NeuroIntegration System Showing Great Promise in
Treating ADD, Insomnia and Tremors
From Alternatives Newsletter Winter 2008-2009
When part of the brain is operating at an abnormal frequency
– too fast or too slowly – problems are bound to result, according to Dr.
Patricia Ryan, founder of Alternatives: A Center for Conscious Health. Abnormal brain frequency can contribute to
issues associated with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), insomnia and
depression, and a variety of other conditions, she noted. Remarkably, researchers have discovered that
the brain can learn to normalize activity through a process called
Neurofeedback, leading to better health and alleviation of symptoms for many
who’ve suffered for years with no relief, according to Dr. Ryan.
One of Alternatives’ latest tools – the NeuroIntegration
System – works to teach the brain how to do just that – normalize
activity. “If you tell the brain what it
needs to do to be normal and reward the brain for doing that task correctly,
the brain gradually learns to do more of the normal activity and less of the
abnormal.” As the brain gets better at
the activity through regular sessions on the system, the threshold is
raised. “Eventually the brain learns so
well that the sessions are no longer needed,” Dr. Ryan said.
The system incorporates photic stimulation and music to
achieve the desired results. Here’s how
it works: First, sensors are placed on
the head of the patient and connected to a computer system, which recreates
that individual’s brain patterns for a technician to monitor and read. The patient then wears glasses that display different
colors of lights in various patterns.
These “photic” cues, which are transmitted through the glasses, can
guide the brain to the frequency it needs to learn. “Patients watch a video or listen to music
and the brain will learn what it needs to do to keep the video going,” Dr. Ryan
explained.
At least 60 different programs address various conditions
from overeating to insomnia to ADD.
Jamie Moore, RN, Neurofeedback Clinician at Alternatives, said the
machine has produced impressive results in the few months the clinic has been
using the innovative technology.
“One patient has been suffering from genetic
‘Parkinson’s-like’ tremors for most of his life,” said Moore, who has recently
joined the Alternatives staff after a career in Hyperbarics at the University
of Nebraska Medical Center. “The
patient’s goal, when he began the therapy, was to carry his own dinner plate to
the table and pour his own milk. We are
now nearing that goal,” Moore noted.
Handwriting analysis since the beginning of treatment shows a dramatic
improvement in legibility as well.
A child being treated for ADD has seen his need for
medication decrease since beginning the therapy program. “What’s more, his behavior is much better
both at home and at school,” Moore said.
Another patient with insomnia and depression has had her medication cut
in half and is now sleeping through the night.
“The results have been phenomenal,” Moore said. “And these patients have not even finished
the protocol yet,” Dr. Ryan added. “We
expect even more improvement.”
“This is just one more tool to help people who have fallen
through the cracks and may have been unable to have their problems properly
diagnosed and treated through traditional medicine,” Dr. Ryan said.
