Migraines & Headaches
Migraines and chronic headaches can be debilitating, affecting daily life, productivity, and overall well-being. These conditions are often caused by neurological dysfunction, vascular irregularities, or heightened brain excitability. Individuals with migraines may experience throbbing pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and, in some cases, visual disturbances known as auras. Chronic headaches, including tension and cluster headaches, can also result from stress, muscle tension, or dysregulation in brain activity.
Neurofeedback has emerged as a promising, non-invasive approach to alleviating migraines and headaches by helping the brain regulate its activity and reduce excessive neural excitability. By promoting optimal brainwave function, neurofeedback can help decrease the frequency and intensity of migraines and chronic headaches. Since headaches are often associated with dysregulation in pain-processing centers of the brain, neurofeedback provides a targeted approach to address these imbalances, offering relief without the need for medication.
Neurofeedback provides a safe and effective means of managing migraines and chronic headaches by enhancing brain function and resilience. Individuals suffering from these conditions may find neurofeedback to be a valuable component of their long-term symptom management plan.
Treatment Sites With Neurofeedback
We have a specific Brain Stability and Pain Regulation Protocol where we can create neuroplasticity in the brain by targeting neural networks involved in pain perception, autonomic regulation, and stress response. This protocol focuses on stabilizing brainwave activity to reduce headache frequency, improve pain tolerance, and decrease migraine triggers. The Brain Stability and Pain Regulation Protocol can also be used to enhance relaxation and prevent future headache episodes.
Studies
Jensen, M. P., S. Hakimian, L. H. Sherlin, & F. Fregni (2008). New insights into neuromodulatory approaches for the treatment of pain. Journal of Pain, 9(3), 193-199. This study explores the link between brain EEG activity and the experience of pain, highlighting how individuals with chronic pain tend to have lower amplitudes of slower brainwave activity (delta, theta, and alpha) and higher amplitudes of faster wave (beta) activity. The research discusses neuromodulatory interventions, including neurofeedback, as promising methods for altering brain activity to reduce pain perception. The findings suggest that targeting pain treatment at a cortical level through EEG-based approaches, such as neurofeedback, may be a valuable strategy for managing chronic pain conditions like migraines and headaches.
Jensen, M. P., L. H. Sherlin, K. J. Gertz, A. L. Braden, A. E. Kupper, A. Gianas, J. D. Howe, & S. Hakimian (2013). Brain EEG activity correlates of chronic pain in persons with spinal cord injury: clinical implications. Spinal Cord, 51(1), 55-58. This study examines EEG activity in individuals with chronic pain and finds that those experiencing persistent pain show distinct brainwave patterns, including increased theta activity and decreased alpha activity. The results suggest that individuals with chronic pain, such as those suffering from migraines, may have altered brain activity that contributes to their symptoms. The study highlights the potential for neurofeedback to help regulate these brainwave imbalances, offering a non-invasive treatment option for managing chronic pain conditions.
Below you will find a PDF containing the studies provided above and more.