BrainCore Therapy - Getting Started

Neurofeedback is biofeedback for the brain. The training tends to improve cognitive function, attention, mood, anxiety, and behavior. It helps quiet the mind. It is non-invasive and generally has no side effects.

Think of it as regulating central nervous system-related problems or “dysregulation.”  It is commonly used to address the symptoms associated with ADD, ADHD, depression, anxiety, attachment disorder, autism, panic attacks, peak performance, traumatic brain injury or concussions, seizures, and sleep problems. Often specific areas of the brain are trained differently to address various issues associated with neurofeedback. BrainCore Therapy does not treat, solve, or cure mental and physical health issues. It is desinged to help regulate brainwave patterns.

The number of sessions depend on the patient and the severity of the health condition. It is no different than asking how long it will take one person to get in shape by going to the gym compared to another individual. The typical package of BrainCore visits starts with 20 to 30 sessions. After every 10^th or 15^th session, a qEEG is performed to determine progress and if the protocol should be changed.

Total session time is usually 45-minutes. While not mandatory, most BrainCore patients at Balance Atlanta also receive a chiropractic adjustment to enhance nerve system function, training in proper breathing techniques to manage stress effectively, and nutritional support for improved mental and physical well-being. For maximum effectiveness, BrainCore patients receive three training sessions per week for six to seven weeks. Thereafter, based on the qEEG results and the level of symptom improvement, a patient may decide to reinforce neurofeedback with wellness-based sessions spread out over a greater period of time.

Patients often notice an improvement within 6 to 10 sessions provided they have been following the treatment plan protocol, they have supported their body with proper nutrition and other healthful lifestyle efforts, and they are enthusiastically participating in the healing process as a collaborative effort with the doctor. Quite frequently, family members of BrainCore patients are the first to notice the client’s changes in terms of their behavior, thought process, decreased reliance on medications, and sleep.

Clinicians report that more than half their neurofeedback clients start neurofeedback while taking one or more medications. After training for a while, it is often possible to reduce medication under appropriate medical supervision. Please consult with your medical doctor to manage your case and prescriptions.

Just as physicians and psychologists vary in their effectiveness based on their training, knowledge, and people-skills, the same is true of neurofeedback practitioners. Very few things help everyone. While neurofeedback helps, on average, 80% of people who try it, sometimes negative influences such as improper diet, lack of exercise, dehydration, unhealthy personal relationships, work dissatisfaction, poor lifestyle habits, other prescription or non-prescription drugs, stressful life situations and trauma, changes in living situations and environment, and chronicity of the situation will impact the degree of success.

While there are certain codes for neurofeedback, insurance companies are reluctant to reimburse for these services as they do not fall under the typical procedures of medical doctors where the expectation is to medicate a patient versus improve the patient’s brain function naturally with neurofeedback. If a patient is receiving chiropractic care, specific codes for adjustments may be reimbursed to the patient. There is no guarantee of benefits as every insurance policy is different. Balance Atlanta offers accounting discounts as well as no interest financing through Care Credit.

An estimated 2,500-3,500 health professionals now use neurofeedback, including psychologists, chiropractic and medical doctors, licensed social workers, educational psychologists, marriage and family counselors, and registered nurses.

In a survey, clinicians who use neurofeedback reported that it improves symptoms for a large percentage of clients. It may help clients reduce the use of medications.

Neurofeedback works very well in a clinical setting, but few physicians are really educated about it. This is probably the biggest obstacle to acceptance. You have to look at the role of most medical doctors: their job is to prescribe medicine to mitigate symptoms, not to educate and retrain patients’ neurology to optimal function. Therefore, a medical doctor is not a likely candidate to include BrainCore Therapy or any form of neurofeedback into their practices.

In addition, medical doctors are paid by insurance companies based on the guidelines set forth by insurance carriers. Since neurofeedback does not fit in the business model of insurance companies, and if training sessions are most likely not like to reimburse the doctor, physicians working in the allopathic, insurance-based model will not likely offer neurofeedback to their clients. 

Outside of the medical model, it takes a certain type of doctor or health practitioner to invest the time and financial resources to purchase the very expensive equipment, become a trained expert in using the technology, and establish the time, space and staff to implement neurofeedback in their offices. For most doctors, it is easier to prescribe a pill than it is to educate and empower patients towards optimal brain function. Thus, it takes someone like Dr. Caroline who has the well-being of her patients at the center point of her practice to incorporate this extremely effective service at Balance Atlanta.