Neurotherapy.
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The brain is a mimic. Hence the term Neuroplasticity. Neurotherapy / Neurofeedback / Neuromodulation are all names which describe the non invasive use of modalities (systems) which regulate imbalances in brain frequency (deviation). All our thoughts, emotions and behaviours are affected by our brainwave frequencies, which are tiny pulses of electrical activity produced as the neurons communicate with each other. When there are networks within the brain which are not communicating there are corresponding problems. These may be physical, mental or emotional. By influencing these electrical patterns, we can improve the brain’s communication networks and regulate brain frequency thereby optimising the brain's natural ability. The brain is the top of the central nervous system, from which all other body systems function, Neurotherapy indirectly affects regulation in the entire body, Therefore, Neurotherapy is effective for all disorders, disease, injury and mental or physical irregularity. It also benefits performance in athletes and high functioning individuals. Due to its nature, Neurotherapy can help both children and adults equally. In fact, thanks to the innate flexibility of the growing child’s brain, it is especially effective for children.
What is Neuroplasticity?
Neuroplasticity is the ‘muscle building’ part of the brain. It is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. Since the brain is pivotal to all we think, do and are, by enhancing our own neuroplasticity we can optimize our life experience and innate ability. Neurotherapy works with these fundamental principles of neuroplasticity.
What is a Brain Map?
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A qEEG otherwise know as Quantitative Electroencephalography otherwise know as Brain Mapping is quite simply a recording of brain wave activity. It's done by placing a 19 sensor electro-cap (not unlike a swimming cap with white plastic dots) on the head. A conductor gel between the sensor and the scalp picks up brain frequency which is fed to a computer software program and which is collated into brain maps. The resulting information is then processed via Loreta Z score, which transforms to create 3D functional maps of the brain. And voila there's your brain and how it's getting on or not as the case may be! We can then evaluate the areas, nodes and connections of functional networks in the brain which are potentially linked to a person's presenting symptoms.
Typical examples of when a Brain Map benefits as a diagnostic is in the instance of labeled conditions like Asperger's, ADHD, PTSD, ADD. "Seeing" the brain via qEEG can be extremely revealing and insightful. Attention Research has summarized research examining the accuracy of quantitative EEG (qEEG) as a diagnostic aid for ADHD. These studies have found that many individuals with ADHD show a pattern of brain electrical activity referred to as "cortical slowing". This is characterized by an elevation of low frequency theta waves and a reduction of higher frequency beta waves in the prefrontal cortex. Theta wave activity is associated with an unfocused, inattentive state while beta activity is associated with more focused attention. Thus, a deviation from normal range theta/beta ratio reflects a less alert and more unfocused state. However, the above list is just a limited sample of the expansive use to which a qEEG can be put for all sorts of symptoms and diagnosis.
NOTE: qEEG brain mapping may be booked as a stand alone diagnostic separate to Neurotherapy treatment.
Typical examples of when a Brain Map benefits as a diagnostic is in the instance of labeled conditions like Asperger's, ADHD, PTSD, ADD. "Seeing" the brain via qEEG can be extremely revealing and insightful. Attention Research has summarized research examining the accuracy of quantitative EEG (qEEG) as a diagnostic aid for ADHD. These studies have found that many individuals with ADHD show a pattern of brain electrical activity referred to as "cortical slowing". This is characterized by an elevation of low frequency theta waves and a reduction of higher frequency beta waves in the prefrontal cortex. Theta wave activity is associated with an unfocused, inattentive state while beta activity is associated with more focused attention. Thus, a deviation from normal range theta/beta ratio reflects a less alert and more unfocused state. However, the above list is just a limited sample of the expansive use to which a qEEG can be put for all sorts of symptoms and diagnosis.
NOTE: qEEG brain mapping may be booked as a stand alone diagnostic separate to Neurotherapy treatment.
What systems do we utilise?
At Healthy Living Ireland, we utilize NeuroField Inc., Neuroguide by Applied Neuroscience and LORETA Z-score. The latest brain research tells us that the degree to which brain areas work together in networks (termed coherence) is as important as the function of the brain areas themselves.
LORETA z-score Neurotherapy which is the most cutting edge system available, allows us to train areas beneath the surface – previously impossible. This means we can get better results with fewer sessions. The system was designed by a world leader in brain research, Dr. Robert Thatcher Ph.D. www.appliedneuroscience.com.
NeuroField Inc., provides state of art, cutting edge Neuromodulation and physiological / molecular regulation modalities. NeuroField modalities are designed to regulate brain deviation and presenting symptoms and to re-charge damaged molecular systems, which in turn, allows the body to engage in its own restorative systems so as to return to a balanced homeostatic state. The natural healing wisdom of the human body is complex, adaptive, fluid and intelligent. NeuroField Inc., is the "brain" child of Dr. Nicholas Dogris Ph.D. http://www.neurofield.org
LORETA z-score Neurotherapy which is the most cutting edge system available, allows us to train areas beneath the surface – previously impossible. This means we can get better results with fewer sessions. The system was designed by a world leader in brain research, Dr. Robert Thatcher Ph.D. www.appliedneuroscience.com.
NeuroField Inc., provides state of art, cutting edge Neuromodulation and physiological / molecular regulation modalities. NeuroField modalities are designed to regulate brain deviation and presenting symptoms and to re-charge damaged molecular systems, which in turn, allows the body to engage in its own restorative systems so as to return to a balanced homeostatic state. The natural healing wisdom of the human body is complex, adaptive, fluid and intelligent. NeuroField Inc., is the "brain" child of Dr. Nicholas Dogris Ph.D. http://www.neurofield.org
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Who Can Benefit? |
Neurotherapy addresses dysregulation in the brain. Problems which arise from dysregulation are numerous and so Neurotherapy can help with a variety of physical and mental ailments. Below are just a few examples of the myriad of conditions which can be treated with Neurotherapy.
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Addiction
Anxiety Aspergers Attachment Disorder Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Attention Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Autoimmune Dysfunction Cognitive Decline Chronic Pain Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Conduct Disorder / Learning Disabilities Depression |
Epilepsy
Eating Disorders Fibromyalgia Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Personality Disorders Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Parkinson's Disease Peak Performance Training Sleep Disorders Stroke Tourettes Syndrome Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) |
How Does it Help
Neurotherapy can help break undesirable established mental or behavioral patterns. A lot of the syndromes are self-reinforcing: by satisfying an addiction, it becomes stronger, and succumbing to anxiety makes the world seem even scarier, strengthening the patterns of addiction and anxiety. Neurotherapy can help break such cycles by providing reinforcement for "normal" function. In the instance of addiction the brain networks associated may often be dysregulated and Neurotherapy will make those corrections. People suffering from panic attacks or anxiety tend to experience a gradual improvement in their ability to regulate or control their attacks. Through Neurotherapy a reduction in the severity and frequency of anxiety episodes will occur until the condition normalizes.
Similarly depression is often due to dysregulation within the limbic brain. Implementing Neurotherapy for depression can have a gradual recovery effect, or encourage emotional responsiveness, and a reduction in effort fatigue.
In ADHD clients, impulsivity, distractibility, and hyperactivity may all respond to Neurotherapy. This can drastically improve school performance for children. Cognitive function, measured as raw IQ score, may improve as well: three controlled clinical studies found average increases of 10, 19, and 23 IQ points for representative groups of ADHD children.
Maladaptive behavior and borderline personality disorders can change as well. Temper tantrums, aggression, cruelty, or violence are all aspects of behavior which may be eliminated, reduced or more controlled by the person being treated giving rise to a more enhanced and balanced experience of life.
Neurotherapy for epilepsy tends to cause a similar reduction in both frequency and severity of seizures. In agreement with their medics the dosage of anticonvulsant medication may ultimately be reduced, which in turn usually leads to a reduction of its side effects.
Because of its wide scope of application, Neurotherapy has met its share of the same healthy skepticism that every new approach claiming numerous benefits encounters. Nonetheless, thirty years of clinical experience support the therapy. There are well documented clinical reports concerning the effectiveness of Neurotherapy.
A recent special issue of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America was devoted to emerging interventions that affect brain function. Neurotherapy was featured in seven of the ten chapters in the volume. The volume editors provided an overview and clinical perspective on all the approaches presented. About neurofeedback they concluded:
“EEG biofeedback meets the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry criteria for clinical guideline (CG) for treatment of ADHD, seizure disorders, anxiety (OCD, GAD, PTSD, phobias), depression, reading disabilities, and addictive disorders. This suggests that EEG biofeedback should always be considered as an intervention for these disorders by the clinician."
"We are in the early stages of a Brain Plasticity Revolution. That revolution begins with a clearer understanding that the brain’s machinery is being continually rewired and functionally revised , substantially under your control, throughout the course of your natural life. You have a remarkable built-in ability to strengthen and grow the person that you are, at any age."
Michael Merzenich, Ph.D. – Soft-Wired: How the New Science of Brain Plasticity Can Change Your Life
"As you go through life, your brain undergoes extraordinary development. Your brain is the most adaptable, modifiable organ in your body, and it can change both positively and negatively by how you use it each day."
Sondra Bond Chapman, Ph.D. – afterword in The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness: How to Optimize Brain Health and Performance at Any Age by Alvaro Fernandez
For further information & enquiries contact Healthy Living Ireland
00 353 (0) 57 868 1873
healthylivingireland@gmail.com
