Uncategorized
Thinking outside the box
Published
9 years agoon
By Jackie Rainford Corcoran Explore Big Sky Health Columnist
For those suffering from mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, among others, neurofeedback (NFB) can be a useful healing tool without the side effects of prescription drugs.
NFB is a non-invasive biofeedback device that teaches self-regulation by training the brain to fall into step with desired frequencies. It stimulates locked brainwave patterns to become more flexible, balanced and organized.
Jan Matney, owner of the nCenter in Bozeman, provides NFB using a Food and Drug Administration-approved device called the NeuroField as a complement to professional counseling. This allows for physical healing in the brain in conjunction with intellectual and emotional healing.
The nCenter opened its doors in January 2011 and has grown steadily through referrals from physicians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, and by word of mouth.
Jan, a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) since 1990, has been offering NFB for the last four years. She has four other LCPCs on staff, as well as her daughter, Ann Matney, who is a certified rolfer – a therapist who improves body posture and structure through soft tissue manipulation – and cranial sacral therapist. Jan’s husband Claud keeps billing and interpretation of important patient information running smoothly.
“[Our team is] all about learning, growing and offering what the community needs,” Jan said in a recent interview. “They are holistic in their approach and keenly interested in all aspects of their clients’ lives: physical, emotional, intellectual and social.”
Therapy at the nCenter often begins with a quantitative electroencephalography brain map, which creates an objective assessment of how the brain works. Sensors are placed on what looks like a swim cap and then placed on the patient’s scalp.
Brainwaves are recorded and a 3-D image of the brain is created showing imbalances and lack of neural communication. This information allows therapists at the nCenter to create highly personalized NFB sessions in conjunction with therapy.
“Once we can see the reason for your symptoms on a brain level, we can choose specifically how to use neurofeedback so that you can address your issues and meet your goals,” Jan says.
NFB results are notable, according to Jan, and clients have reported more stable moods, increased energy, better memory retention and access, as well as increased environmental, personal and emotional sensitivity.
Higher cognitive capacity and function has also been reported, as well as improved coordination, balance and general body function. Parents and teachers have noted more flexibility, focus, better sleep and mood, and emotional regulation from children in their care.
While NFB has been accepted by the American Academy of Pediatrics as a Level 1 “Best Support” intervention for ADHD, insurance companies are slow to cover it. The nCenter can help you navigate insurance options.
“Neurofeedback should play a major therapeutic role in many difficult areas,” said Dr. Frank H. Duffy in the January 2000 issue of the journal “Clinical Electroencephalography.”
“In my opinion, if any medication had demonstrated such a wide spectrum of efficacy it would be universally accepted and widely used,” said Duffy, also a professor at Harvard Medical School. “It is a field to be taken seriously.”
Call the nCenter at (406) 599-2492 to learn more about Neurofeedback therapy, or to schedule an appointment.
Jackie Rainford Corcoran is an IIN Certified Holistic Health Coach, an NASM Certified Personal Trainer, a public speaker and health activist. Contact her at jackie@thetahealth.com, or find more information at thetahealth.org.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
april, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
more
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
Time
14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome
Event Details
Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome to come, if you don’t know who to bring come alone this is a great mixer event! This is an event hosted by Big Sky OUT as we work to provide queer safe spaces throughout the community.
Time
(Sunday) 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Cowboy Coffee
25 Town Center Ave. Big Sky, MT 59716