Neurofeedback
Program
Neurofeedback begins with a qEEG brain scan to assess your brainwave activity. This non-invasive scan helps our doctors identify any areas of abnormal brainwave patterns.
Healthier brain
a healthier you
Neurofeedback begins with a qEEG brain scan to identify areas of abnormal brainwave activity. This non-invasive procedure provides valuable information for personalized neurofeedback training. During neurofeedback, you receive auditory or visual feedback that rewards healthy brainwave patterns. This process helps the brain learn to self-regulate, improving focus, reducing anxiety, and enhancing overall brain function.
Helped with a concussion I had back in 2018 that persisted for years. Conventional concussion treatment I received at Kaiser was outdated and ineffective. Dr. Minh and Dr. Joey were my last-ditch effort at being able to treat my issue. After months of trying to go at it alone I still had frequent symptoms and had to put halts on many facets of my life. After a short few months at NorCal Brain Center I can say I’m pretty much 100% after previously believing that 70% would take many years.
The Science of Brainwaves
The cells in our brain, or neurons, talk to each other via electrical impulses. When a lot of neurons are communicating with each other, they create a brain wave that can be seen on the qEEG.
At all points of time in our lives, we have constant brainwaves that fluctuate depending on what we’re doing and how we’re feeling. We can measure these brainwaves to determine which waves are underactive or overactive.
Conditions and Brainwaves
Many conditions, such as anxiety or depression, have a signature brainwave to them. For example, anxiety is characterized as increased beta and hibeta waves in the brain. Depression is usually seen as alpha asymmetry in the frontal lobes. We can use these typical signatures and compare them to your brainwaves to determine if you have characteristics of these conditions. Once found, we can then use neurofeedback to help regulate these abnormal brainwaves, therefore decreasing symptoms of the condition.
Why Our Neurofeedback is Different
We are proud to say that we are one of the few clinics in the world that use swLORETA Neurofeedback training. swLORETA (standardized weighted low resolution electromagnetic tomography) is a new, accurate way of assessing the overall health and connectivity of the brain. Traditionally surface electrode Neurofeedback is most commonly used by clinicians, allowing training of the surface of the brain. However, with swLORETA we can train deep neural networks of the brain that were previously not possible, such as the limbic system, default mode network, salience network.
Recent research is showing that this specific, deep training is much more effective than surface Neurofeedback training, allowing patients to feel better in a quicker amount of time. swLORETA Neurofeedback training may succeed where traditional Neurofeedback may have reached a plateau in progress with some patients. We have seen tremendous results with patients suffering from a wide array of symptoms, such as traumatic brain injury, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and more.
Shown here is an actual representation of the connections in a patient’s brain.
The blue lines represent pathological communication within the brain that can be targeted and normalized, improving brain function.
What to Expect
Measure
Using a cap full of sensors, we can measure and record the brainwaves in your entire head. With this information, we have an entire map of the brain that shows us which areas of the brain are firing properly and which are not.
Training
With the brain map, we can begin training the abnormal areas of the brain. Our goal is to train the brain to self regulate and normalize.
Results
The brain needs time and practice to change. Neurofeedback takes time to see results, because these abnormal patterns have usually been present for a long time. Patients typically notice changes after 15 sessions but continue with more to further improve the results.
What does the actual treatment consist of?
Sit back, relax, and pay attention to whatever is playing (most of our patients watch Netflix or listen to music). While you are relaxing, your brain waves are being read and analyzed. As your brain self regulates, you will get rewarded by seeing or listening to the media clearly. If your brain is not doing the desired task, then the media will dim or stop playing.
Over time, your brain will make the connection that if the brain waves start normalizing, it will get rewarded by having a clear video or music. With consecutive sessions the brain becomes even more familiarized and over time we see a general improvement in the brain waves.
Neurofeedback is effective for symptoms like:
ADHD
Anxiety
Concussions
Sleep Disorders
Depression
Cognitive Impairment
Migraines
Mood Disorders
View our treatments and book your free 30 minute in-person consult with one of our patient care coordinators.
