You may have heard the terms biofeedback and neurofeedback used interchangeably before. But what exactly are the differences between these two therapies? While neurofeedback can actually be seen as a specific type of biofeedback, there are some important differences to note. If you’re struggling to decide between biofeedback vs neurofeedback in Dallas, we’ll help you compare your options so you can make the right choice for your health.
Biofeedback vs Neurofeedback: Are They The Same?
Yes, and no.
Neurofeedback treatment is a specific form of biofeedback that focuses solely on the brain. Neurofeedback is sometimes referred to as EEG biofeedback. Rather than measuring multiple bodily functions, neurofeedback only measures electrical activity in the brain.
During a neurofeedback session, a patient is given real-time feedback about how their brain is functioning. Through reward-based training (also called operant learning), individuals learn how to better self-regulate their brain which leads to long-term changes in their brainwave patterns.
Biofeedback alone does not involve training the brain in any form. As the name may imply, biofeedback provides feedback about how the body is functioning. This process allows individuals to make changes to improve their health and address issues such as hypertension, chronic pain, physical performance, anxiety, and/or stress.
During biofeedback sessions, individuals are connected to sensors that help monitor physiological processes such as breathing, heart rate, muscle contractions, temperature, and sweat perspiration. Those sensors provide insights on bodily functions and efficiencies to help individuals overcome their health issues.
How Are Biofeedback and Neurofeedback Similar?
The level of invasiveness
Both of these innovative therapies are non-invasive, non-surgical, and entirely drug-free. As such, patients experience no side effects from these treatments.
Sessions are monitored by a trained clinician
Both biofeedback and neurofeedback use operant conditioning techniques to train patients to change their behaviors. That means both therapies require an individual to perform tasks while being monitored by a trained clinician.
For example, during a neurofeedback session, the clinician sits quietly and watches a screen displaying his/her brainwave activity. As the patient performs certain actions, the display will show whether those actions were successful. If the action was unsuccessful, then the display will indicate that result. This allows for immediate reinforcement when appropriate positive feedback behavior occurs.
The session length and frequency
Both biofeedback and neurofeedback sessions last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending upon what kind of therapy is needed. Sessions typically occur once per week but some people prefer more frequent treatments.
Effectiveness
Both therapies are highly effective long-term treatments of the conditions they address.
Conditions Treated By Biofeedback vs Neurofeedback in Dallas
If you’re weighing your options for either biofeedback or neurofeedback in Dallas, you’ll obviously need to know which will be the proper treatment for your specific condition.
The conditions addressed through biofeedback are many and varied. Some examples include:
- Anxiety or stress
- Asthma
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Chemotherapy side effects
- Chronic pain
- Constipation
- Fecal incontinence
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches and Migraines
- High blood pressure
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Raynaud’s disease
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Stroke
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
- Urinary incontinence
Some of the top conditions treated by neurofeedback therapy include:
- ADHD
- Bipolar disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Panic attacks
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Dysthymia
- Insomnia
- Anorexia nervosa
- Bulimia nervosa
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Trichotillomania
As you can see, there is some crossover in the types of conditions treated by biofeedback vs neurofeedback therapy. However, biofeedback treatments tend to focus more on bodily functions, while neurofeedback addresses psychological and brain conditions.
Am I a Candidate for Biofeedback or Neurofeedback in Dallas?
The following questions should give you a good idea if you might benefit from either type of treatment:
Do you have a specific physical or psychological condition that requires treatment? Do you have any medical issues such as asthma, chronic headaches, high blood pressure, etc.? Are you seeking to improve certain behaviors? Are you looking to improve your ability to concentrate at work? Or maybe you’d like to learn how to relax better during stressful situations?
If you answered yes to any of the above, then you may respond very well to either neurofeedback therapy or biofeedback therapy.
Which Is Best: Biofeedback or Neurofeedback?
At the end of the day, the best therapy for you depends on your goals and your areas of concern. Your best bet may be to visit a center that provides both biofeedback and neurofeedback in Dallas.
At Braincode Centers in Dallas, TX, we take a well-rounded, holistic approach to wellness to ensure that our clients can achieve their best lives. Our clinicians are highly educated and specialize in both biofeedback and neurofeedback therapies. We’ll be able to help you identify which innovative treatment is best for you.
Achieve Your Best Life with Biofeedback or Neurofeedback In Dallas
At Braincode Centers, we strive to offer support for a variety of struggles in both a mental and physical capacity.
We want to offer best-in-class resources to our clients. Therefore, our clinicians are continuously performing ongoing education and professional development in the field of biofeedback and other supporting treatments.
Take back control of your physical and mental symptoms and change your life for the better at Braincode Centers. Contact our clinicians today to set up a consultation with one of our health and wellness experts.
