Neurotherapy

Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (pEMF)

Transcranial direct/alternating and random noise stimulation (tDCS/tACS/tRNS)

Heart Rate Variability Assessment & Training

Neurofeedback

Neurotherapy

Neurotherapy is a comparatively new and emerging treatment modality that is currently applied to a wide variety of disorders. As used for such conditions as substance addictions, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), neurotherapy has a reasonably good research basis for clinical application.

Neurotherapy builds off of the well-established foundations of electroencephalography, invented by Hans Berger in 1924. Since then, brain waves have been studied in great detail. They are commonly measured in Hertz (Hz), or cycles per second – i.e., a measure of frequency. Different frequencies are associated with different neurological functions, states of consciousness, and even with different areas of the brain. From slower to faster brain waves, the following frequency bands have been described:

Delta (1-4Hz) Theta (4-8Hz) Alpha (8-12Hz) Beta (12-30Hz) Gamma (30-100Hz)

After you have completed a QEEG or “brain map,” a feedback session will be arranged with you to review the information and discuss treatment recommendations. Your specific treatment protocol could include any of the following:

This type of neurostimulation introduces very low intensity magnetic energy into the brain. Increasing research shows that the brain tends to mimic what it is presented. So, for example, if a person is low in a particular brainwave frequency, that frequency of energy can be presented to the brain in order to optimize health and functioning.

This type of neurostimulation introduces low-intensity electrical energy into the brain, between an anode and a cathode. The energy can be in the form of direct current (DCS), alternating current (ACS), or random noise (RNS). Each form of stimulation is best suited to achieving specific results. Most people report feeling this stimulation for a few minutes before the sensory receptors in the skin habituate to the sensation. At most, the sensation is described as similar to the feeling from the flicking of the thumb and forefinger against the skin.

This is a form of biofeedback used to train self-regulation of the autonomic (or unconsciously-controlled) nervous system. The variation between heart beats and breath rate is measured with the goal of decreasing heart rate and improving breath coherence, where the cardiovascular system is working in an efficient manner.

Sometimes called EEG-guided biofeedback, neurofeedback refers to the use of principles of operant conditioning in order to alter brain wave activity. When the goal brain wave activity is spontaneously produced, the client is given real-time feedback to reinforce the target activity.

In practice, one or more sensors are placed on the client’s scalp. Brain wave information is then transferred into a computer system which includes an amplifier and specialized software. An individual client’s training protocol is loaded into the software, and the system works to track and provide feedback to the client during a neurofeedback, or “training,” session. This entire process is conducted and monitored by a trained technician. Most often, a client watches a movie for their training. When the target brain wave activity is achieved, the movie will play normally, in full colour, sound, brightness, etc. and when it is not the movie fades in colour, sound, etc. We humans like our rewards and as such the brain learns quickly how to achieve the target brain wave activity. The technician ensures that the threshold for the client receiving awards is appropriate, and the threshold is increased over time as the brain learns and more easily produces the goal activity.