The Chiropractic Neurology Center of West Greenwich: Neurofeedback for Behavioral Disorders
Jul 31, 2023 09:31AM ● By Wendy Nadherny Fachon
The Chiropractic Neurology Center of West Greenwich uses
neurofeedback therapy to help children with learning challenges achieve gains
in behavior and performance as they organize and stabilize their brain
patterns. Neurofeedback is utilized by professionals around the world to teach
children with ADHD how to calm their minds and concentrate. The method treats
disorders by evaluating the functionality of the central nervous system, the
peripheral nervous system and the brain.
Sherry
Morrissette, DC, DACNB, BCN (biopsychology, cognition and neuroscience degree),
has been practicing Chiropractic Neurology for over 25 years. She combines
hands-on techniques with state-of-the-art physiotherapy procedures and
quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) neurofeedback.
In addition to
identifying and treating ADHD, Dr. Morrissette works to alleviate symptoms
associated with PTSD, autism, anxiety, sensory disorders and other brain-based
learning challenges, including pain and movement issues. She does this through neurofeedback,
a clinically proven, non-invasive, safe and drug-free form of therapy.
Biofeedback is recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics as a Level
1-Best Supported intervention for attention and hyperactivity behaviors.
In neurological
examinations, Morrissette often uses qEEG diagnostic testing to analyze the
electrical activity of the brain. The test measures and displays patterns in
different quadrants of the brain that may correspond to cognitive deficits.
Electrodes in a cap are placed on the scalp to read brain waves, revealing
important information about overall brain function, including stress levels,
thought and behavior patterns. The test results in a brain map used to develop
a neurofeedback protocol to retrain the brain in sending proper messages to the
body.
After an irregular brain pattern is identified
using qEEG Brain Mapping, a computer system optimizes the irregularity by
guiding the brain back into a healthy pattern. With repetition of this
process over time, the brain learns to stay in healthy ranges without the aid
of the computer which can help reduce or eliminate most neurological symptoms
caused by the original irregular brain pattern.
The therapy is
based upon a technique called operant conditioning, which is the use of
positive feedback (rewards) and negative feedback (lack of rewards or
consequences). An example is when a child is acting like an angel and the
parent gives him lots of praise; when the child is misbehaving, the parent
withholds praise and gives minimal attention. Through a system of rewards and
lack thereof, the brain learns which behaviors are more desirable.
The
neurofeedback method capitalizes on neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to
heal itself through this learning process. The brain receives a reward in the
form of auditory and visual feedback when it is has proper brain signal use.
This positive feedback is delivered in the form of a hum to the ears and a brightening
of the computer screen visually for the person. If the person’s brain doesn’t
use the new better brain pattern, the hum decreases and goes away and the
screen becomes dim. This is the lack of the reward. If the brain signals fall
very far out of the desirable pattern, the brain receives a correction as a
ding to the ears and darkening of the screen altogether. Neurofeedback retrains
the brains to improve its performance by working for the rewards and avoiding
the negative feedback.
The Chiropractic
Neurology Center of West Greenwich. Location: 16 Nooseneck Hill Rd., Ste. A.
For more information or to make an appointment, call 401-397-9948 or visit ChiroWG.com/neurofeedback.
Wendy Nadherny Fachon is a frequent
contributor to Natural Awakenings Magazine.
