensations, and weakness throughout the nervous system
·         Spasticity: tightness or stiffness in muscles causing discomfort and limiting movement
·         Musculoskeletal pain: pain centralized in the bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons
·         Headaches

BrainCore Therapy recognizes that surviving a stroke is unfortunately only the first hurdle patients must overcome in getting their life back to some semblance of normalcy. In addition to these typical post-stroke symptoms we just discussed, Post Stroke Syndrome is characterized by thalamic pain syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes the brain and spinal cord to register various stimuli incorrectly and cause chronic and agonizing pain throughout the body. It is precisely this condition that BrainCore Therapy wishes to treat with neurofeedback. 

How Neurofeedback Works


The concept behind BrainCore Therapy’s groundbreaking treatment is simple: your body knows how to function properly, and if it has lost its way, we must simply retrain it. That sounds well and good in theory, but never before have we been able to accomplish this through such technologically sophisticated means. Neurofeedback therapy allows doctors to monitor cues and feedback from the body real-time while patients are taken through a series of guided brain exercises aimed at correcting brainwave patterns that are causing problems such as Post Stroke Syndrome.

The best part is this: neurofeedback by BrainCore Therapy is all completely painless, noninvasive, and doesn’t involve any sort of medication. All that is used are small EEG sensors that hook you up to monitoring devices, all supervised by a doctor. BrainCore Therapy understands that you have been through enough surviving and recovering from a stroke, and the ultimate goal of neurofeedback is to give you lasting tools to make each and every day more comfortable and enjoyable for you as you put your best foot forward.


To learn more about BrainCore Therapy and their incredible neurofeedback treatment technique for Post Stroke Syndrome, click here today.