LENS Neurofeedback
Do you suffer from anxiety or sleep problems? Have you experienced traumatic experiences in your life? Have you suffered from panic attacks, depression, or other neurological issues such as Parkinson’s?
Neurofeedback is a subdivision of biofeedback, a method of gaining information by monitoring a person’s blood pressure, skin temperature, brain waves, and heart rate to help promote control over what are usually involuntary processes.
No matter the type of biofeedback involved, it will use some monitoring device and electronic sensors to share data about what is happening in the body. In neurofeedback, special sensors offer information about specific brain waves: are the brain waves working harmoniously, or is there dysregulation?
Think of dysregulation as an orchestra that is tuning up before a performance. No one is playing WITH one another; instead, there is a cacophony of noise that doesn’t sound so nice.
So, thanks to technology, we can get accurate information about how parts of our brain are working, such as a map, if you will. Some types of neurofeedback can also compare one brain to others of the same gender and age for health screenings.
How Does Neurofeedback Help Neurological Issues?
The interesting thing about neurofeedback is that Therapists can use the monitored information captured to ascertain brain health as well as treat brainwave dysregulation, which in turn can help a variety of neurological issues, including:
- Stroke/aneurysm
- Concussion
- Anxiety
- Sleep problems
- PTSD
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Movement disorders such as myoclonic
When the brain gives real-time information about itself, it is able to make necessary adjustments. And it can make these adjustments quite rapidly. These adjustments mean that after just one session, an individual may notice an improvement in their mood, regulation, or attention.
Neurofeedback also helps brain flexibility. What do I mean by that? Well, you’ve probably experienced a sudden shift in brain activity yourself. Maybe you felt kind of down all day, and then suddenly, your basketball team makes the winning shot, and you feel elated—the way emotions change during the moment is an example of the brain and brain waves being flexible.
But often, people get stuck in a particular mental state, and that can cause problems in their relationships and ability to focus. As another example, some people can become angry but quickly return to a calm state. Others, though, stay in the anger state for far too long.
Neurofeedback helps the brain to shift states more fluidly. The brain’s ability to change in that manner can help people who suffer from anger issues, anxiety, depression, impulsivity, and behavioral issues.
If you or someone you know may benefit from neurofeedback, please contact Heart of Mind Therapy. We would be happy to discuss how our therapists can help. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.