Brainwave entrainment is a method to stimulate the brain into entering a specific state by using a pulsing sound, light, or electromagnetic field. The pulses elicit the brain’s ‘frequency following’ response, encouraging the brainwaves to align to the frequency of a given beat.
alpha mode | brainwave synchronizer
Biofeedback studies have shown that Fibromyalgia patients who received treatments had fewer tender points, lower pain intensity and morning stiffness. Biofeedback is a technique in which patients are trained to improve their health by learning to control certain internal bodily processes such as muscle tension causing pain, blood pressure, or anxiety. It is a basic way of learning self-control tools that will be used throughout life. Recent biofeedback developments now provide a tool for improving functioning of the central nervous system.
Biofeedback is non-invasive and painless. It can expose the sources of physical pain, like headache or back pain, and gives us the information we need to reduce or eliminate the pain. It can help people with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue by eliminating pain and improving energy.
The most frequently used types of biofeedback therapy: Electromyography (EMG) – measures muscle tension, Thermal biofeedback – measures skin temperature, and Neurofeedback or electroencephalography (EEG) – measures brain wave activity.
During a biofeedback session electrodes are attached to the skin. The electrodes feed information into devices that measure one’s internal involuntary responses. The patient is then given mental exercises by the practitioner. This allows the mental activities that cause the physiologic responses to be identified, which make it possible to teach the patient how to gain control over them. When a person has learned how to control his/her symptoms, the feedback displays the positive changes.
Biofeedback has been proven to be an effective therapy for many conditions. It is primarily used to treat high blood pressure, chronic pain, tension headache, migraine headache, and urinary incontinence. Studies have shown that most patients who respond best from biofeedback have conditions that are brought on by or made worse by stress. This would imply that relaxation is the most important factor for success.
The FM treatment using electro-encephalogram (EEG) is based on the research of Mary Lee Esty, Ph.D.; Stuart Donaldson, Ph.D.; and Len Ochs, Ph.D. Technology is used to detect and treat brain dysfunction that has been caused by a mild traumatic brain injury such as in an automobile accident. Patients first have a brain mapping performed to identify areas of the brain which have been injured and are functioning abnormally in terms of brain-wave activity. Electrical activity produced by the brain reflects a person’s level of functioning and can be monitored by EEG. A condition known as “EEG slowing” is present in people who have suffered damage to the brain and nervous system as a result of trauma and go on to develop Fibromyalgia or other chronic conditions.
The Flexyx Neurotherapy System (FNS) is both a brainwave biofeedback and treatment system, as well as an evaluation system. It is for patients with central nervous system dysfunctions, cognitive dysfunction (memory, etc.), mood disorders, low energy, movement difficulties, trouble with balance, and pain problems. FNS is an advanced form of biofeedback which, returns a feedback signal to the patient connected to the EEG. This form of EEG uses electrodes connected to the skin. Researchers have found that FM patients concentrate better when they close their eyes, which lessens sensory stimulation.
Flexyx Neurofeedback System is also non-invasive and painless. The patient sits in a comfortable chair and wears dark glasses that generate feedback. The patient need only relax. The treatment measures brain waves, and directs the brain waves back to the person as a reflection (mirrored). FNS resets the natural, self-regulation skills we are unaware of in our brain and nervous system so they can function normally. This makes it possible to implement the best treatment plan.
After the treatments are completed, surface Electromyography (sEMG) therapy is usually conducted to help retrain muscles, and Myofascial Release Therapy is used to restore proper muscle balance, obtain optimum posture, and address other neuromuscular problems. There may be other treatment options discussed and utilized depending on the findings and your therapist.
The hope is to help chronic pain sufferers develop greater awareness and deliberate control over the physiological processes that are outside conscious awareness.
Brainwave entrainment is a method to stimulate the brain into entering a specific state by using a pulsing sound, light, or electromagnetic field. The pulses elicit the brain? ?requency following?response, encouraging the brainwaves to align to the frequency of a given beat.
This ?requency following?response of brainwave entrainment can be seen in action with those prone to epilepsy. If a strobe flashes at their seizure frequency, the brain will ?ntrain?to the flashing light, resulting in a seizure.
On the positive side, this same mechanism is commonly used to induce many brainwave states; such as a trance, enhanced focus, relaxation, meditation or sleep induction. The brainwave entrainment effectively pushes the entire brain into a certain state.
Brainwave entrainment works for almost everyone. It is a great way to lead your mind into states that you might usually have difficulty reaching, allowing you to experience what those states feel like.
THE HYPE
There is a lot of marketing hype around brainwave entrainment. It is sold with promises of increasing IQ, promoting weight loss, ?ind-tripping? enhancing creativity, concentration, inducing spiritual states and more.
While these claims are not entirely true, they are not altogether false either. In practice, the claims are based on an overly-simplistic view of how the brain and the brainwaves function.
THE RUB
People are very seldom deficient in a certain brainwave type in all areas of their brain. Usually the distribution is much spottier, with an excess in one area and a deficiency in another.
We are all different, especially when it comes to the distribution of our brainwaves. Boosting a certain brainwave state may be beneficial for one person, and emotionally uncomfortable for another. Without knowing each person? starting position, entrainment can be rather ?it and miss?
If brainwave entrainment leaves you with unwanted side-effects (see below) or discomfort, you?e probably encouraging a range of brainwaves that are already excessive in some area of your brain. The way around this is to get a brain map to see what your brain? strengths and weaknesses are, and see what (if any) brainwaves could use some encouragement.