The brain is the central information processing organ in the body. Neurofeedback uses technology to record and report signals coming from the brain. The signals are useful to an individual by assisting him/her to bring the processing pathways under control. This helps the person gain balance between the mind and body. It is not a medical diagnostic procedure, nor does it claim to cure any illness or disease. It does not replace medical treatment of any condition, but is an adjunct to it.

Margaret Ayers, an internationally recognized pioneer in neuronal regulation, describes neurofeedback by explaining the brain “whispers messages to the body through electrical impulses transmitted to the central nervous system.” When the brain is injured, brain waves (these electrical impulses) become disrupted and create abnormal rhythms or patterns. When these continue, imbalances are created in the body. Neurofeedback assists the brain in bringing itself and the body back into balance.

The special technology of the neurofeedback equipment which we use amplifies the electrical impulses and projects them on the computer screen as they are occurring in the brain. This capability is called “real time.” It provides feedback to the client in the form of reward points to allow for immediate correction of abnormal rhythms or brain wave patterns.

Health systems are increasingly interested in facilitating the body’s ability to heal and to be in balance with mind-body-spirit. Neurofeedback offers help and hope to individuals to “train their brain” toward this goal of balance. Brain research currently shows that neurofeedback can be an effective adjunct to the treatment of several brain/body imbalance disorders. This gives hope for success in learning to people with learning disabilities such as ADHD, ADD or dyslexia. It also gives hope to people with depression, migraine headaches, stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and head injuries (open or closed) and fibromyalgia as they are given the opportunity to participate in their own healing process.

What results are the expected outcomes of neurofeedback? This training helps to improve functions such as concentration, short term memory, speech, sleep, energy level, emotional balance and may improve motor skills. It often relieves recurrent pain. Unless there is another trauma or injury, the results restored remain. Once the individual has learned this balance, the message service from the brain to the body has been put back into operation. The skill should be usable to the person without needing further training sessions unless further trauma or injury occurs.