Improving the brain’s self-regulation allows the brain to work more efficiently and helps an individual function in a more healthy way. The Brain Center at Serenity View includes several different types of equipment, each with a specific purpose but overall aimed at decreasing anxiety, reducing stress, improving sleep, aiding digestion, and increasing oxygen and blood flow to the brain. For many therapies, patients recline in comfortable chairs with dim lighting and the option to use a weighted blanket.

The Brain Center offers supplemental therapy to help those with trauma, PTSD, addiction disorders, and anxiety by improving the function of the Autonomous Nervous System (ANS). Our body’s ANS supports health, growth, and restoration. The vagus nerve is the main controller of the ANS, connecting the brain to many important organs including the gut, heart, and lungs. That’s why we train patients to improve the “tone” of their vagus nerve. A higher vagal tone means that the body can relax faster after stress. 

Spending 20 minutes on each machine weekly during your treatment stay supports a positive feedback loop between high vagal tone, positive emotions, and good physical health.

One Part of a Comprehensive Program

This innovative approach provides Serenity View patients with grounding and self-regulation techniques to confront deeper issues with less anxiety. Having access to our Brain Center allows for better integration and implementation of additional more traditional approaches incorporated within the overall treatment process.

Serenity View Brain Spa

Studies have shown that neurofeedback can help address:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • PTSD
  • Attention deficits
  • Behavior disorders
  • Addictive disorders
  • Sleep disorders
  • Headaches/migraines
  • PMS
  • Seizures
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Autism, Cerebral Palsy

Inside The Brain Center

Neurofeedback (NFB)

Neurofeedback is direct training of the functioning brain. Sensors are applied to the patient’s scalp and they observe their brainwave activity through a computer-based system. Once the level of different brainwave frequencies for a patient is determined, protocols are developed for training the brain to make more or less of specific frequencies, actively attempting to change the brain’s baseline activity. The brain is rewarded for changing its own activity to more appropriate patterns. The frequencies that are targeted and the location on the scalp where the sensors are placed are specific to the conditions being addressed and to each individual. Sessions usually last for 30 minutes. 

 

Neurofeedback

Cranio-Electro Stimulation (CES)

CES stimulates alpha waves, the brain’s building blocks of resiliency and capacity, and can be useful for sleep, anxiety, and improved cognitive functioning in populations recovering from addiction. This technology supplies a very small modulated electrical current to the earlobes while patients engage in Audio/Visual Stimulation (AVS). The unit and entrainment device combine light and sound to induce positive responses to stress reduction, insomnia, mood disorders, mental sharpness, memory, and cognitive functioning.

Heart-Rate Variability (HRV)

Our HRV devices track the interval time between each heartbeat as one breathes in and out in a comfortable, relaxed environment. Equipped with a monitor, this biofeedback device shows patients engaging visuals to help teach relaxation techniques and develop coherent breathing patterns. HRV is effective in reducing stress, gaining clarity, and developing greater self-awareness of internal reactions within one’s body.

Chi Machine

The Chi Machine is used in our Brain Center to help facilitate oxygen flow to the brain, increase blood circulation, and boost immune function. The device is used in a passive exercise technique, where an individual lays flat on the floor and rests their ankles on the machine’s foot rests. Once the machine is turned on it provides a figure-8, goldfish-like movement to the feet and legs. Studies show that the Chi Machine’s relaxing-yet-oscillating movement helps facilitate oxygenation to the brain, increased blood flow and circulation, as well as strengthened immune function and lymph flow, cleansing and removing harmful substances from the body. Other positive responses to the Chi Machine include reducing insomnia, excessive dreaming, digestive problems, stomach pain, anxiety, constipation, palpitations, extensive forms of aches and pains, and mental stress in some patients.

 

Get answers to your questions

If you or a loved one would like to know more about treatment at Serenity View Recovery Center, please give us a call to speak to one of our trained intake coordinators for assistance. 

Call 833-757-5697