Neurofeedback therapy has become a popular complementary therapy that can be utilized alongside standard medical care to help treat and improve symptoms for a variety of medical conditions. What is neurofeedback therapy and why is it so popular?
A Brief History of Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback Today is the industry’s trusted resource for the history of this treatment, its practitioners and the data behind the science of the procedure. The site explains that Neurofeedback therapy was developed in the 1960s by Dr. Joe Kamiya, a researcher at the University of Chicago, and Dr. Barry Sterman, with the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Both researchers were studying relaxation states of the brain, albeit using different methodologies.
Kamiya’s research focused on consciousness and alpha waves in the brain; these waves produce a soothing effect. Kamiya realized that some of his participants identified when their brain produced these signals and they learned to produce more of them.
Sterman studied the brain’s activity during sleep; cats were the focus of his study, and Sterman found that specific brain activity correlated with relaxation in his feline subjects. To facilitate this response, Dr. Sterman used a rewards system to provide positive feedback to the cats each time they entered this relaxed state. Ultimately, the cats became more relaxed because they learned how to enter this state.
The Evolution of Neurofeedback Therapy
Kamiya and Sterman represented the beginning of what would evolve into the neurofeedback therapy we know today. Sterman eventually worked with NASA to help prevent nausea, seizures and other negative reactions in astronauts that was caused by a specific type of fuel; cats were again the subject and those who entered the relaxed state were not prone to seizures from the fuel. In the 1970s, Sterman explored this type of therapy for children with ADHD which proved to be successful. By the 1980s, neurofeedback therapies were expanded to treat those suffering from addictions. Now neurofeedback therapies are used to treat a vast number of conditions.
What does this neurofeedback therapy entail, what can it treat and is it safe?
About Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback therapy uses small electrode sensors connected to wires that are applied to areas of the head and neck. These electrodes and wires deliver an EEG signal to the brain to help individuals learn to reboot the brain’s response.
The neurofeedback clinician uses activities to facilitate specific brain responses from the patient. These games work to train the brain and help the individual learn to control their brain’s response as it relates to specific stimuli, behaviors, etc. In traditional neurofeedback therapy, the patient learns which specific stimuli result in positive feelings.
Like the early research that led to the development of neurofeedback therapy, the patient develops control over their brain’s response because the therapy teaches them how to generate specific signals from their brain at will.
Neurofeedback vs. Biofeedback
The terms neurofeedback and biofeedback are not interchangeable. While neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback, not all biofeedback therapies are neurofeedback. According to The Cleveland Clinic, biofeedback is best explained as “...an alternative medicine approach that teaches people to change the way their bodies function.”
Neurofeedback is one of three types of biofeedback therapies. Mt. Sinai Medical Center explains that biofeedback therapies also include electromyography (this helps with muscle tension) and thermal biofeedback (this focuses on skin temperature).
All biofeedback therapies teach the individual to control some aspect of their body to increase comfort and manage symptoms associated with specific conditions.
Neurofeedback Equipment at Masterpiece Smiles
At Masterpiece Smiles, neurofeedback sessions and treatment are guided by equipment and technology developed by IASIS Technologies. IASIS created a unique microcurrent neurofeedback program and therapy that is different from standard neurofeedback therapies.
In traditional neurofeedback sessions, the individual learns to control their brain’s response based on recognizing their brain’s reaction to specific stimuli (through activities or games). IASIS neurofeedback delivers tiny electrical signals to the brain to help reboot the brain’s response.
IASIS neurofeedback works faster and requires fewer sessions than traditional neurofeedback treatment. In addition, many patients find the treatment to be relaxing. To measure the brain’s response to IASIS, Masterpiece Smiles incorporates a program called BrainGage.
Our Neurofeedback Training and Expertise
Mary Frith, Registered Nurse and IASIS Certified Provider, leads IASIS neurofeedback sessions at Masterpiece Smiles. Frith has received advanced training in IASIS and is certified by the program to work as an IASIS provider. Frith has personal experience with neurofeedback and experienced success with the treatment to help her overcome jet lag on trips and everyday life stressors. Prior to becoming an IASIS Certified Provider, Frith was a nurse at a St. Louis hospital where she cared for neuro and cardio patients.
Schedule an IASIS Session Today
IASIS neurofeedback therapy can be used to help treat a variety of medical conditions. Schedule a consultation at Masterpiece Smiles today to learn how this microcurrent neurofeedback therapy can help transform your life.
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