An Overview: What Does Neurotherapy Treat?

Neurotherapy is a therapeutic technique that we’ve found to be especially useful in treating our clients with certain conditions, like depression, anxiety, and sleep issues. It works by balancing the brain’s electrical activity with its own natural frequencies.

Since neurotherapy doesn’t come with the same side effects as other treatments (such as medication), I have found it to be an attractive option for my clients who want to address these concerns without invasive measures. I also like that it can be tailored to suit each person’s specific needs, age, and overall health.

Keep reading for a closer look at how neurotherapy works and what it can treat.

Neurotherapy Meaning

Neurotherapy sometimes referred to as neurofeedback or EEG biofeedback, is a form of therapy that uses electrical stimulation to regulate the activity of the brain. This procedure works by measuring brainwave patterns and then providing feedback in the form of audio or visual cues to help modify them.

Doing so, it can help improve focus, reduce stress levels, and alleviate anxiety and other mental health symptoms.

The goal of neurotherapy is to achieve a more regulated state where emotional balance is restored and improved cognitive functioning can be achieved. With regular practice, EEG neurofeedback can help improve overall well-being and mental health.

What Does Neurotherapy Help With?

Research suggests that neurotherapy can be an effective alternative or complement to other forms of treatment such as medications and psychotherapy.

It has been used to successfully treat a variety of conditions, including depression, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sleep disorders.

Neurotherapy can also help with pain management and improving mental clarity and cognitive performance, plus it has shown promising results in helping people manage their stress levels and improve sleep quality.

In addition, neurotherapy can be used to help people who struggle with self-esteem issues or social anxiety by teaching them relaxation techniques and helping them identify negative thought patterns so they can replace them with more positive ones.

Aside from being used as a treatment for mental health issues, EEG neurofeedback is also being explored as a tool for enhancing sports performance.

Athletes have been known to use the technique to improve their reaction time, focus, and concentration levels during competition. Furthermore, it can help them reduce muscle tension and fatigue so they are better able to perform in peak physical condition.

By providing real-time feedback on body functions such as heart rate variability (HRV), breath rate, and muscular activity, neurotherapy can potentially offer athletes an edge over their opponents.

How Neurotherapy Works

Neurotherapy is based on the idea that our brains are constantly changing in response to our environment and experiences. This means that our brains can be “rewired” or “reset” through specific therapies that focus on altering thought patterns or behaviors.

To do this, neurotherapy uses brainwave technology (also known as EEG) to help us identify areas of the brain that are functioning abnormally so we can provide tailored treatment plans for our clients.

During a neurotherapy session, electrodes are placed on the patient’s scalp and connected to an EEG machine that measures the brain’s electrical activity. The therapy is conducted by a skilled practitioner who uses this data to provide feedback, which can be used as a tool for therapeutic change. This feedback might include visual or auditory cues or it could involve altered breathing patterns.

Neurotherapy is typically done over multiple sessions, with each one lasting around 30 minutes. With consistent practice, patients can learn to control their own brainwave activity which can lead to improved mental and emotional well-being.

By providing the brain with real-time feedback and physical stimulation about its activity in key areas, neurofeedback can help to strengthen neuronal circuits and build new networks that can promote neuron growth. This process works to reduce the symptoms associated with these neurological issues and leads to a better quality of life for those affected by them.

Is Neurotherapy Painful?

As we discussed in the prior section, it’s a non-invasive procedure that involves using electrodes connected to the skin at various areas of the head. These electrodes measure brainwave activity and provide feedback in real time as to when certain activities need to be increased or decreased.

No, neurofeedback is not painful. In fact, it can be quite relaxing and calming for patients.

The stimulation from these electrodes is so subtle that most people find it calming, though some may feel a slight pressure on the scalp or other areas of their body during the session.

Ultimately, though, this therapy should never cause pain or discomfort.

What Is The Success Rate Of Neurotherapy?

The success rate of neurotherapy varies depending on the individual and their condition.

Generally speaking, studies have reported that as many as 80% of patients who use neurotherapy experience significant improvement in their condition after just a few sessions.

The majority of individuals with pretreatment symptoms of anxiety (82.8%) or depression (81.1%) experienced ASEBA improvements of clinical importance. There were also significant changes in EEG, breathing rate, and HRV. For the 16 individuals copresenting with hypertension, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly reduced.

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Additionally, many individuals report improved sleep quality, enhanced concentration, and increased relaxation after undergoing the therapy

Typically, these improvements tend to last up to six months or longer without requiring further treatments.

Of course, each person’s experience will vary and there is no guarantee that neurotherapy will help everyone.

One of the main factors influencing the success rate of neurotherapy is how well it is tailored to an individual’s needs and underlying condition. Since it works by changing the brain’s response to certain triggers, this requires a precise understanding of a patient’s particular triggers, such as current thoughts or past experiences.

Consequently, obtaining an accurate medical history from each patient prior to starting treatment is essential for success. Additionally, since everybody responds differently to therapy sessions, a practitioner must adjust treatments accordingly as they learn more about how their patient reacts during each session.

Another factor influencing the success of neurotherapy is whether or not a patient is motivated to participate in their treatment.

The person must be willing to understand the therapeutic process and follow through with any aftercare recommendations in order for neurotherapy to have its desired effect.

Lastly, practitioners must take into account their client’s lifestyle when providing treatments. For example, if a patient works a physically demanding job that prevents them from attending regular sessions, the practitioner may adjust the frequency or length of the treatments accordingly.

Because each individual’s experience with neurotherapy may vary depending on the severity and length of their condition, it’s important to work closely with your doctor or therapist to determine if this type of treatment is right for you.

Are Neurofeedback Results Permanent?

Neurofeedback results are often long-lasting, but the degree of benefit depends on a variety of factors, such as the severity and duration of symptoms prior to treatment, the frequency and intensity of the therapy sessions, and how well the individual responds to and complies with their treatment plan.

Generally, individuals who adhere closely to their neurofeedback treatments experience more positive outcomes than those who don’t.

In addition to being generally long-lasting, some results from neurofeedback may also become permanent over time.

Studies have shown that for conditions like ADHD, people who received multiple weeks or months of neurofeedback experienced more significant improvements in cognition that lasted years after they completed their treatment.

Similarly, research has shown that children who received neurofeedback for ADHD had fewer symptoms and improved brain function years later, even without continuing their treatments.

…a recent meta-analysis that included 10 RCTs and specifically looked at long-term effects of neurofeedback, compared to active treatments (including psychostimulants) and semi-active treatments (e.g., cognitive training), found that after on average 6 months follow-up, the effects of neurofeedback were superior to semi-active control groups and no different from active treatments including methylphenidate.

Neurofeedback as a Treatment Intervention in ADHD: Current Evidence and Practice

Overall, the research on neurofeedback is promising and suggests that it can be an effective treatment for a variety of conditions.

If you’re interested in trying neurofeedback, be sure to consult with a mental health professional who is experienced in this type of treatment. It is very important to note that neurotherapy should only be done under the supervision of a qualified professional.

Final Thoughts

Neurotherapy is a powerful tool for treating mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and ADHD. By combining traditional psychotherapy with neuroscience-based techniques, neurotherapy helps individuals rewire their brains by identifying negative thought patterns or behaviors so they can replace them with healthier ones.

Contact Information And Clinic Locations

Our clinic is conveniently located, and our contact information is readily available for any inquiries you may have.

For more information about our counseling and neurotherapy services, contact us today via email or call us at 404-449-1236.