A: BrainAdvantage takes a new, highly integrated neurotherapy approach to helping those with brain issues improve their thinking, memory, focus and attention. We combine proven, gentle technologies with traditional caring to let clients and patients take command of their own improvement. We help patients improve from the inside out.
Using our complementary and alternative techniques, clients improve or recover their brain functions without invasive procedures or pharmaceuticals. At the same time, we partner with other members of the medical and professional communities to ensure that we are focusing on those areas we can help and securing professional care in those areas where we can't.
Who can benefit from BrainAdvantage?
Our techniques can benefit anyone who wants better cognitive functioning, attention, focus, memory, peak performance, self-esteem, and less stress in their daily lives.
How does BrainAdvantage work?
BrainAdvantage technologies provide you with more information about what your body is doing than your ordinary senses can provide. This "feedback" helps you learn to develop greater control over your brain.
Training is individualized based on the results of a comprehensive battery of tests and screenings for cognitive abilities, memory, peak performance and balance and motor skills.
Training is individualized based on the results of a comprehensive battery of tests and screenings for cognitive abilities, memory, peak performance and balance and motor skills.
What technologies are used at BrainAdvantage?
A.: We combine these effective technologies in our integrated system:
- Neurofeedback using our patented hemoencephalographic equipment that measures brain activity with light for faster results;
- Computer-assisted screening and testing for focus and attention issues, mental declines due to aging, working memory problems, visual system processing deficits and cognitive performance problems;
- Custom audio-visual entrainment to help the brain recover its natural rhythms;
- Computer-assisted cognitive and memory training to enhance and measure working and long-term memory and cognition and improve fluid memory;
- Music-based auditory stimulation to correct hearing and auditory processing problems using bone-conduction where indicated; and
Neuro-motor assessment and - training to improve the neurological processes of motor planning and sequencing.
What will BrainAdvantage technologies do to me? Will I feel anything?
All BrainAdvantage technologies are non-invasive. Unlike medications, nothing is going into your body; they are training techniques that help your brain properly regulate itself.
What Results Are Expected from BrainAdvantage Training?
Through changes in brain activity, reductions in memory loss, attention and focus symptoms are expected to occur. Individuals who have used BrainAdvantage techniques have also reported improvements in cognitive skills, social relationships, and self-esteem, as well as reduction in irritability and oppositional behavior. BrainAdvantage practitioners use ongoing assessment instruments to determine whether training is working effectively or if changes in training protocols are needed.
What Are the Potential Side-Effects of BrainAdvantage Training?
Unlike the use of medications for treating ADD/ADHD, our training techniques rarely produce negative side-effects. In fact, lack of side-effects is a major reason for the use of these techniques.
While you should not experience negative side-effects, you may experience additional benefits. Some individuals report increased relaxation, reduced stress, and a heightened sense of control over their bodies, thoughts, and feelings during or immediately after treatment sessions. A very, very small minority of individuals have reported brief periods of negative feelings (e.g., anxiety, or frustration) or negative physical sensations (e.g., fatigue, dizziness, tingling sensations) while undergoing treatment. These negative side-effects are very rare and usually last for only a short period of time.
Individuals should be aware that some BrainAdvanatge technologies can have a significant effect on seizure activity for those with seizure disorders. This effect, however, can be positive (i.e., a reduction in seizures). However, prior notice of any seizure disorders is required so we may adjust training protocols.
Some families experience a disruption in family roles and relationships after the family member who has received training improves.
The problem behaviors of the family member with attention, focus or memory problems may have masked other family problems that come into the spotlight once the symptoms are reduced. The anxiety levels of family members may increase, because they have been used to focusing on one problem and now must focus on a new one. For this reason, family plans are available to include all family members in this process.
Always let BrainAdvantage practitioners know immediately if you feel any changes.
Longer Lasting Reactions:
You may experience a one- or two-week period of increased emotion such as anger, fear, or irritability. Or you may feel as if you have tremendous energy to do things, or feel very tired.
These increases in sensations and awareness of emotions are due to the limbic cortical loop and neurological pathways reorganizing. You are encouraged to report any and all changes you or your child may be experiences.
We also ask that you inform us of any medications you use while you participate, and are not to change your medications without first informing your physician or therapist.
While you should not experience negative side-effects, you may experience additional benefits. Some individuals report increased relaxation, reduced stress, and a heightened sense of control over their bodies, thoughts, and feelings during or immediately after treatment sessions. A very, very small minority of individuals have reported brief periods of negative feelings (e.g., anxiety, or frustration) or negative physical sensations (e.g., fatigue, dizziness, tingling sensations) while undergoing treatment. These negative side-effects are very rare and usually last for only a short period of time.
Individuals should be aware that some BrainAdvanatge technologies can have a significant effect on seizure activity for those with seizure disorders. This effect, however, can be positive (i.e., a reduction in seizures). However, prior notice of any seizure disorders is required so we may adjust training protocols.
Some families experience a disruption in family roles and relationships after the family member who has received training improves.
The problem behaviors of the family member with attention, focus or memory problems may have masked other family problems that come into the spotlight once the symptoms are reduced. The anxiety levels of family members may increase, because they have been used to focusing on one problem and now must focus on a new one. For this reason, family plans are available to include all family members in this process.
Always let BrainAdvantage practitioners know immediately if you feel any changes.
Longer Lasting Reactions:
You may experience a one- or two-week period of increased emotion such as anger, fear, or irritability. Or you may feel as if you have tremendous energy to do things, or feel very tired.
These increases in sensations and awareness of emotions are due to the limbic cortical loop and neurological pathways reorganizing. You are encouraged to report any and all changes you or your child may be experiences.
We also ask that you inform us of any medications you use while you participate, and are not to change your medications without first informing your physician or therapist.
How Long Will the Training Take?
During your training, you or your family member will be learning to change and control brainwave patterns. This learning process takes time. The length of training can be as short as 4 weeks; however, sessions may vary with client symptoms. Clients will be asked to participate in adequate sessions to ensure the best possible outcome.
How Frequently Will Training Sessions Occur?
The number of training sessions per week varies upon an individual's schedule and needs. We can accomodate an intense schedule of 6 days a week for those who have time issues or are from out of the area. Normally we like our patients to come at least 3 days a week to keep up the momentum of gains. For those who wish to come less than three days a week, it is important to know that it takes longer before results are apparent. Some clients may choose to use "at-home" technologies as an adjunct when spreading the program out or going on vacation in the middle of treatment.
Who Will Provide My Training?
All BrainAdvantage staff, clinicans and technicians are all certified and licensed. Under the About Us section look for Our Founders and Associates & Board Advisors for more information on the people of BrainAdvantage.
How Do My Family Member(s) or I Begin?
Call us today for a free 15-minute consultation to see what we can do for you.
Use of BrainAdvantage Training and Medication
| Patients and/or their parents commonly ask if our training can be used along with medications already prescribed for symptoms. Generally, the answer is yes. However, over the course of treatment, individuals using medications may be able to reduce or terminate the use of these medications while maintaining control over their symptoms and disruptive behaviors. However, any changes in medications must be discussed with the prescribing physician. The physician and family together can decide whether a reduction in medications is appropriate. |
What is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback helps a person learn how to modify brainwave activity to improve attention, reduce impulsivity, and to control hyperactive behaviors. It is a painless, non-invasive treatment approach that allows the individual to gain information about his or her brain activity and use that information to produce permanent changes in how the brain functions.
Case studies and peer-reviewed articles have provided ample documentation of the effectiveness of neurofeedback training on attention and focus issues as well as age-related cognitive decline and more. Please see our Research and Links pages for more information.
Case studies and peer-reviewed articles have provided ample documentation of the effectiveness of neurofeedback training on attention and focus issues as well as age-related cognitive decline and more. Please see our Research and Links pages for more information.
What is HEG Neurofeedback?
HEG is our patented method of teaching self- control over brain activity using functional near-infrared (fNIR) imaging that indirectly measures neural activity in the brain based on the color of relative amounts of oxygenated and un-oxygenated blood. Since oxygenated blood is red and un-oxygenated blood is purple, HEG measures the difference in color by light reflected back through the scalp detecting changes in levels of cerebral activity.
HEG neurofeedback provides permanent change in roughly half the time of traditional EEG neurofeedback without the mess and time of using sticky EEG electrodes. For more information see our Research and Links pages.
HEG neurofeedback provides permanent change in roughly half the time of traditional EEG neurofeedback without the mess and time of using sticky EEG electrodes. For more information see our Research and Links pages.
What is the Difference between Biofeedback and Neurofeedback?
Biofeedback is a process for monitoring a body function (such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature) and learning to regulate the function through relaxation or imagery. It operates on the principle of operant conditioning and makes it possible to reverse the habitual patterns created by stress. Neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback and a technique designed to teach people self-control over their brain activity.
What is Audio/Visual Entrainment?
Audio-Visual Entrainment (AVE) technology resets your brain's natural "balance-point" by driving your brainwaves with rhythmical or binaural beats and pulsating light sources in an extremely effective, non-invasive method. This has a synergistic effect, compounding the training benefits.
What is Music-based Auditory Stimulation?
Music-based auditory stimulation is a non-invasive technique that uses filtered music to stimulate the vestibular and auditory systems to maximize auditory processing and vestibular functions of balance and motor control.
Humans hear when energy that we recognize as sound travels through the ear and is changed into electrical information that can be interpreted by the brain. Auditory processing happens when your brain recognizes and interprets the sounds you hear and makes sense of them.
Humans hear when energy that we recognize as sound travels through the ear and is changed into electrical information that can be interpreted by the brain. Auditory processing happens when your brain recognizes and interprets the sounds you hear and makes sense of them.
What Is the Cost of BrainAdvantage Assessment and Training?
Our fees are well below customary and standard charges for this area compared to providers and practitioner's with similar or same credentials and levels of experience. We stand by our individual and combined credentials, qualifications and experience, as well as the value we are able to provide to our clients.For actual charges and list of services, see our Fee Schedule page.
Will My Insurance Company Cover the Costs of Training for ADD/ADHD?
Our training techniques are still considered to be relatively new, even though some have been in use for more than 30 years. For Patients: Insurance coverage for "biofeedback" is often available from health insurers but the plans vary widely.
See our Health Insurance Info page for more information.
See our Health Insurance Info page for more information.
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