HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2013-11-13, Page 19Wednesday, November 13, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 19
Neurofeedback comes to Lambton Shores
Lynda Hillman-Rapley
Lakeshore Advance
Susan Gillies is bringing neurofeed-
hack to the 1.a►nbton Shores area. So far
the reception has been a warm and
enthusiastic welcome from people will-
ing to try something new and
unfamiliar.
Gillies says a shorthand way of
describing neurofeedhack is training
for the brain. It's also known as li1:G
biofeedback. Brainwave sensors are
used to detect brain activity. 'the neuro -
feedback software reads your brain -
waves and identifies 'turbulence: 'ihen
t feeds back information in the form of
�., found, which you hear through ear -
buds; it sounds like static. The brain
understands this information without
your conscious understanding. Your
brain then uses the information to self -
correct, changing Its activity to be
within the optimal brain wave fre-
quency. The result is a calming effect.
In a way, neurofeedback
is like meditation — it's
good for everyone.
Neurofeedback can help
with anxiety, stress,
depression, migraines,
insomnia, addictions,
Autism, PTSD and ADHD".
— Susan Gillies
"1n a way, neurofeedback is like med-
itation — it's good for everyone. Neuro -
feedback can help with anxiety, stress,
depression, migraines, insomnia,
addictions, Autism, PTSD and ADHD.
To the delight of family members and
person afflicted, it can also help to
leve the symptoms of dementia,
Alzheimer's and stroke. Many people
turn to Neurofeedback to slow the
effects of brain aging, including forget-
fulness. Focus and concentration also
benefit from neurofeedback. For exam-
ple, students, athletes and business
people often find it gives therm an edge.
It is quickly becoming the secret
weapon of golfers to help lower their
scores. What practitioners of neuro -
feedback have found is that it benefits a
wide variety of conditions, even condi-
tions that are considered purely physi-
cal," answers Gillies. She adds the mind
body connection is very powerful.
Both mental and physical symptoms
can be improved. Describing the proc-
ess of the treatment Gillies said, "You sit
down in a comfortable chair. You can
put your feet up. The five sensors are
placed on your head — three on the ear,
and two on the top of the head. They
stick on with a little bit of gel. First, the
sensors and software track a baseline
status of your brainwave activity. You
see it represented on the screen in front
of you as a series of moving bars — like
the levels on a stereo. 'then the training
session begins, and lasts for about half
an hour. The lights are dimmed, and it's
quiet. Abstract, moving images play on
the screen. Music plays In the earbuds,
and you hear a slight static -y noise.
While the session is going on, 1 stay
nearby. After the training session is
complete, I check the activity of the
brainwaves again, and we compare the
before and after. The whole thing takes
about 45 minutes"
She adds that the sensors only gather
information about your brainwaves.
"The only input to your brain is through
the static -y sound you hear and the
feedback from the visual component:"
Gillies explains, like meditation,
even one session provides benefit. "To
receive substantial improvement of
symptoms, 20 sessions has histori-
cally been the magic number for most
conditions. However, the research
showing that was done using an older
version of the technology. Practition-
ers are noticing that with further
refinement of the software, response
times are quickening. In my experi-
ence, people's reactions are highly
individual. Sometimes people see a
big improvement in daily functioning
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after only a handful of sessions"
She says once you've haat enough
sessions 0) see the benefits you want,
the brain remembers how to stay within
the optimal brain wave frequency. "i've
found that many people like to keep
conning, because it's relaxing, but it's
not required. Some people may return
for a tune-up in they encounter an
especially difficult time clown the
road."
If someone doesn't improve, says Gil-
lies, "which is rare", there Is usually
some factor preventing their improve-
ment, like a dietary deficiency, an undi-
agnosed physical condition or their
horse situation. "1 ask questions to
gather information, and make rerom
mendatloos accordingly." As a Regis-
tered Nutritional Consulting Practi
tioner, Susan is always happy to provide
advice on optimum nutrition for the
brain. Susan also draws on her bio-
chemistry background (a BSc from
McGill) and medical research experi-
ence to help identify what may be
standing in the way. Her Masters in
Library and Information Studies and
Certificate in Computer Programming,
both from McGill, as well as her years
with the National Research Council of
Canada also contribute to her ability to
work so effectively with a technology
that bases its success on providing
instantaneous information to the
brain,
Asked why she offers this service, (al-
lies says, "It changes people's lives. It
helps with things that nothing else
seems to be effective for. it's especially
gratifying when someone comes in and
says they've tried everything, and neu-
orfeedback is able to help them. Often
people immediately want to share the
experience with others they think will
benefit. For me personally, when my
sister with advanced MS told the her
restless leg syndrome was gone and that
other symptoms were starting to
improve, 1 was over the moon."
If you are interested in neurofeed
back, you can contact Susan Gillies ut
the Good Vibrations Centre for Neuro -
feedback at 519-639-B45:I, or visit www.
lifejustfeelsbetter.com. The offices of
Good Vibrations are located in the
•
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PARK THEATRE 30 Th. 5Quor•
GODERICH 524.7811•
Frl & Sat
6:45 & 9:15
Sun - Wed 7:30
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Starts Thursday �.,.
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CAP •
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1-800-265-3438
(rand Bend Area Health
Services Foundation Build-
ing, 29 Gill Road. I ler hours
an' 10:00 to 6:00 Monday to
Friday.
(good Vibrations together
with Sound'I'herapy will he
hosting a Alzheimer's "Cof-
fee Break" on November 2:1
from 10-2. One of the door
prizes is a series of
neurofeedback sessions.
Both companies would be
delighted to see a good
turnout.
Note: This article is not
intended to replace or coun-
termand the advice given by
the readers personal health-
care provider.
MAIO (.A1) WISH
.'(,mr lri..he's
,(in'l ,rail Ii„. someday.
1.11.1 a 1-KKK-822-t)I i 1
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