neurofeedback brain training can help you

Find Migraine Relief Without Medication

Migraine headaches are a neurological condition, can last a few hours or a few agonizing days, and are recurring. The exact cause of migraines is unknown, but they are believed to result from abnormal activity temporarily affecting nerve signals, chemicals, and blood vessels in the brain. The condition is thought to develop from a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Genetics plays a big role in migraines and variations in several genes have been found to be associated with the condition. These genes make people more sensitive to changes in their environment and lifestyle which can lead to triggers that bring on migraines.
Most people who have migraines find that there are certain triggers for them, such as stress, sleep disruption, hormones, caffeine and alcohol, weather, diet, light, smells, etc. Everyone has different triggers, and when a person can identify their specific ones, they can effectively manage and avoid migraines better.

two women working

Because neurofeedback can create new brain pathways, turn down brain activity, and retrain how the brain responds to stimuli, it can greatly decrease migraine pain and frequency.

When this happens, the fear circuit in your brain can get stuck “on” which results in your brain releasing a constant supply of stress hormones and producing an overabundance of the brainwaves indicative of stress and anxiety. Pretty soon, a non-specific undercurrent of stress, racing thoughts, of “something not being right” becomes your brain’s normal mode, and you begin experiencing the physical symptoms and behavioral problems associated with anxiety.

man focused working on laptop

In one study using neurofeedback training on people with recurrent migraines, 54 percent of participants experienced a complete cessation of their migraines, and 39 percent experienced a reduction in migraine frequency of greater than 50 percent.¹ Another study concluded:

“All combined neuro and biofeedback interventions were effective in reducing the frequency of migraines with clients using medication resulting in a more favorable outcome (70 percent experiencing at least a 50 percent reduction in headaches) than just medications alone (50 percent experience a 50 percent reduction) and that the effect size of our study involving three different types of biofeedback for migraine (1.09) was more robust than effect size of combined studies on thermal biofeedback alone for migraine (.5). These non-invasive interventions may show promise for treating treatment-refractory migraine and for preventing the progression from episodic to chronic migraine.”²

No matter what your symptoms are, a calmer you is possible!

Migraines can manifest in various ways, and symptoms can differ from person to person. Here are common symptoms of migraines.

  • Severe Throbbing or Pulsating Headache
  • Sensitivity to Light
  • Dizziness or Vertigo
  • Difficulty Concentrating
  • Mood Changes

  • Blurred Vision

  • Sensitivity to Smells
  • Pain that Worsens with Physical Activity or Movement
  • Speech or Language Difficulties

  • Auditory Disturbances

You have questions, we have answers!

We’ve gathered a list of commonly asked questions for your convenience. If you don’t see the information you need, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Simply click on the question that interests you to navigate directly to the relevant section.

Let’s start by clarifying what neurofeedback is NOT. Neurofeedback is NOT electrical stimulation or any kind of shock to the brain. In fact, it’s completely noninvasive and pain-free. Nothing ever goes to or in your brain.

Neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback that uses the electrical activity of the brain to reinforce optimal brain wave patterns through operant conditioning, thus improving one’s life.

Neurofeedback is a superior solution because it doesn’t just ease the symptoms. It addresses and changes what is causing the symptoms or problems at the source in your brain. Your brain learns how to function differently in a way that relieves problematic symptoms or behaviors.

Neurofeedback training has many scientifically documented benefits both for the brain and body, including stress reduction, improved sleep, better focus and memory, heightened mental clarity, more emotional and behavioral regulation, enhanced cognitive performance, and more. Give it a try today, we bet your brain is capable of the changes you desire!

Yes.

Some clients are able to decrease their medication over time with their prescriber. Grey Matters does not do any medication adjustment.

In a neurofeedback session, qEEG sensors are placed on your scalp, recording your brainwaves and sending the information to a computer in real time. The computer, by way of auditory or sound feedback, teaches your brain to perform at optimal levels by a method called operant conditioning which harnesses your brain’s reward system.

All learning is at a subconscious level. You don’t actually have to “do” anything. With consistent repetition through auditory feedback, the brain learns to self-regulate and makes physiological changes to perform more optimally and will continue to make the adjustments after the initial training. Because it’s a learning process, the results of neurofeedback occur gradually over time.

During a 35 to 45-minute session, you sit comfortably in a chair. You have the option of having a footstool, blanket, and eye mask for relaxation. You are given headphones to listen to the training sounds and can either watch scenic images, read, journal, or just kick back and relax. For the younger ones, they can color, draw, read, do homework, or play with Legos.

Consistency is key. The brain requires a minimum of 2 sessions per week to learn and retain new patterns. An average of 35 sessions is needed for the brain to make permanent neuroplastic change. Remember, your brain is learning, and learning takes time and repetition. If you have multiple diagnoses or are on psychological medications, more sessions may be required for your desired results.

There are no long-term negative effects.

Just like taking your temperature with a thermometer does not deliver anything to your body, a qEEG brain map or a qEEG-guided training session does not deliver anything to your brain – it only reads your brain’s electrical activity. The auditory feedback you hear encourages your brain to “exercise.” So, similar to the variety of feelings after a good workout at the gym, some people experience symptoms such as being more tired or more wired, and few will develop a slight headache after a session. These symptoms go away within hours and are not long-lasting.

Our Brain Coaches are here to assess your training progress, discuss any symptoms you may experience, and provide educated feedback to you during your journey.

Grey Matters will assign you a Success Coach who is here to help you successfully navigate your journey. Together, we assess and work on your sleep hygiene, diet, screen time, exercise, and stress management, among many other factors, to help you improve not only your brain but also your overall well-being.

We also offer a variety of Wellness Testing to enhance your training outcome.

Just like riding a bike, once you learn how to do it, your body doesn’t forget. However, if you haven’t ridden your bike in ten years, you aren’t going to be as comfortable or skilled when you get back on it.

Maintenance recommendations are based on individual assessment and will be discussed towards the end of your initial training. Typically, a 1-2 times a month schedule will be recommended. After all, you wouldn’t hire a personal trainer to get in the best shape of your life and then stop going to the gym altogether, would you? Don’t lose your brain gains by stopping altogether either.

Grey Matters Brain Training Studio offers Unlimited Membership options for brain training and several intake options to fit your needs. Please view our pricing page to learn more and find an option that works for you.

We do not accept insurance; however, we offer a variety of payment options.

We accept:

  • Cash, checks, all major credit cards, and Apple Pay
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and HRA Health Reimbursement arrangement.
  • Financing options are available through First Financial Bank with little to no interest
  • Advanced Care Credit
  • Vagaro Pay Later
  • Monthly Payment Plans

Think about the cost of therapy, medications, dissatisfaction with life, lost work hours, and the hope to feel better. It’s worth it. Come on in, we got you.

We use Brainmaster amplifiers and BrainAvatar software, which are FDA-approved.

Sources: 1. Walker JE. QEEG-guided neurofeedback for recurrent migraine headaches. Clin EEG Neurosci. 2011 Jan;42(1):59-61. doi: 10.1177/155005941104200112. PMID: 21309444. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21309444/
2. Stokes DA, Lappin MS. Neurofeedback and biofeedback with 37 migraineurs: a clinical outcome study. Behav Brain Funct. 2010 Feb 2;6:9. doi: 10.1186/1744-9081-6-9. PMID: 20205867; PMCID: PMC2826281. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20205867/