Both are forms of biofeedback for the brain. EEG NF uses the electrical activity of the brain or brain waves as the feedback source. This form of feedback shapes the electrical activity and enhances those brain waves that eliminates certain symptoms. HEG NF exercises the prefrontal lobes (forehead) of the brain. The exercise forces more blood into that part of the brain.

EEG neurofeedback therapy is also called EEG neurotherapy, EEG biofeedback or "brainwave biofeedback". The feedback instrument used is an electroencephalograph (EEG) which monitors brain activity in great detail. This form of biofeedback is focused directly on retraining brain function in ways very specific to the particular diagnoses or conditions being addressed.

Because of its complexity, most health care practitioners in central Texas currently refer to experienced, licensed biofeedback specialists like those at Austin Biofeedback and EEG Neurofeedback Center. A significant time commitment (in years) is required to get the extensive training and experience necessary to become expert in these technologically and anatomically intensive specialties, which include EEG, QEEG, and the various modalities of EEG neurofeedback and biofeedback.

EEG Neurofeedback therapy is a complex process working with one of the most complex parts of human anatomy. In a nut shell, EEG neurofeedback equipment monitors electrical activity produced by the brain. A neurotherapist (a licensed EEG neurofeedback professional) can correlate this brain activity with symptoms, conditions or behaviors. Feedback derived from this information is then "fed-back" in visual and auditory form to the client.

Most importantly, because it taps into the natural mechanisms that make a brain learn and grow and heal itself. EEG neurofeedback therapy, in some ways, is like weight lifting. If you challenge a weak muscle to lift more weight than it is used to lifting and you repeat the exercise over and over, the muscle, in time, develops the ability to lift the heavier weight effortlessly.

EEG neurofeedback can be compared to a process called operant conditioning. It is a learning technique that requires repetition. If initial therapy occurs less than 2 times per week, progress achieved may regress a little between sessions and more sessions may be required. Most people train at frequencies between 2 to 10 times per week.

After being picked up and sent to the computer, your brain's activity is "fed back" to you through movements and color changes on a computer monitor and through changes in sounds, tones, and chords from the computer's speakers or a headset. Your brain works at blazing speeds. When the feedback information streams back to your brain through your eyes and ears, it matches your brain's activity at near real-time.

Recent news releases and the growing volume of research about the adverse effects of drugs used for ADD/ADHD and other developmental disorders have many parents concerned. Other parents are concerned that some children are selling their medications to peers who want these prescription drugs for their "speed-like" effects. EEG neurofeedback is a drug-free alternative that remediates both ADD/ADHD and other developmental disorders.

The most common symptoms people have deal with attention, focus, concentration, impulse control, anger management - all of these are either centered in or controlled by the prefrontal lobes. EEG NF is not efficient in this area because of eye blink artifacts. HEG is proving to be two to three times more effective for issues involving the prefrontal lobes.

The clinical expertise of our well-regarded staff is unsurpassed. Hundreds of physicians and health care professionals refer patients and clients to the Center. We are proud to say that our largest referral source by far, remains word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied former clients and their doctors. In our clinic, we use a variety of assessment tools to help us reach a deep understanding of each client's needs and conditions.

EEG neurofeedback is non-invasive, holistic, and there are no significant negative side effects. It resolves (remediates) problems instead of temporarily suppressing them. The patient's own internal systems develop the ability to perform well on their own, without having to depend on drugs. In some cases, patients can thrive on reduced dosages of medication and in other cases medication may be eliminated entirely.

A QEEG is not the same as a "clinical EEG". QEEG is a computerized statistical technique used to objectively measure precise electrophysiological activity in particular regions of the brain and relations between them. It permits an accurate "pattern recognition" which is impossible with routine visual analysis of EEG (clinical EEG).

The EEG permits to evaluate the manner in which a particular person's brain functions are organized and how the brain use its strength to cope with a disease and how it compensate/adapts to it. PET and MRI are not used for the this purpose, they provide a physical structural assesment on a morphological level, not being suitable for real-time functional activity assessment. EEG/QEEG, or PET and MRI are distinct techniques.

Neurofeedback is a specific type of biofeedback procedure directed toward the renormalization of the brain and central nervous system. It utilizes the very tiny EEG (electroencephalogram) signals obtained from sensors on the scalp, to monitor the brainwaves and provide a corresponding signal (feedback) to the brain. In short, Neurofeedback is brainwave training, a tool for the brain to directly learn flexibility, mental control and increased stability.

This is a way for people, including children, to learn about what is happening inside their own brains as their state of mind or awareness changes. This process is also known as EEG (electroencephalographic) biofeedback, or, brainwave training. It provides a tool for the person to learn how re-regulate fuzzy distracted thinking and to be able to get on-task with sustained concentration and attention.

Quite the contrary! Another major focus of neurofeedback research is to develop enhanced performance. In fact, over 20 years ago there was a sort of fad about Alpha training. Serious and professional work along those lines has continued and there is now much better science underlying this work. To some people, perhaps solving problems may seem to be more than making personal performance advances. In actuality, there is not that much difference.