Autoimmune Disorder: Case Study
This case involves a 45 year old woman, Lydia, who has dealt with a non-specific [...]
There are more than 80 Autoimmune Disorders which are characterized by the immune system mistakenly attacking and destroying healthy body tissue. It is unknown why the body can no longer tell the difference between healthy body tissue and an outside harmful substance, but there are theories that bacteria, viruses or even drug reactions can trigger these changes. These disorders can be chronic, debilitating and life threatening in some cases.
Along with the physical manifestations of Autoimmune Disorders, a significant emotional toll is paid by the person with these disorders and by their families. Regaining some physical and emotional freedom from this aberrant reaction of the immune system is vital to improve quality of life for the sufferer and the family.
In Autoimmune Disorders, the autonomic nervous system is out of balance. The pain center in the brain has been affected and many times there are both slow and fast brain activity which falls significantly outside of “normal” for the age of the client. The qEEG, or brain map, can identify exactly where these abnormalities have occurred, and neurofeedback therapy can retrain and adjust both the slow and fast brain activity to either normal or near normal fuctioning. This adjustment of brainwaves allows for a reduction of symptoms in many autoimmune disorders.
Since there are more than 80 known autoimmune disorders, it is impossible to list “common” symptoms. However, we can classify them by corresponding types of hypersensitivity (i.e. Types I, II, III and IV.) And many fall into the following criteria*:
*Neurofeedback is an effective, non-drug, non-invasive treatment option that has been proven to permanently reduce or eliminate symptoms associated with many disorders, including some Autoimmune Disorders. It is a technique of operant conditioning which directly changes brain function. Neurofeedback dramatically affects arousal regulation. In so doing, this ‘brain training’ can normalize the propensity to high or low arousal as seen in the qEEG or Brain Map of those with some Autoimmune Disorders. Furthermore, neurofeedback directly acts on specific brain activity known to be altered in some Autoimmune Disorders. Neurofeedback is an option for those seeking treatment without medication.
Although there is nothing to suggest in any sense Neurofeedback reverses the course of the disease process, there is empirical evidence that Neurofeeback can assist in alleviating some symptoms of several Autoimmune Disorders. In the case of Diabetes, neurofeeback can create a higher tolerance to variations in glucose levels. Clients report feeling more robust and energetic and able to tolerate the pain of peripheral neuropathy more effectively and comfortably. Sleep and the ability to focus is improved in these clients.
For those with Rheumatoid Arthritis, the pain thresholds are affected and improved through neurofeedback thus allowing the client to possibly reduce or eliminate pain medications. And in many Lupus clients, the severity of the flare-ups is reduced.
This case involves a 45 year old woman, Lydia, who has dealt with a non-specific autoimmune disorder since her teen years. She has undergone 17 surgeries to remove benign growths and to repair damaged organs and joints. Lydia developed chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, migraines, raynaud’s, orthostatic dizziness, asthma, restless leg syndrome, chronic insomnia, nerve pain, anxiety, depression, and a host of other related issues due to the body’s response system attacking itself for so many years. Before beginning neurofeedback treatment, she was taking 17 prescription pills each day for pain, muscle involvement, and to regulate body systems, including the autonomic nervous system.
Within a few weeks of beginning treatment, Lydia began noticing significant improvement in symptoms. She reported improved sleep, adding that she was actually dreaming for the first time she could recall! She had the energy to begin working out regularly, and her chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia symptoms subsided. As treatment progressed and her body’s defense and response system became stronger, Lydia was able to stop taking all prescription medications. She has had more than 80 treatments to date, and although she occasionally has a flare of one or more autoimmune issues, they are not chronically present, she is medication-free, and she embraces each day with sustained energy and stamina.
This case involves a 45 year old woman, Lydia, who has dealt with a non-specific [...]