Athletes constantly seek ways to push their limits and achieve peak performance. Neurofeedback has emerged as a promising technique to enhance athletic abilities by targeting the brain's neural activity and improving its regulation. Here are some key insights:
CT Scans After Traumatic Brain Injury
When someone experiences a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), such as a concussion, a CT scan or Computed Tomography scan, is often performed to check for bleeding or other serious brain injuries. While other assessments may be used first, CT imaging is commonly ordered if the patient is evaluated in a hospital setting. CT scans, are advanced imaging tests that use X-rays and computer technology to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. By measuring how different tissues absorb radiation, CT scans reveal variations in tissue density, expressed in Hounsfield Units. This allows doctors to clearly visualize bones, organs, blood vessels, and detect critical conditions such as tumors, internal bleeding, and blockages. Standard CT scans do not show brain function—they only show brain structure.
Special Considerations for Children
Though CT Scans provide detailed images of the brain’s anatomy, helping detect issues like bleeding, tumors, or swelling, they can be especially harmful for children due to the radiation that is part of this test. Children are more sensitive to radiation exposure because:
For this reason, healthcare providers carefully weigh the benefits and risks before ordering a CT scan for pediatric patients.
The WAVI scan machine that is utilized at Beautiful Minds offers an alternative to CT scans and the harmful ionizing radiation that is used. While CT scans provide detailed images of the brain’s structure, WAVI scans measure brain function in real time. This offers critical insights into whether an athlete recovering from a concussion is truly ready to return to play.
Research shows that symptom resolution alone may not always reflect full recovery, highlighting the importance of thorough and multi-faceted evaluation. WAVI brain scans provide objective neurophysiological data that supports individualized treatment planning and offers measurable benchmarks to guide and confirm full neurological recovery.
WAVi combines EEG with evoked response potentials (ERP) to provide objective data that can complement subjective reports and standard clinical evaluations.
Concussions are common in sports and their proper management is essential for an athlete's well-being. Neurofeedback plays a crucial role in post-concussion treatment, offering a non-invasive and drug-free approach to recovery. Consider the following:
wavimed.com
Please reach us at info@beautifulmindfcc.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Neurofeedback after a concussion is a way to help your brain heal and work more like it used to. When someone has a concussion, the brain can get “stuck” in survival mode and have trouble switching back to normal functioning, especially under stress. Even if things seem fine day-to-day, stress can bring back symptoms.
Neurofeedback uses your brain’s own signals to guide it toward healthier patterns. Each plan is customized for the person and may include extra support like improving blood flow or addressing fear responses from the injury. For example, if an athlete lost consciousness during a game, that memory can create hidden fear that affects performance later. We work on those areas too.
At the clinic, we look at the whole picture and not just one approach, so healing can happen in the best way for you.
We usually start with 10 sessions to see how your brain responds and how well it can break the patterns caused by the concussion. Every brain heals differently, so the total number of sessions depends on how long the injury has been there and how your brain adapts. After the first 10 sessions, we’ll review your progress and decide what’s next.
We also use the latest concussion research and advanced tools to support healing, not just for the injury itself, but also for any pain or fear connected to what happened on the field.
Yes! Every athlete gets a treatment plan within the first two sessions. This plan explains the steps for healing and recovery. Sometimes, more than one plan is needed because we take a whole-person approach. We also work with other professionals, like doctors and physical therapists, so your athlete gets the most complete care possible.
There’s no strict rule, but we recommend starting as soon as possible, especially if symptoms like headaches, vision problems, or stress responses continue after the first week. Neurofeedback is gentle and helps your brain shift out of “survival mode” and back to normal functioning.
It’s never too late! Even if your concussion happened years ago, Neurofeedback can still help. The brain can stay stuck in survival patterns for a long time, and this process helps break those patterns. We also support emotional recovery and help athletes adjust to changes in sports or life after injury.
Yes! We use advanced technology called Wavi Med, which measures brain function with high accuracy using an auditory P300 test. Research shows this tool is even more precise than traditional medical diagnostics for detecting concussion effects and lingering symptoms. This technology helps us make sure your athlete is truly ready before returning to play. (For more information, check out their website: https://wavimed.com/)