Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain

Many people who suffer with Fibromyalgia or chronic pain have heard at one time or another, "It's all in your head!", usually implying that the pain is not real and that they are imagining it.

Research has shown that the problem is indeed in your head or rather, your brain, but also that it is real. The pain is a result of a malfunctioning brain. Sleep studies have demonstrated that people suffering with Fibromyalgia are unable to enter deep sleep, known as Delta or stage 4 sleep (1 - 4 hertz brainwaves), normally.

This is very important because Delta sleep is responsible for the production of:

Human Growth Hormone ( HGH ) - necessary for the repair of tissues of our bodies damaged by micro-traumas that occur with daily activities.

Serotonin - a neurotransmitter produced in the brain that reduces the perception of pain.

The decreased ability or inability of people with Fibromyalgia or chronic pain to enter Delta sleep reduces their levels of HGH and Serotonin, which in turn causes muscle damage to accumulate and sensitivity to pain to increase, resulting in their symptoms.

In 1975, two Canadian physicians and researchers, Harvey Molofsky, M.D. and Hugh Smythe, M.D., suspected sleep disorders as a factor in Fibromyalgia. They used an EEG (electroencephalograph) to measure brainwaves of patients with Fibromyalgia and found that they were unable to go into Delta sleep. They did another study in which healthy people were awakened as they entered Delta sleep, thus disrupting their sleeping pattern. They found that the healthy people developed Fibromyalgia symptoms when their sleep was disturbed, but that the symptoms subsided when they were permitted to sleep undisturbed.

In another study at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Kocaeli University in Turkey neurofeedback therapy was used on several patients with Fibromyalgia. Most of their symptoms decreased within ten sessions and there was improvement on all of the measurement scales they used.

Another study using EEG with 30 patients published in 2001 in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found significant improvement in their mental clarity, mood, and sleep. Extended follow-up demonstrated statistically significant improvement in their psychological and physical functioning.

Here is a link to a video about neurofeedback for Fibromyalgia:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbQqG-7gpps&feature=player_embedded

We offer a complimentary EEG evaluation at our office in Nashville, TN. Call 615-833-8851 or visit:

http://www.braincoretherapy.com/

to find another BrainCore Therapy clinic near you.

Research on SMR Brainwaves and Seizures

The following information on research was summarized from the book A Symphony In The Brain by Jim Robbins.

Originally, there were thought to be four brain wave types until research led to the discovery of the sensorimotor rhythm or SMR brain waves.

These were discovered in 1965 by Barry Sterman, PhD, a professor emeritus in the departments of Neurobiology and Psychiatry at UCLA.

He was conducting EEG (electroencephalograph, the device for recording brainwave electrical patterns) research on cats. In the experiment, a group of cats' brainwaves were recorded by EEG as they were conditioned to press a lever for a reward of milk. After that, a tone sound was added, during which pressing the lever would not give milk. The cats had to learn to wait for the tone to stop before pressing the lever for milk.

While waiting for the tone to stop, the cats would remain absolutely still but very alert as if they were about to pounce on unsuspecting prey. The researchers noticed that the EEG showed a spike at that time in the lower Beta range at 12 -15 hertz . It only occurred over the sensorimotor cortex (the area on the top of the brain between the ears that integrates information from our senses with body actions) so Sterman called it the sensorimotor rhythm or SMR.

He then set up the experiment so the cats would only be rewarded with milk when they produced a half second of SMR brainwaves. Over a period of time, they learned to produce SMR at will. The study was repeated with Rhesus monkeys with the same results. This study demonstrated that brain waves could be voluntarily controlled.

Later, Sterman was conducting a different study for the US Department of Defense on the toxic effects (nausea, vomiting, seizures, and death) experienced by workers breathing or coming in contact with monomethylhydrazine used as rocket fuel. In this study, the brainwaves of fifty cats were monitored by EEG after they were injected with rocket fuel. After a few minutes, the cats vomited and then most went into seizures after an hour. However, in seven of the cats the onset of the seizures was substantially delayed and in three never happened at all!

The researches were at first perplexed as to why those ten cats were resistant to the rocket fuel’s toxicity but they soon realized that those cats had been in the SMR study and had learned to produce SMR brainwaves. They surmised that the SMR training had strengthened the cats' brain functioning at the sensorimotor cortex, similar to the way muscles can be strengthened by lifting weights. The cats' threshold for seizures had been increased and their brains functionally altered to resist the spread of slow theta waves across the cortex that caused seizures.

Sterman later trained a twenty-three year old computer technician named Mary Fairbanks, who worked for a colleague in the laboratory, in SMR. She had suffered severe grand mal seizures two or more times a month since the age of eight. Drugs were of no help to her.

She trained for twenty four hour-long sessions over a period of three months. During that time she became nearly seizure free and was ultimately able to get a driver’s license. The researchers also noticed that she went from being a quiet and unobtrusive individual to being more outgoing with increased personal confidence and an enhanced interest in her appearance.

SMR training is a significant component of most BrainCore neurofeedback therapies.

Next time: Neurofeedback for Insomnia

About Brainwaves

Brainwaves show us what types of activities are present and how different areas of the brain are communicating. There are over 100 billion neurons (brain cells) and over a 100 trillion synapses (connections between neurons). A pathway in the brain consists of a specific group of neurons and their connecting synapses. When you are engaged in an activity, e.g. reading, sleeping, performing a skill you have learned, etc., specific neuronal pathways for those activities are functioning. The synapses within the different pathways produce different types of electrical waves we call brainwaves.

Brainwaves are divided by frequency into five basic groups, Beta, SMR, Alpha, Theta and Delta.

Beta is the highest frequency group at 12 to 36 HZ (hertz – cycles per second). It is further subdivided into:

• Low Frequency Beta. 16 -20 HZ. Produced when we are awake, calm, alert, attentive, externally focused. It is produced when we are engaged in problem solving. It is also associated with the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine (neurotransmitters are bio-chemicals that transmit nerve impulses between nerve cells). People with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) often produce these Beta waves in lesser amounts.

• High Frequency Beta. 21 – 36 HZ. These may be correlated with anxiety, hyperactivity, headaches, insomnia and chronic pain.

• Very High Frequency Beta. 24 – 36 HZ. Can occur with worrying, ruminating (turning a matter over and over in the mind), and hyper vigilance (scanning the environment for threats). These may be associated with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder, and addiction disorders.

SMR (sensorimotor rhythm). 12 -15 HZ. While SMR is within the Beta range, it is only found over the Sensorimotor cortex, a section of the top of the brain that runs across between the ears. It is active when our brains are integrating sensory input (what we see, hear, feel, smell or taste) with motor output (body movement). The ability of the brain to produce high levels of SMR has been linked to decreased hyperactivity and an increased resistance to seizures. Several studies have shown that increasing levels of SMR may reduce grand mal seizures in epileptics by 70%.

Alpha is the next lowest frequency group at 8 -12 HZ. Alpha is associated with the release of the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine, which in turn is associated with sleeping patterns and the ability to enter into deep and restful sleep.

It can be produced with meditation and gives a sense of inner calm or peacefulness. The amount of Alpha normally doubles when the eyes are closed. Alpha Blocking is a condition where this doubling with the eyes closed does not occur. Alpha Blocking is associated with:

• Insomnia
• Migraine and Tension Headache
• Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia
• Anxiety
• Stress
• PTSD

Theta waves are next at 4 -8 HZ. They are the main wave being produced when we are falling asleep.

Theta is associated with recalling memories and creativity but may also occur inappropriately in distractibility, inattention, daydreaming, depression and anxiety. Excessive amounts are typically found in people with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder).

Delta waves are the lowest frequency at 1-4 HZ.

They occur in deep sleep and trigger the release of HGH (human growth hormone) which is necessary for healing and regeneration. Many people with insomnia, fibromyalgia or chronic pain do not get sufficient delta deep sleep and may be deficient in HGH as a result.

Decreased delta may also be present in learning disabled children and in people with TBI (traumatic brain injury).

Delta is also associated with the production of the neurotransmitter Serotonin which is necessary for reducing pain perception.

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The Significance of Brain Waves

Our brain regulates communication between all the systems of the body. Neurological Regulation refers to the ability of the brain to regulate itself. A healthy, balanced and properly self regulated nervous system will produce the appropriate brain waves at the appropriate levels and at the appropriate times for any given situation. Neurological Dysregulation is a term for when this normal brainwave function does not occur.

There are conditions confirmed by university based research to be related to abnormal brainwave patterns including:

• ADHD

• Insomnia

• Insomnia Related Conditions

• Migraine Headache

• Tension Headache

• Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Conditions suspected to be related to abnormal brainwave patterns include:

• Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome

• Depression

• Learning Disorders

• Dyslexia

• Tics

• Tourette’s Syndrome

• Memory Loss

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Some cases of Traumatic Brain Injury

• Panic and Anxiety Disorders

• Post Stroke Syndrome

Conditions unrelated to abnormal brainwave patterns include:

• Fear

• Anger/Defiance

• Selfishness

• “Melt Downs”

• Scattered Thoughts

• Intrusive Thoughts

• Dysfunctional Relationships

• Jealousy

• Unhappiness

Next: Research on SMR and seizures

BrainCore Neurofeedback - Train Your Brain!

I am happy to announce that my office, Nashville Brain and Spine in Nashville, Tennessee, has become an authorized BrainCore Neurofeedback Clinic. There are over eighty BrainCore Clinics in the US.

The purpose of this blog is to tell of research and other information about how people can learn to improve their brain function with neurofeedback.

First of all, neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback. Biofeedback is a method using electronic monitoring to give a person immediate and continuous signals on changes in body functions that they are not usually conscious of. Examples include blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, etc. With feedback however, conscious control of such functions can be learned.

Neurofeedback uses an EEG (electroencephalograph) to measure electrical brain waves. This is similar to an EKG (electrocardiogram) that is used to measure electrical heart activity.

In an EEG, small sensors are placed at specific sites on the scalp to record brainwave activity. The findings can then be used to design a brain training program. This typically consists of either increasing a particular brain wave there is too little of or decreasing one there is too much of, or some combination.

In neurofeedback training, the EEG information is displayed to the person in one form or another. One example, which is often used with children and adults with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), utilizes a video game or movie that is controlled by their brainwaves. When the person is producing the desired brainwave pattern, the video will play, but when not, the video and its sound will fade. With some time and practice, the person learns to keep the video playing thus improving brain function and decreasing their symptoms.

Research shows that people maintain their improvement and it is thought to be permanent. As the brain learns, new neural circuits are formed by a process known as neuroplasticity.  An example of this is learning to ride a bike.  At first, it is difficult, with practice and concentration necessary.  Once it is learned, however, you don’t have to consciously think about it, your brain already knows how to do it (through the new brain motor pathways you created) and you don’t have to relearn each time you ride a bike.

EEG neurofeedback has had success in improving a wide variety of conditions including insomnia, fibromyalgia/chronic pain, anxiety, ADHD, migraine/tension headache, PTST (post traumatic stress disorder), chronic fatigue and learning disorders, as well as improving performance in sports, music and learning. It is painless, non-invasive (no drugs or surgery) and without side effects.

A study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology (2001 Jul;57(7)933-52) found neurofeedback improved fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread and diffuse pain and is usually accompanied by poor sleep.

In the study, thirty fibromyalgia patients received EEG neurofeedback training. After the training, they reported improved mental clarity, mood and sleep along with decreased pain.

Pre to post treatment and extended follow-up comparisons of psychological and physical functioning measurements, fibromyalgia symptoms, and EEG activity demonstrated statistically significant improvement.

Next time: Brain wave types and their function, abnormal patterns with possible symptoms.