The Neurotherapy Clinic Victoria

Yarra Ranges Counselling

Neurofeedback & Neuromodulation

Various types of neurofeedback & neuromodulation (Neurotherapy) have been developed not because one is superior to the others, but due to differing schools of thought on the workings of neurotherapy and efforts to improve clients’ experiences with it. While some clients respond well to one type of therapy, others may respond better to another.

As a client, it is essential to understand the differences between these types of neurotherapies. Therefore, we will make every effort to help and inform you. It is recommended that neurotherapy is administered onsite or, in the case of home training, supervised by a qualified health practitioner with a sound background in neuroanatomy and physiology.

Neurofeedback and neuromodulation can be used as standalone therapies or combined, depending on the client’s needs.

Neurotherapy can help reduce symptoms associated with a number of disorders such as

  • Anxiety, Depression and other Mental Health Disorders
  • Age related cognitive decline
  • Autism, ADHD/ADD, ODD
  • Chronic Pain; Illness & Disabilities; Headaches/Migraines
  • Concussion/ head injury
  • Insomnia & Other Sleep Disturbances
  • Seizure Spectrum Disorders
  • Trauma PTSD
  • Performance & poor concentration or focus
It is crucial to check the qualifications of a neurotherapy practitioner before engaging their services. For more details see my article on what to ask your practitioner.

 

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Neuromodulation - (Neurostimulation, pEMF, photobiomodulation)

Neuromodulation is defined by the alteration of the functioning of the brain through chemical, mechanical, or electrical means.

  • Chemical neuromodulation occurs in everyday life – with the foods we eat, and the medications or supplements we consume.
  • Mechanical neuromodulation is most commonly associated with the use of magnetic fields such as TMS or pEMF, but can also include light based modalities such as photobiomodulation (PBM).
  • Electrical neuromodulation is often called neurostimulation, and and can be in the form of direct current (tDCS) or alternating current (tACS) as well as vagal nerve stimulation or even ECT.

This clinic provides mechanical and electrical neuromodulation through pEMF, PBM, and/or neurostimulation using the NeuroField system.
Neuromodulation combines various techniques  to retrain pathological patterns of brainwave activity based on the presenting problem. Neurostimulation includes pulsed magnetic field stimulation (pEMF), transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS), and transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (tRNS). The electrical stimulation is delivered at a range of 0.01mA to 2.5mA, well below the identified safe limit of 4.0mA or the amount provided for ECT which is 800-900mA.

It is vital that a QEEG assessment and full history is undertaken before receiving any neuromodulation to ensure the correct frequencies and regions are being trained for improvement, and not disrupting efficient patterns.

Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback has an extensive history of practice, and over time has developed different schools of training, or mechanisms of action. 

The core concept is the feedback loop – information is recorded form the individuals scalp relating to the functioning of the brain, this is interpreted by a software program, which applies a protocol designated by the practitioner, and delivers the feedback. This feedback is most commonly seen as a visual and auditory reward – a video or game which progresses as the person function in the desired ranges. This reward is removed when they begin functioning outside the desired ranges – either the image and sound become distorted or the game slows and a tone sounds. The person observes this, processes it and makes a change to bring the reward back – training their brain to respond.

This feedback is delivered back to the brain in real-time, guiding the brain towards adjustments that help regulate the central nervous system and improve performance. This classic type of neurofeedback is effective, but requires frequent sessions, much like regular gym training.

Alternate forms of feedback include tactile (vibration) or small electromagnetic pulses delivered directly to the scalp (LENS). This form of neurofeedback tends to require fewer sessions, and this is believed to be due to the direct nature of the feedback rather than it needing to be processed by the client.

Types of Neurofeedback:

Other Therapies: