Ten Common Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

When we face difficult or unfamiliar situations in life, whether meeting a partner’s parents for the first time or struggling to pay bills, each person’s body has natural anxiety reactions. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as some of those physical reactions to stress actually help prepare us to face these situations both mentally and physically; however, when these anxiety reactions become the norm and begin to hamper everyday life, it’s time to seek help.

Long-term physical and mental anxiety symptoms have been documented to increase insomnia, high blood pressure, depression, headaches, asthma symptoms, compromised immune systems, and a whole host of negative impacts. In addition, the presence of untreated anxiety in workers has been found to increase the incidence of workplace accidents.

Knowing the symptoms of an anxiety disorder can alert you to the fact you need help. Keep in mind, having occasional, intense reactions to stress probably doesn’t indicate an anxiety disorder. The rule of thumb is that the anxiety symptoms must recur for at least six months.

Use this checklist as a general guideline for understanding what you might be experiencing, but don’t stop there. Talk to your doctor about what’s happening so that a determination can be made as to whether an anxiety disorder may be causing your symptoms and then an appropriate treatment can be recommended.

1.       Excessive perspiration when your physical environment doesn't warrant it can be one of the ways your body signals anxiety.

2.      Rapid heartbeat occurring on a regular basis can be a warning sign your body is overstressed.

3.      Dizziness when accompanied by other anxiety symptoms may mean your body’s stress hormones are on overdrive.

4.      Nausea and other digestive upset can also be caused by stress hormones pumping through your body. Again, when it’s caused by an anxiety disorder, it recurs over time.

5.      Racing thoughts or recurring, unwanted thoughts can indicate an anxiety disorder if they become common occurrences.

6.       Difficulty breathing can come on suddenly in response to a perceived threat. This is one of the classic symptoms of an anxiety attack.

7.      Being fearful without apparent reason is a warning signal that your body is no longer handling stress well.

8.       Agitation or moodiness on a regular basis could be anxiety indicators.

9.       Insomnia that isn’t resolved by practicing better sleep habits is one of the most common ways an anxiety disorder is first recognized.

10.  Being unable to concentrate on daily tasks may mean that anxiety is becoming a problem.

Anxiety disorders can limit your ability to function well, and over time can contribute to other serious medical conditions. If you’ve been experiencing some of the symptoms above over a period of time without relief, it may be time to get professional help in relieving your anxiety.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR ANXIETY

The Basics of HEG Neurofeedback

HEG neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback training based on the study of blood flow to areas of the brain. This translates into heat in corresponding sections of the brain, picked up by infrared sensors during the training.

HEG, or hemoencephalography, allows the person undergoing the neurofeedback training to see exactly when overstimulation of certain areas of the brain is occurring and allows them to increase the blood flow to other areas of the brain.

The prefrontal cortex, also known as the PFC, is home to the executive functions such as the ability to organize, to make decisions, to focus, and to feel empathy for others. It is also the part of the brain that can temper overstimulation in other sections. This is important because disorders such as anxiety, attention deficit disorder, and out of control anger are connected to exaggerated responses to stimuli. By learning to optimize the activity of the prefrontal cortex through HEG neurofeedback training, that overreaction to external stimulus can be tempered.

Here’s how that training might look: the patient is allowed to view an emotional movie or images meant to evoke a strong emotional reaction in the limbic system; when the heat sensors detect activity in that portion of the brain, the image disappears. In order to bring the image back, the patient is taught to move blood flow into the prefrontal cortex through visualization of energy or warmth flooding that area of the brain. When the PFC is engaged, it tempers the over stimulated limbic system.

With a fully activated prefrontal cortex, the patient is more likely to remain in an alert state with top mental functioning. This also means he may be less susceptible to an over stimulated limbic system and the disorders that can result.

By harnessing the science of hemoencephalography through HEG neurofeedback training, it is possible to bring relief from the symptoms of many troubling emotional disorders.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: BrainCore's revolutionary NEUROFEEDBACK therapy

How to Locate the Right Therapist For Your Child

When your child’s symptoms indicate a need for therapy due to a mental or emotional condition, it can seem quite difficult to find the person best suited for the task. A medical doctor or school counselor may have offered a referral, and that’s a good place to start, but it’s important to locate a therapist who is a good fit for your child.

We’ll first deal with the questions you can use to filter your search. It’s appropriate, as you make inquiries, to ask what experience the therapist has in treating your child’s specific disorder. For your own comfort level, it’s also important to know the method of treatment they will be employing. Will they rely primarily on medication to relieve your child’s symptoms? Are they open to alternative therapies like biofeedback? Asking those kinds of questions during your research can help you better understand the qualifications and background of individual therapists.

As you begin your search for the right therapist for your child, you have several sources of information at your disposal. Most medical society directories have ratings and background information on doctors in every type of practice.

If you are in a support group for parents whose children have a specific condition, asking other parents about their experiences with therapists can be helpful. As mentioned previously, your child’s medical doctor can provide information on therapists that patients have been referred to in the past. In the same way, the counselor at your child’s school may be able to provide details about child therapists to which students have been referred.

Another source of information regarding therapists is the abundance of directories available online. Some directories are maintained by professional organizations to which therapists may belong. Others may offer clinicians the opportunity to provide detailed profiles with their education, licensing, and areas of specialty to prospective clients.

It is helpful to know, as you read through a therapist’s profile, what their credentials indicate, because counseling professionals come from varied educational backgrounds. LCMFT, for example, indicates the therapist is a Licensed Clinical Marriage & Family Therapist.  The credentials LCPC mean that the therapist is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a Masters degree in psychology. LMSW would indicate they are a Licensed Master Social Worker.

Regardless of credentials, the therapist who is right for your child is the one who employs effective strategies to bring relief. Do your homework, choose the therapist you believe will relate best to your child and look forward to a brighter future for your child.

Alternative medicine: BrainCore Therapy's Neurofeedback therapy

Gentle Relief with EMDR Therapy

Treatment of patients traumatized by painful memories can be a lengthy process. Fortunately, the introduction of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has dramatically reduced the time required to assist patients in processing trauma and moving forward to emotional recovery.

EMDR therapy is based on the results of years of credible research and is approved as therapeutic for treating traumatized patients by such organizations as the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Therapists trained in EMDR techniques lead their patients through remembering the traumatic event and then allowing the mind to reframe it in a healthy, positive way. As this multi-step process is being followed, the patient is also taught eye movement techniques that encourage the release of the painful memories being stored in the memory areas of the brain.

The above is a very simple explanation for a complex process that occurs within the brain. To better understand the startling success rate of EMDR therapy, consider that during dreaming, when the brain is processing old memories and recent events, the eyes are in constant movement known as REM (rapid eye movement.) The development of EMDR is, in some ways, an extension of that natural process.

Careful training is required for clinicians to assist the person suffering from the after effects of trauma to break free from destructive behaviors, depression, frozen emotions, and anxiety. The careful coordination of eye movements (or in some cases other stimuli) with this process is crucial. For that reason, this training is restricted to licensed medical or social work professionals with advanced education in the provision of mental health services.

From the patient’s viewpoint, EMDR therapy can allow them to make great strides in a shorter time period. With proper preparation and guidance, they can recall the painful events triggering their emotional disturbance and then learn to see them in a different way. The gentle, non-invasive relief that EMDR offers can release them from the troubling symptoms that caused them to seek help in the first place.

EMDR therapy has been beneficial to thousands of patients in relieving the long-term effects of trauma. It does not involve medication and is practiced by well-trained, licensed professionals. The significance of the mind/body connection that is the basis for this form of treatment is still being explored and may offer hope for even more forms of emotional dysfunction in the future.

ATERNATIVE MEDICINE: NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY FOR NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS

The Ways That Therapists Help Patients

How Therapists Can Help

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 20^th 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. 

NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY FOR NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS

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

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

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

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.

What is a Neurofeedback Machine?

In neurofeedback therapy, brainwave activity is measured with a precision instrument, and a frequency is “fed back” to the brain to facilitate positive changes. Often, this information is displayed to the participant in the form of sounds, images, or something like a video game, in which the display changes based on the brainwave frequency. This allows people to become “trained” in self-regulating their own brainwave frequencies through trial-and-error and repeated practice. There are three main types of detector used in neurofeedback therapy: the electroencephalogram (EEG), the hemoencephalogram (HEG), and the low energy neurofeedback system (LENS) 

The EEG: A Neurofeedback Machine That Measures Brainwave Activity 

The most commonly used device in neurofeedback therapy is an EEG. Through an EEG, electrodes are placed at strategic locations on the scalp, where they detect brainwave frequencies. This is possible because neurons, or brain cells, are “polarized,” meaning they carry an electrical charge. The nervous system works via electrical activity, known as “action potentials,” and this is how information is carried through the nerves and brain.

An EEG readout takes the form of a graph that shows wavelike forms. This graph reflects oscillating electrical frequencies, which are indicative of the type and location of neural activity happening inside the brain.

Some brainwaves have distinctive patterns, and are associated with certain types of activity. “Alpha” rhythms and “theta” rhythms, for example, are associated with relaxation, whereas “beta” rhythms are associated with conscious mental focus and concentration. An EEG machine can be used to measure and identify these rhythms, and in neurofeedback therapy, this information is used to teach people to change their brainwaves at will. 

The HEG: A Neurofeedback Machine that Measures Blood Flow in the Brain 

Another type of neurofeedback machine, less commonly used than the EEG, is the HEG, or “hemoencephalogram.” An HEG machine uses infrared sensing to detect blood flow within the brain. Measuring where in the brain blood is flowing, and how oxygenated the blood is, can indicate what regions of the brain are active, which gives an idea as to what neurological and mental processes are occurring. There are two main types of HEG neurofeedback:

·         Near Infrared Sensing (NIR), which measures local changes in oxygenation of the blood

·         Passive Infrared Sensing (PIR), which measures the amount of heat being produced in a region of the brain

Both of these measures are reflections of where blood is flowing within the brain, which can indicate the source of the patient’s problems. Thus just like with EEG data, HEG data can be used in neurofeedback therapy to inform individuals of their own mental functioning. 

The LENS: A Commonly Used Neurofeedback Machine 

The Low Energy Neurofeedback System (LENS), developed in 1992 by Dr. Len Ochs, is yet another frequently used neurofeedback machine. In the LENS system, an EEG machine is connected to computer software. An electrical frequency, specifically a radio frequency, is then fed back to the brain in order to stimulate EEG activity. LENS participants report feelings of calm and increased mental clarity. LENS software uses games as a framework to display information to participants about changes in their brainwave frequencies. 

Neurofeedback Machine

Does Neurofeedback Work for Autism Spectrum Disorders?

Neurofeedback therapy uses instruments, usually electroencephalographs (EEGs), to measure electrical activity in the brain. This information is then “fed back” to individuals using sound, video, or game-like activities. The individual can use this to train themselves to modulate their brainwave activity. This approach is applicable to a variety of disorders that involve dysfunction in brain processes. This includes ADHD, addiction, anxiety, depression, some types of pain disorders, and autism spectrum disorders.

There are relatively few studies on the effects of neurofeedback for autism, but those which have been conducted have indicated that neurofeedback could work for many autistic individuals. Many mental health professionals who work with autistic children have provided case studies in which neurofeedback produced remarkable results. 

How Does Neurofeedback Work to Treat Autism? 

Neurofeedback therapy uses electroencephalograms (EEG machines), which detect electrical activity in the brain, to obtain information about brainwave processes. The information is then “fed back”, often using videos and sounds, to the participant who uses the information to consciously change brainwave patterns. This training becomes learned behavior; overtime, the patient will be able to self-regulate these brainwave patterns.

Autism is a complex syndrome, which is defined by abnormal integration processes in the brain. Neurofeedback takes a different approach to autism as opposed to other forms of treatment. Most methods of treating symptoms of autism have their effects on a behavioral level; however, neurofeedback addresses the problem at the source – the brain. Electrodes are placed on the patients scalp over the areas of the brain that correspond to the individual’s particular difficulties.

Autism is marked by a lack of integrative capability within the brain. Autistic brains have difficulty bringing together sensory and other forms of information. Sufferers of autism have difficulty “filtering out” irrelevant stimuli, and their brains display high levels of arousal. An example of Neurofeedback is the game, a technique where the speed or direction of an object is guided by brainwave frequencies. Over time and repetition the patients become trained to regulate their own brainwaves producing a calmer state of mind.

Autistic individuals, especially children, have difficulty identifying and coping with their emotions. An autistic child may be prone to “temper tantrums” which can last for protracted periods of time. When such neurofeedback techniques are implemented the patient is able to enter more relaxed states, thus making it easier for the sufferer to manage their emotions. Some case reports indicate that an autistic child, during the process of the neurofeedback session, may even become uncharacteristically calm. 

Does Neurofeedback Work for Autism, Without Significant Side Effects? 

Neurofeedback techniques are not known to have any side effects. Although an autistic child may at first be frightened by the novelty of the activities involved in neurofeedback therapy, practitioners report that this effect generally subsides quickly. 

So, How Well Does Neurofeedback Work for Autism? 

The benefits of neurofeedback therapy in autistic patients are not yet fully explored. However, case reports show successful outcomes in instances that neurofeedback was utilized in treating autism. Neurofeedback appears to have great potential in treating the problems that cause autistic individuals to have such great difficulties, thus improving their level of functioning. Further scientific exploration of autism in relation to this revolutionary new technique is underway. To schedule a consultation or to learn more about this safe, painless, non-invasive therapy please visit our website: www.braincoretherapy.com 

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR AUTISM

What is Electromyographic Biofeedback?

Electromyographic biofeedback is a technique that uses precise instruments to measure electrical activity in muscles. This information can be used to help patients learn control over muscle tension, which is normally an automatic and unconscious process. By using electromyographic feedback through numerous sessions, a patient learns to consciously control muscle tension in order to relieve pain. It is especially effective for pain that is associated with stress, such as tension headaches.

What Conditions Can Be Treated with Electromyographic Feedback?

Electromyographic biofeedback is effective for treating a number of disorders. Therapeutic applications of EMG biofeedback include:

·         Chronic headaches, especially tension headaches

·         Temporomandibular and dental pain

·         Tender point pain in fibromyalgia patients

·         Stress-induced tension in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

How is Electromyographic Biofeedback Carried Out?

During an electromyographic biofeedback session, surface electrodes are placed on the skin over the relevant muscle areas. These electrodes act as sensors, detecting the action potentials that appear when muscles are contracted. The EMG machine provides “feedback”, in the form of a representation of the action potentials’ strengths and patterns. Using this information, electromyographic biofeedback sessions train patients to learn to control muscle contraction.

Learning to relax the muscles at will can be a difficult process. Electromyographic biofeedback therapy is generally carried out in a series of 10 to 24 sessions. The initial session is often kept short, with subsequent sessions increasing in duration. After a session is completed, doctors ask the patients to give a self-report of perceived relaxation, muscle tension, and pain, generally on a scale of 1-10.

In order for electromyographic biofeedback therapy to be effective, it is important for a patient to feel relaxed. During EMG biofeedback sessions, patients are coached to use relaxation strategies, including:

·         Imagining relaxing scenery

·         Repeating relaxing phrases

·         Slow, deep, rhythmic breathing

·         Focusing on, and becoming more aware of, the particular sensations of tightness versus relaxation in the muscles

·         Clearing the mind completely

Electromyographic biofeedback therapy has been shown to effect lasting changes within the brain that persist long after the treatment is completed. Over time, the patient can develop the ability to increase and decrease muscle tension at will, even without feedback from the EMG equipment. 

Electromyographic Biofeedback

What is Electromyographic Biofeedback?

Stress is a hallmark of our modern lives. We feel stress from work, from school, from social gatherings, from our children and spouses – and the stress we feel only sets up even more stress. For many people, it can feel like there is a constant contest being waged between their will and their stress levels, and it is only a matter of time before something has to give.

When we finally do buckle under the pressure – and almost all of us do at some point – stress can lead to long-term disorders such as anxiety, hypertension and chronic pain, especially if it isn't caught and treated early on. The reason this happens is often due to the involuntary movements of our nervous system – our blood pressure, our muscle tension and more.

Luckily, electromyographic biofeedback is a technology-driven alternative medicine therapy that is helping countless patients with a host of stress-related afflictions, including the above mentioned, as well as headaches, back pain and even incontinence. The technology is not new – scientists have been using it for over 130 years – but this particular therapeutic method just sprung up in the last few years.

Here is how it works: electromyographic biofeedback collects information about your physiological responses to stress (or other disorders) from your skeletal muscles, and displays it back to you in a format that is easy to read and understand. Then, usually with a game of some kind, the device teaches you different strategies you can use to respond to muscle tension. Essentially, the device trains you to train yourself, so that you are the one wielding power over your body – not the other way around.

There are many kinds of electromyographic biofeedback devices. The most complicated are usually found in therapeutic and clinical settings, and are administered with the help of a doctor or other healthcare professional who can help you get the most out of it. But there are also smaller, less powerful (but still helpful) devices that you can purchase and use as part of a daily regimen to help you train your body to overcome your unconscious muscular reactions to the stress and anxiety of modern life.

The uses of electromyographic biofeedback aren't limited to just stress and stress-related conditions. They also help those suffering from chronic migraines, and assist with psychological therapies such as mindfulness meditation. There are even athletes who have been experimenting with electromyographic biofeedback therapies to help them achieve new heights of physical fitness.

If you are suffering from an overabundance of stress and you feel it is negatively affecting the quality of your life, consider looking into electromyographic biofeedback treatments. It is a perfectly safe, non-invasive, drug-free therapy that has already helped countless patients get the relief they deserve.

Electromyographic Biofeedback

Neurofeedback Training for Insomnia

In-Depth on Insomnia

Before discussing neurofeedback training as a cure, let’s delve into insomnia, its causes, and symptoms. Insomnia is a fairly common sleep disorder, especially in the United States, where over 60 million Americans are affected by the condition. People that suffer from insomnia have trouble falling asleep or experience troubled sleep patterns. This includes waking up throughout the night and having trouble falling back asleep, waking up too early, and feeling tired upon awakening.

One of the reason insomnia necessitates a treatment like neurofeedback training is that in any case, sleep deprivation can really negatively impact productivity, health, and quality of life. Insomnia is typically divided into two types and then further subdivided by how long the condition persists. Insomnia that is unassociated with any other health condition is referred to as primary insomnia, whereas insomnia that is due to some underlying condition such as asthma, indigestion, or arthritis is called secondary insomnia. Short-term insomnia is referred to as “acute”, but when the problem lasts an inordinate amount of time, we may be looking at what is called “chronic insomnia”.

Before getting to neurofeedback training and other treatment methods, here are some of the causes of insomnia, whether it is the acute or chronic variety:

·         Stress

·         Anxiety

·         Depression

·         Pain

·         Medication

·         Bad Sleep Atmosphere (i.e. sound, temperature, a newborn)

·         Alteration of Sleep Schedule

The Treatment Dilemma

Prior to the surfacing of groundbreaking treatments such as neurofeedback training, doctors historically had relied heavily on medication to alleviate the symptoms of insomnia. Beyond the fact that medicated sleep does not lend itself to restfulness, these medications can be potentially addictive or, in rare cases, gravely dangerous. Other treatment methods such as hypnosis, relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy are out there, but results are largely mixed.

For those of us who want results and wish to get them free of pharmaceuticals, neurofeedback training is right up our alley. Neurofeedback training treats not only insomnia, but often the underlying issue as well, and aims to achieving long-term and lasting results. The process is completely noninvasive and pain free. Better yet, no side effect for neurofeedback training has ever been found – something that can hardly be said about many of the prescription meds that are out there. How does that work? By teaching your brain to self-correct brainwave patterns that have gone awry, and in turn are causing you sleeplessness. Doctors electronically monitor your brainwave patterns as you go through a series of guided brain exercises, and within as little as a few sessions you could be well on your way to the restful nights you need to have amazing days. Check out some other advice and tips for conquering your sleeping dilemma on our video below:

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR INSOMNIA

Is Neurofeedback Equipment Painful?

What is Neurofeedback?

Before discussing how neurofeedback equipment works, let’s briefly discuss neurofeedback as a whole and how it is currently being used to change the lives of those afflicted with neurological conditions all over the planet. Neurofeedback, also called EEG biofeedback or neurotherapy, is a groundbreaking new treatment that utilizes cutting-edge equipment to monitor brain activity and eventually teach the brain to self-regulate its own brainwave patterns.

Every person’s brain carries out an almost innumerable amount of functions each and every day through electrical signals, or brainwaves, that are sent throughout the central nervous system and the rest of the human body. When brainwave patterns are normal, our body functions are like a well-oiled machine. Over time, however, brainwave patterns can start to get off-track, and when this happens, it greatly increases the likelihood that we develop problems. That’s where neurofeedback comes in. Neurofeedback equipment is used to measure brain activity and then to produce a signal that is used as feedback – hence the name neurofeedback – that teaches our brain’s to right these brainwave patterns that have gone awry without resorting to drugs, surgery, or the various costly psychotherapy methods.

How the Therapy Works

For all of the benefits it offers, the great part about this process is that neurofeedback equipment is completely painless and noninvasive to the patient. Beyond this, the FDA has declared neurofeedback to be completely safe and no known side effect has ever been established. The therapy works like this: before sessions begin, doctors conduct a comprehensive assessment that is used to determine if and how a patient’s brainwave patterns are deviating from the norm. If this is indeed the case, this information will provide valuable insight that will then, in turn, be used to create protocols for successful treatment. During the treatment itself, patients are hooked up via simple EEG sensors that easily adhere to the skin. These sensors do not transmit any electricity into the body, and are solely used as monitoring devices. Patients are guided through a series of brain exercises, usually taking the form of something like a video or a game, and over time, using the determined feedback, the brain is taught to self-regulate the targeted brainwave patterns. After a certain amount of sessions, this will take place automatically and naturally within our own systems, and patients won’t have the need to keep coming back. The ultimate goal here is simple: provide the natural tools to combat neurological disorders by giving patients independence over their own brains.

NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY