BY GRETCHEN MORSE
MIND
Lack of sleep can be a problem Expert says neurofeedback may be able to help
M
illions of Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems, and many more will experience more short-term bouts with getting adequate rest at night. Whether it’s difficulty with falling or staying asleep, having a “busy brain” that won’t shut off, nightmares, or challenges with getting up in the morning, neurofeedback can be a powerful intervention towards finding those restful zzzz’s! The brain regulates sleep. And, because our brains and nervous systems are impacted by our genetics, emotions, injuries and other stressors, they are subject to unhealthy patterns that get entrenched over time. An example of an unhealthy pattern might be too much high frequency activity in the back of the brain. This can be considered “over arousal” and would likely keep someone awake at night, or manifest in some other sleep and/or stress-related issue. So, neurofeedback can be used
to measure the frequencies throughout the brain, and look for unhealthy patterns. Then, during short office sessions, the neurofeedback can help a person learn to produce better patterns as it measures and provides sound or visual feedback when the person is naturally making more desired brainwave patterns. This coaxes the brain over time to maintain these healthier patterns for long-term benefit and symptom relief. It is safe, painless, and fun. Neurofeedback clinicians around the world note that sleep is often one of the first things to resolve, even when clients seek this therapy for other symptoms, like stress, pain, or attention issues. Bedwetting, sleeping too long, and restlessness are other sleep-related issues that have been helped by neurofeedback. Restful sleep is so important for its restorative purposes, and for giving
us optimal function and energy in our busy lives. Professionals have been using neurofeedback for over 30 years to improve sleep-related issues, and it is an excellent alternative to medicines, or for those who have not found relief elsewhere. A nice benefit to the process is that often other symptoms may improve, as well! So, if you’re struggling with getting a good night’s sleep, think outside the bunks! Give neurofeedback a try!
Gretchen Morse, DMA, is Board Certified in Neurofeedback and serves on the Board of the Midwest Society for Behavioral Medicine and Biofeedback. For information, call her at 517/290-4965, visit her website at www.mmneuro.com , or “Like” Mid-Michigan Neurofeedback on Facebook.
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