If you are a regular reader of my blog, you may remember a post from Bernard Ertl, the creator and moderator of the Coping with Epilepsy website and forum: Stacy's Story. Well, Bernard has Had Enough of the medical establishment dismissing the possibility of neurofeedback as a legitimate alternative to drugs, surgery, and implanted devices. And in January this year, he wrote a wonderfully well-researched letter to Dr. Christine Phelps, Deputy Executive Director (Center for Education and Science) for the American Academy of Neurology/AAN Foundation. In it, he addresses the kind of things that drive me personally crazy. Chief among these is...   more »

This is a video from TED.com that I think you will find moving and inspirational --- one, because I did and two, because a number of my clients and readers have already shared the link with me, being sure I would want to see it. It's almost 20 minutes, but I think you'll find it gives you food for thought that's worth every minute. Jill Bolte Taylor is a neuroanatomist who realized one morning that she was experiencing a massive stroke.   more »

I received an email the other day from Bernard Ertl, the creator and moderator of the Coping with Epilepsy website and forum. When I had a chance to visit his site and read about the experiences he and his wife, Stacy, have had with neurofeedback, I knew I wanted them to share some of their story with my readers. I often get requests from folks who find my website, Brain and Health or blog to share what "typically" happens when someone receives neurofeedback training. I'm not allowed by my professional regulations to ask my own clients to share, so when I find someone who is willing to share their story, I really want you to be able to hear it from their mouth (keyboard?). Even though there really isn't one "typical" pattern, I know it helps to hear about what others have experienced. So first let's let Bernard and Stacy share their story, then I have a couple of comments. And just for the record -- apart from these preliminary comments and the ones that will follow, this is a completely unedited version of what Bernard so graciously sent to me...   more »

Question: "I have been told that we only use 10% of our brain's capacity. Not sure all the reasons why we cannot access the other 90%. I want to. I wouldn't mind having a better memory!" Answer: There are differing opinions on this. Some say it's true and it's the result of a built-in redundancy. Not available until something goes wrong. I personally am in the "I don't think so" school and there are a number of lines to evidence to support me on this.   more »

Well, I'm impressed. Dr. Sarvenaz Zand, a physician wrote an article for ABC News about "Treating Migraines Without Painkillers" -- and there are biofeedback and neurofeedback -- front and centre! How well does it work? According to Dr. Barry Schwartz, director of the Headache Center in New Orleans, about 85 percent to 90 percent of patients with chronic headaches respond positively to biofeedback. "Biofeedback also serves as an excellent bridge in assisting patients wean off medications," he said. Of course, I do have a few thoughts about his presentation of neurofeedback...   more »

I've had a number of clients with migraines who are trying to understand why there are so many different triggers for migraine headaches and how neurofeedback can help even if they don't stop avoiding those triggers. This is one of the ways I explain the experience of getting migraines.   more »

I saw an article today that emphasized for me why we should always try to look at alternatives to medication for chronic problems such as headaches.   more »

Sydney got migraines. Serious migraines. Every day. Sometimes she would get a migraine shortly after getting up and it would last until she went to bed that night.You may know what that's like. ... Sydney worked with me using a neurofeedback technique called passive infrared hemoencephalography or pirHEG, for short.   more »

Here 's a news story I thought you might find interesting... Treatment helping eliminate seizures 06:35 PM CDT on Monday, May 23, 2005 By JEFF BRADY / WFAA-TV The human brain remains by far the most complex and mysterious organ in the body. But cutting-edge neurofeedback at a lab in Dallas is helping doctors and patients learn more. One family traveled south from Ohio so their daughter could get help training the brain. Cassandra Wilson, 9, is a skater who floats on ice despite her epilepsy. Her Dad tapes every skating session, each a neurological mystery. "She has over 200 seizures a day," father Tom Wilson said. "It's like static on a radio - it's constant. She can't ride a bike, she falls off a bike, but she can walk out on two thin blades and ice skate." "I feel like it goes away when I'm on the ice," Cassandra said.   more »