It is the job of our brain to regulate our body’s functioning and to make sure we are performing optimally and in an efficient and effective manner. Unfortunately, sometimes our brain functioning is compromised. This can happen for numerous reasons including inherited genetics (born that way as in AD/HD and autism), head injury, stroke and neurochemical imbalances to name a few. Neurofeedback is a technique in which we train the brain to help improve its ability to regulate all bodily functions, perform optimally, increase efficiency and effectiveness and to take care of itself in general. When the brain is not functioning well, evidence of this often shows up in the EEG (Electroencephalogram). By challenging the brain, much as you challenge your body in physical exercise, we can help your brain learn to function better.

EEG Biofeedback, also called Neurofeedback and Neurotherapy, is a learning strategy that enables persons to alter their brainwaves. Brainwaves are important because they are associated with specific mental and emotional states. In Neurofeedback we generally speak of 5 brainwaves; delta, theta, alpha, beta and SMR (sensorimotor rhythm). Delta (0.5-3.0 or 0-4Hz) is primarily found during deep sleep. Theta (3-7 or 4-8Hz) is normally seen during hypnagogic states (waking up/falling asleep) and also important to memory consolidation. Alpha (8-11 or 8-12Hz) is associated with mental stillness, pure awareness without processing and should center on 10Hz for adults. SMR/LoBeta (12-15 or 12-16Hz) refers to physical stillness and body presence. The body often feels heavy and warm with low muscle tone. Beta (15-18 or 16-20Hz) relates to detail-oriented processing, language and logical-rational thought. Beta2 (19-22 or 20-24Hz) is seen during extreme engagement, highly focused and curious; may be experienced as anxious. Hibeta (23-38 Hz) usually refers to hyper-vigilance and extreme anxiety and generally relates to PTSD or abuse history. So you can see when information about a person's own brain wave characteristics is made available to him, he can learn to change them. You can think of it as exercise for the brain.

The most common application of EEG biofeedback is currently to the attention, learning, and behavior problems of children. However, other common applications are directed toward mood disorders, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, sleep disorders, and the more severe developmental disorders of children. More recently, EEG biofeedback has found application to alcoholism and other addictions, as well as to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

EEG Biofeedback is used for many conditions and disabilities in which the brain is not working as well as it might. These include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and more severe conduct problems, specific learning disabilities, and related issues such as sleep problems in children, teeth grinding, and chronic pain such as frequent headaches, migraines and stomach pain.

The training is also helpful with the control of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, as well as for more severe conditions such as medically uncontrolled seizures, minor traumatic brain injury, or cerebral palsy and more.

An initial interview is done to obtain a description of symptoms, and to get a picture of the health history and family history. Some testing may be done as well. And the person does the first EEG training session, at which time we get a look at the EEG. This all may take about two hours. (The details may differ among the various affiliate offices. In some offices a full brain map, or quantitative EEG, is routinely obtained, which may require a separate office visit. Or more extensive testing may be done.) Subsequent training sessions last about 40 minutes to an hour, and are conducted from one to five times per week. Some improvement is generally seen within ten sessions. Once learning is consolidated, the benefit appears to be permanent in most cases.

The EEG biofeedback training is a painless, non-invasive procedure. One or more sensors are placed on the scalp, and one to each ear. The brain waves are monitored by means of an amplifier and a computer-based instrument that processes the signal and provides the proper feedback. This is displayed to the trainee by means of a video game or other video display, along with audio signals. The trainee is asked to make the video game go with his brain. As activity in a desirable frequency band increases, the video game moves faster, or some other reward is given. As activity in an adverse band increases, the video game is inhibited. Gradually, the brain responds to the cues that it is being given, and a "learning" of new brain wave patterns takes place. The new pattern is one which is closer to what is normally observed in individuals without such disabilities.

In the case of ADHD, impulsivity, distractibility, and hyperactivity may all respond to the training. This may lead to much more successful school performance. Cognitive function may improve as well. In several controlled studies, increases of 10 points in IQ score were found for a representative group of ADHD children. And in two clinical studies, an average increase of 19 and 23 points was demonstrated. Behavior may improve in other ways as well: If the child has a lot of temper tantrums, is belligerent, and even violent or cruel, these aspects of behavior may come under the child's control.

In the case of depression, there can be a gradual recovery of "affect", or emotional responsiveness, and a reduction of effort fatigue. In the case of anxiety and panic attacks, there is gradual improvement in "regulation", with a dropoff in frequency and severity of anxiety episodes and panic attacks until the condition normalizes.

In the case of epilepsy, we observe a reduction in severity and incidence (frequency of occurrence) of seizures. In many cases .(old sentence) The dosage of anticonvulsant medication may ultimately be reduced (if ordered by the referring neurologist), and side effects of such medication may diminish.