Your Brain Wave State is One of the Keys to Healing
I am big proponent using conscious mindfulness and self-awareness to teach the brain and body to relax and to put it into a healing state. I use it daily and teach it to others as a cornerstone to good health and happiness. We have science to back this up. Our brain wave state can predict if we are prone to developing chronic pain. If we are in a stress state- ie. more beta waves our mind-body complex is not idling and settled. It is racing and overthinking. It is very helpful to learn to access an alpha wave state on a daily basis.
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Alpha waves (8 to 12 Hz) are present when your brain is in an idling default-state typically created when you’re daydreaming or consciously practicing mindfulness or meditation. Alpha waves can also be created by doing aerobic exercise.
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Beta waves (12-30 Hz) typically dominate our normal waking states of consciousness and occur when attention is directed towards cognitive and other tasks. Beta is a ‘fast’ wave activity that is present when we are alert, attentive, focused, and engaged in problem solving or decision making. Depression and anxiety have also been linked to beta waves because they can lead to “rut-like” thinking patterns.
According to Andrew Furman, of the University of Maryland, “Alpha frequency has been found to be slower in individuals who have experienced chronic pain.” “It could be that the slowing of alpha activity in the chronic pain patients isn’t because of the pain, but rather these individuals had slow alpha frequency to begin with, and, as such, were more prone or vulnerable to developing pain.”
Work With Jim
Jim Prussack Jr., MPT, MMT
Jim Prussack Jr., MPT, MMT is a licensed physical therapist and chronic somatic symptom coach who has been treating pain and other somatic symptoms for over 20 years. He specializes in chronic pain and chronic health issues using a brain and nervous system approach.
