LENS Neurofeedback
LENS (Low Energy Neurofeedback System) therapy is a unique form of neuro/biofeedback. It works directly with the Central Nervous System (CNS) and helps with many physical, emotional, & cognitive concerns. LENS reads brainwaves in real time and simultaneously emits a frequency which gently disrupts "outdated" patterns, allowing for new neural pathways to be created. It is a helpful treatment for ADHD, chronic pain, concussions & TBIs, anxiety, autoimmune diseases, depression, mood disorders, and much more.
How it Works
LENS (Low Energy Neurofeedback System) works by gently disrupting unhelpful brainwave patterns and allowing the brain to create new, optimal neural activity patterns. It is typically much faster than Traditional Neurofeedback (10 sessions recommended instead of 20). LENS neurofeedback is not diagnosis specific meaning in many cases, it is a generalized process which optimizes brain function. It is like pressing the "reset" button for stuck, unhelpful patterns.
A useful analogy is to imagine a snowy hill. Each time the sled goes down the hill, it is more likely to go right back into the track it made previously. The track is reinforced with each repetition. The same thing happens within us; The more times you think a thought, repeat a belief, or experience a pain signal, the further engrained it becomes. LENS helps disrupt these patterns like a fresh layer of fallen snow, allowing the brain to create new, more helpful patterns. The result is greater relaxation, a sense of ease, and improved emotional resilience.
Clients usually report feeling clear, calm, and fully present immediately after neurofeedback. The progression of states experienced by clients follows a predictable pattern that parallels meditation benefits. Some of these benefits include letting go of stuck emotional states, and balancing energy between emotional and behavioural extremes. LENS helps us foster a sense of centeredness and clears away distractions, allowing us to become fully present. With continued sessions, clients may progress through increased awareness, clarity, energy, joy, calmness, focus, and peace.
LENS works well for people of all ages. There is little to no risk associated with neurofeedback. The amount of energy being used by the LENS technology is extremely minimal. The EEG Amplifier we use puts out a signal that is equivalent to about 1/100th of the strength of an AA battery, and far below anything a person can feel or detect. We also use custom settings for each client and are able to optimize them as we learn more about how their brain responds to the stimulation.
Benefits of Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback therapies works with problems of the Central Nervous System, which include but are not limited to:
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Pain - Brain-generated pain (mismapping the origins and qualities of signals), and vascular pain, headaches and migraines.
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Addictions/Dependencies - Lack of clarity about emotions and self-comforting, defensiveness, argumentativeness and cynicism.
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Performance Optimization - Increases in functioning in the above areas in absence of any diagnosis
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Organic Brain Conditions - Seizures, ADD, ADHD, the autism spectrum, and cerebral palsy. (These are all signs of Central Nervous System dysfunction which result in the body’s difficulty regulating itself)
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Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury - The LENS works extremely well with the symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury, no matter how long ago the incident occurred. The trauma can be from a physical blow, a concussive injury, a psychological incident (PTSD), or any other incident(s) which results in a decrease in cognitive ability.
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Cognition - Problems sequencing, memory, providing and maintaining attention, concentration, clarity and organization.
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Mood - Anger, depression, sadness, explosiveness, PMS, PTSD and Trauma, Birth Trauma, Symptoms and emotional disturbances.
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Motor - Lack of grace, problems of eye-hand coordination, balance and tremor.
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Motivation - Problems initiating tasks, shifting from one activity to another, and/or completing tasks, attention deficits.
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Anxiety - Problems of anxiety system activity (too much uncomfortably-contained energy), persistent anxiousness, restlessness, hyper-vigilance, rumination, agitation, distractibility, difficulty breathing, palpitations, tremor exacerbation, and sleep interruption/ nightmares.
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Fatigue - Fatigue & various sleep disorders.
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Reactivity - Hyper-reactivity, hypersensitivity, multiple chemical sensitivities, Reactive Attachment and Bipolar Disorders.
Safety & Efficacy
With LENS, 86% notice improvements and nearly every client experiences improvement by the third session. Depending on the symptoms and disorder, a typical course of treatment is between 15 and 20 sessions with each session lasting between 15-30 minutes. Positive changes endure months and even years after the final session. Improvements with autism, recovery from stroke or traumatic brain injuries, or genetic predisposed conditions generally take longer for resolution of symptoms.
LENS is an FDA-certified Class II device. LENS neurofeedback is a non-invasive treatment during which people often report feeling comfortable and calm. In over a million sessions, there have been no significant side effects. Because the brain responds to LENS by reorganizing itself, there may be a new awareness of existing symptoms, such as feeling fatigued, wired, or light-headed. These short-term feelings tend to correct themselves quickly. It is not necessary to be off medications, drugs, or alcohol before LENS treatment. Please communicate with your prescribing physician about your changing needs for medication. Many people report decreasing their use of medication, and feeling less interested in recreational drugs and alcohol after treatment with LENS.
A controlled study of 100 subjects with diagnosis of ADD, traumatic brain injury and bipolar disorder showed that 90% of them did better after LENS (Larsen, Harrington, & Hicks, 2006). Improvement has been reported in most of the subjects (N = 2500, in approximately 90,000 sessions as of 2005) who have been treated with the LENS. For clients who experience other diagnoses or concerns such as fibromyalgia and explosive autism, the success rate of treatment reaches over 80%.
Research
To learn more about your brain, wave frequencies, and functions, click on this PDF.
To see a list of over 1,000 academic peer reviewed studies for Traditional Neurofeedback, click here.
To see a list of books on the topic of Neurofeedback, biofeedback, and the brain, click here.
Bronwyn von Niessen, RCC