We’re getting a lot of interest in our articles on the brain and neurofeedback, and how it relates to chiropractic. Thanks to everyone for the great questions. We are posting the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) here for everyone to read and to learn. Please keep the feedback coming!
-Dr. Terry Rondberg
How are Neurofeedback and Chiropractic successful?
Chiropractors are especially concerned with childhood brain-based problems whose needs are not addressed, including:
- Seizures and sub-clinical seizure activity
- Severely disruptive behavior disorders such as Conduct Disorder and Bipolar Disorder
- Autistic spectrum and pervasive developmental delay
- Cerebral palsy
- Acquired brain injury
- Birth trauma
Many children have sleep problems that can be helped:
- Bed wetting
- Sleep walking, sleep talking
- Teeth grinding
- Nightmares
- Night terrors
We can also help with several adolescent issues:
- Drug abuse
- Suicidal behavior
- Anxiety and depression
We can help maintain good brain function as people age. The good news is that almost any brain, regardless of its function level, can be trained to function more efficiently.
Are the effects of Neurofeedback and Chiropractic long-term?
If brain disregulation is addressed, the answer is yes. Neurofeedback is about the brain learning and if that brings order out of disorder, the brain will continue to use its new capabilities, while reinforcing them.
Conditions are different with degenerative conditions like Parkinson’s, the dementias, or when we are working against continuing insults to the system, as may be for autism spectrum. In such cases, the training needs to continue over time. Allergic susceptibilities and food intolerances make it more difficult to hold the gains. Poor nutrition, digestive function and a poor nerve supply are problematic. A child living in a toxic environment (physically or psychologically) will have more difficulty retaining good function.
What is the success rate of Neurofeedback and Chiropractic?
In the past twenty years of experience with Neurofeedback, practitioners have reached high expectations for success in training. When such success is not forthcoming, or if the gains cannot hold, then there is a reason which needs to be pursued. In the normal course of events, Neurofeedback ought to be effective with everybody. Nearly everyone should make gains they themselves would judge as worthwhile. Our brains are made for learning and skill-acquisition. On the other hand, we are working with many families whose expectations have been lowered by their past experience. They must see progress before they agree. With chiropractic care, who would not perform better with a healthier autonomic nervous system?
Among the vast majority of clients (>100% in most clinician’s experiences) the outcome exceeds the prior expectations. Against such low expectations, the changes that can be produced with Neurofeedback and Chiropractic may appear miraculous. One chiropractic office using neurofeedback has a sign on its front desk: “We expect miracles.” What appears miraculous in all of this is nothing more than the incredible capacity of our brains to recover function when given a chance and the body’s miraculous ability to heal itself.
What happens if Neurofeedback and Chiropractic patients are taking medications?
With successful Neurofeedback training and regular chiropractic care, the medications targeting brain function may not be needed, or needed at a lower dosage, as the brain and nervous system dominate the role of regulating itself. This decrease in medications is striking when the medications play a supportive role in any event, which is often the case for the more severe disorders we treat. It is important for patients to communicate with their prescribing physician regarding Chiropractic care, Neurofeedback and medications.