What is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback is a discipline of Biofeedback; it monitors and feeds back information about the electrical activity in the central nervous system (CNS), which is at the centre of virtually every self-regulatory loop and process in humans (and animals). It is non-invasive and compliments any other protocol of care, seamlessly.
What makes NeuroCARE Neurofeedback different?
NeurOptimal stands alone in the field of Neurofeedback because of its holistic approach to brain function; what happens at one location of the CNS will affect other areas in the system.
- It uses parallel sensors to train both sides of the brain, monitoring activity across a wide range of frequencies simultaneously.
- Your brain receives feedback from across several reference points the same way it does in ordinary, daily functioning; you can and do, walk, chew gum and talk on your cell phone!
- Your CNS computes your daily activities with no conscious input; NeurOptimal® uses this powerful capability by presenting unbiased, unadulterated information on itself.
- Your CNS gears itself into re-establishing its intrinsic healthy chaos quite seamlessly with no attachment to the how, why, when or where.
What does non-linear mean as applied to Neurofeedback?
Non-linear is based on the field of chaos mathematics; simply put, it describes complex systems with very simple equations to represent the random and unpredictable information that lies at centre of the system.
A non-linear approach in Neurofeedback recognizes that there is no single optimum state, no single frequency that is the goal to reach. Instead it respects that there is a range of variability around which your CNS operates. So instead of directing your brain to generate a specific, pre-determined level of activity at a specific location, it allows your brain to find its own “set point” and to oscillate within a range of variability according to your individual needs at any one time.
This follows the fundamental pulse in the experience of all of nature: birth, life, and death are expected norms.
How is the feedback related to the interruptions?
- Each interruption is feedback to your brain that it is stuck in a less than optimal state of functioning.
- For example, your brain is generating a high voltage of fast brainwaves at the expense of the slower ones. This over consumption of mental energy in the higher frequencies can cause worry, anxiety, chronic negative self talk and over-reactivity for example.
- During a session, each interruption is a "wake-up call or nudge" (a negative reinforcement) for the OR to shift and change the way it generates the electrical impulses in the brain. It is a call for your CNS to be present and to provide the best possible brainwave combinations, given what is going on in the now. In essence, your OR will adjust the way your brain transitions (see What is Transitioning?) so that the music and video will continue to play.
In essence, your OR will adjust the way your brain transitions so that the music and video will continue to play.
How old must one be to benefit from this kind of training?
There is no age limitation – children as young as 4 years old can be trained and experience excellent results. Teenagers, young adults and older adults will respond to training differently, and at a different pace. Typically, the old saying — “you can’t teach old dogs new tricks” becomes “you can teach any dog new tricks, but older dogs may take longer than younger ones”.
How many sessions do I need?
You will need as many sessions as you feel are necessary to attain the level of achievement you are seeking. You will know when your optimum point of core fitness has been reached because you have an innate wisdom that knows how much enough is. This is a non-linear process that essentially begins with you trusting and becoming attuned to this wisdom.
As with any exercise, practice makes perfect. The more consistent you train, the more likely you will retain your enhanced performance. Once a week is the best schedule for beginners; any interval longer than that will mean your progress will be slower. Once the training has taken effect, it is recommended that you maintain a low-level schedule of training to keep your brain “in shape”.
Typically, you should feel some change by 6 sessions. You will definitely feel a difference by 12 - 20 sessions. Many clients complete 40+ sessions.
Why would someone do 40+ sessions?
The process of non-linear Neurofeedback is a journey; you may choose to do more than a few sessions because you are interested in how Neurofeedback impacts your personal growth.
How will I know it is working?
The effects of training are very subtle; typically, you may notice some form of seamless behaviour modification in an area that oftentimes, seems totally unrelated to your original area of concern. At other times, you will be totally unaware that you are no longer behaving in the way that was originally relevant. In general, you will experience less emotional charge around issues or events that would have once set you off. Friends or family will probably notice a change in your behaviour before you do.
How will I know I have “felt” something if I don’t know when or what to expect?
One trainee's "ah ha" moment is different from another's; what is similar though is that each one will instinctively know that they are feeling something different about themselves.
"... You will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror, and each will smile at the other's welcome ... You will love again the stranger who was yourself ..." Derek Walcott, Love After Love, Collected Poems:1948-1984, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1987.
What happens if I start to notice things I don’t particularly want to?
This is common. As you become more self-aware, you will notice that you do some things well, and others, not so well. You may think that these issues have only emerged since you started training. The fact is they have always been there, but were consciously suppressed. Continued training will help in restoring balance at the root of the issue; as you become more aware of imbalances, you can make different choices, instead of being stuck in the same pattern.
Are there any side effects?
No, there are none. Neurofeedback will not cause side-effects. If you feel discomfort following a session, it will be related to the concern that brought you in for training in the first place.
It may seem like the challenge you came in for is worsening with the training. This is because initially, the training is bringing awareness around how you have been unconsciously coping within the context of your perceptions.
This is normal. The “negative” experiences will fall away as you become more resilient and robust.
It’s like changing the dressing on a wound; initially, it hurts to pull it off because the skin and flesh beneath are still tender and sore.
As healing progresses, you will be able to change the dressing with less and less pain.
In time, all you will have is a scar to remind you that there was ever any problem at the site.
Why is it that some people say Neurofeedback doesn’t work?
Neurofeedback promotes balance across the whole range of consciousness. Sometimes, regulation may occur at the subconscious and unconscious levels which are outside our conscious awareness. So, when a client says, “I can’t feel anything”, it just means the impact of Neurofeedback did not occur at the conscious level of awareness. Neurofeedback allows the brain to apply self-regulation where it needs it most at any particular point in time during the training. There are subtle nuances in recognizing where the adjustments or shifts are being applied, but that skill comes with experience. Those who say that Neurofeedback doesn’t work may have been expecting shifts at the conscious level of awareness, and failing to experience those, have made a premature judgement of the process in general.
What is Ki-Hara Resistance Stretching?
Ki-Hara Resistance Stretching is exercise that incorporates contraction into your stretch the same way you do for strength-training. One exercise works for both strength and flexibility simply by reversing the direction of motion. You always work balanced muscle groups, so that the working joint becomes much more stable and resilient. Like Neurofeedback training, Resistance Stretching offers cumulative and lasting improvements. See www.innovativebodysolutions.com for more information.
Why integrate Ki-Hara Resistance Stretching and Reflexology into a Neurofeedback training session?
This is done to attain deep relaxation from both a body-centred and mind-centred approach. Ki-Hara Resistance Stretching is mindfulness in motion, because you must be present with every movement. You elevate the gains of strength and flexibility.
Reflexology allows you to become present with the holistic relationship among your body parts.