What does a typical neurofeedback session look like?
Our brains are so amazing. If you scrape your elbow, your central nervous system automatically detects a change and jumps into action to heal it. The reality is that we still do not know exactly how.
If you have not heard of neurofeedback before it is because Western medicine cannot fully explain it. There is a push back from the mainstream medical world that is focused on evidence-based practice. Research studies are being conducted with promising results. Throughout history there have been medical practices and beliefs that were initially discarded. Todays standard of care was yesterdays experimental treatment. Practices such as antiseptic handwashing in a medical setting and using infant incubators for premature babies were ridiculed. People did not believe that ulcers were caused by bacteria, germs caused disease and you can get a traumatic brain injury from playing sports.
The awareness of neurofeedback is on the rise. People are looking for alternative treatments that do not include drugs with multiple side effects. We are all working to reduce the stigma of mental health struggles and help each other get the support that we need.
IASIS MCN is not a treatment or therapy for any particular illness. What it does is optimize brain function. It does not change your personality. It improves your focus and mental resilience. It decreases anxiety and improves sleep.
A typical neurofeedback session will begin with a conversation about your struggles and goals. You will be given the opportunity to get answers to all the questions you have. Your forehead, temples and back of neck will be cleaned with a gentle agent. The IASIS MCN device has two active electrodes, two reference electrodes and one electrode for grounding. The reference and ground electrodes will be placed on your head and neck and stay in the same place throughout the session. The two active electrodes will be moved to 3 different sites on your head. The electrodes are held in place by a water-soluble paste. On the first session, each site will receive 3 bouts of stimulation for 20 seconds each. Future sessions will be based on the results of the 24-hour check-in after your first session.
Are there any risks? Occasionally, people will experience a headache, sensitivity to light or sound or irritability after a session. These symptoms usually resolve within 24 hours. The central nervous system is complex. Even if you feel a “negative” symptom after the first session it is a positive result because it shows us that something has shifted in your brain. Honest communication with your IASIS provider is key.
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