Fibromyalgia affects about 4 million adults, which is about 2% of the adult population. It is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. This condition can be hard to understand, even for healthcare providers, but researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way the brain and spinal cord recognize painful and non-painful signals. Women are more likely to be diagnosed than men.
Benefits of Neurofeedback for Fibromyalgia
There have been few treatment options for fibromyalgia beyond the use of medications. However, neurofeedback has emerged as a safe alternative treatment that reduces or eliminates the reliance on some medications. Studies have shown that neurofeedback therapy reduces pain symptoms for those experiencing fibromyalgia. Targeting the amygdala region of the brain leads to improvements in sleep quality and reduction of depression and anxiety symptoms. Neurofeedback works to stabilize brain processes which can decrease headaches, lessen body pain, decrease muscle tension and chronic nerve pain while calming emotional reactions to pain.
Unlike medication, neurofeedback causes minimal to no side effects. The most commonly reported side effect is a feeling of tiredness after a session.
