neurofeedback

Learn to relax the mind and increase resilient and flexible brain functioning through neurofeedback, also known as EEG Biofeedback.  A more resilient brain typically helps a person to live in a relaxed, but alert state without being swamped by agitation, malaise, nervousness, or a foggy, distractible, and ruminating mind.  Resiliency helps one cope better with emotional storms, physical pain, sleep impairment, learning challenges, and the demands of living.  One can face life’s demands without being knocked off center.  One can live more fully and comfortably within one’s own skin and be more effective in living.  One can become more cool under pressure, concentrate better in the midst of distraction, change one’s plans to fit the occasion, and problem solve better under difficult circumstances.   

Worry is one example of a condition, which can throw off the central nervous system and lead to its exhaustion.  Remember the "fight or flight response".    In the case of worry, the nervous system gets engaged in multiple "false alarms", setting off the body's activating fight or flight response.  The brain orients to environmental changes and overreacts to them as if they were life threatening.  

This can trigger a non-productive or "stuck" EEG pattern, which wastes energy and leads to exhaustion.  People can also get overloaded by trauma or an accumulation of too many life demands.  The CNS can also get stuck in inefficient patterns by genetic predisposition, or by becoming sensitized or worn down by physical pain, sleep deprivation, poor nutrition, injury, alcohol/drugs, and medications.  

Dr. Mooney uses the NeurOptimal TM neurofeedback system.  NeurOptimal neurofeedback provides ongoing moment by moment monitoring of the ebb and flow of electrical activity of the Central Nervous System across a wide range of electrical frequencies.   The brain’s electrical activity is monitored and communicated back to CNS in real time to improve its own functioning. 

By doing so, the CNS learns to regulate its electrical activity in an efficient manner, expending energy as needed depending on the demands of the environment and the internal needs of its system.  Neurofeedback takes advantage of the brain’s built in capacity to monitor and orient to change, recognize patterns, and regulate its own functioning. 

In NeurOptimal  TM neurofeedback, a person sits comfortably in a chair.  Sensors are connected to the scalp with water-soluble paste.   They "read" the electrical output of the brain through EEG technology.  No electrical stimulation is applied to the brain. Brain wave activity is transmitted to a computer-based neurofeeback program.  

While hooked up, the person listens to music, which links to the output of EEG.  The music interrupts when the brain wave activity becomes less stable or more turbulent.Through the interruption of the music, the brain begins to recognize its own pattern of instability, which if unnoticed might otherwise maintain or further evolve problematic physical, emotional, and neurological symptoms.  

The brain learns to adapt to and store this information about efficient self-regulation.  Over time, the CNS learns to settle down (relaxation response) and operate with greater efficiency and effectiveness.

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