What is Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is a safe, non-invasive  training method in which the brain learns how to better self-regulate. There are different types of neurofeedback of which we find infra low frequency neurofeedback (Othmer method) to be the most effective. 

Infra low frequency neurofeedback is a symptom based training. This means you do not need a name of a disorder or a formal diagnosis to start it. Disorder-related symptoms (e.g., symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, addictions or autism etc) are greatly reduced or resolved leading to improved functioning in everyday life. It trains and improves self-regulation of arousal level which has a great impact on a lot of our emotions and behaviour. 

ILF neurofeedback addresses any symptoms of brain dysregulation, which includes symptoms resulting from traumatic experiences in childhood or later in life and those related to the following disorders (regardless of having a formal diagnosis or not): anxiety, depression, sleep problems, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, migraines, ADHD, autistic spectrum disorder, emotional and behavioural problems, addictions, eating disorders, OCD.

· Neurofeedback is very effective on its own, but it also works very well with any other therapeutic method: it opens people up to be able to benefit from other interventions. It works at physiological level first, building foundations for psychological change. Some people live in constant over-arousal (fight, flight, freeze) and are not able to benefit from e.g. talk therapies, meditation, mindfulness. Sitting still terrifies them or makes them even more anxious. Neurofeedback quietens the nervous system and racing thoughts, releases tension and makes you feel safer in your body. Consequently, it makes your body and mind more accessible to other techniques – yoga, mindfulness, talk therapy or any intervention you choose to move on to, alongside or after neurofeedback training.

· People taking regular medications can do neurofeedback. It may lead to the need to reduce the dose of regular drugs or can sometimes become an alternative to drugs. A lot of the time, people taking regular medications notice that the effects wear off as soon as they stop taking them. However, neurofeedback builds on the neuroplasticity of the brain, it changes dysregulated firing patterns and the brain creates new neural pathways. This means the effects continue after finishing neurofeedback training.

· As the process is unconscious and there is no pressure to ‘perform’, it is a very useful approach for people with learning disabilities and young children.

· Adults react to infra low frequency neurofeedback in a similar way as children do - latest research on neuroplasticity proves that aging does not stop the brain’s ability to learn. 

· It requires a high level of commitment on the part of the client: this is a very symptom-and-client-centred approach and the course of the training is largely guided by their reporting of any changes in their symptoms, both positive and negative. In the case of children or people with learning difficulties, their parents/carers can serve as reporters.

To help illustrate how ILF Neurofeedback works, it can be compared to dancers using mirrors to check their body posture. The reflection in the mirror gives them feedback and subsequently, the dancers can adjust their posture and movements.
The brain can’t directly see its own activity, so in order to give it feedback on its performance, the signal is processed via the computer programme and then it is presented to the brain in the form of a video or a game. We just attach a few sensors to your head and they register the brain activity from these places. You simply watch an animation or a video of your choice, while the brightness, colour intensity, screen size and volume change on the screen.
This way, the feedback signals reflect the brain’s activity like a mirror and the brain uses this information for better self-regulation. The brain is subconsciously relating to the observed images and sounds and working to influence it. As a result, it looks for ways to improve its functioning and corrects its own activity: it becomes more stable, flexible and able to cope with adverse experiences in a healthier way. It is a non-invasive method, so nothing is fed to the brain.
Just like with any other skill, the rule is that the more something new is practised, the more it becomes integrated and happens automatically.