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Science behind Axon

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By:  Riya Biswas 

Imagine being able to monitor and train your brain activity from the comfort of your own home. This is possible with the use of home-based electroencephalography (EEG) technology. In this post, we’ll explore how a home-based Axon system works, discuss the science and technology behind the Axon system, and guide you through its applications in chronic pain management. Whether you’re a patient seeking new ways to manage pain or a clinician exploring alternative pain management strategies, we hope this provides valuable insights into this innovative approach.

Neuroplasticity and Pain Perception
The concept of neuroplasticity is fascinating — your brain can change and adapt throughout your life. This ability is crucial when it comes to managing chronic pain because it means we can potentially “rewire” the brain to process pain differently. You can read more about this topic in our  Understanding Chronic Pain blog.
You might be wondering, “What does this have to do with the Axon system?”
Well, the Axon headset is an EEG-based neurofeedback (NFB) device — a non-invasive device that helps individuals learn to regulate their brain activity. Axon system allows us to monitor your brain activity and, more importantly, train your brain to modify specific patterns that are associated with pain. Think of it as a workout but for your brain.

Alpha Wave: Brain Natural Pain Reliever
Our brain produces different patterns known as brain waves, each associated with different states of consciousness. These waves include delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma, and understanding their functions is essential for customising NFB treatment to target specific brain functions. While various NFB protocols can focus on regulating frequency bands like theta, alpha, or beta, the Axon system is uniquely designed to enhance alpha wave activity in the right sensorimotor cortex, a critical area linked to pain perception and neuropsychological functions. Alpha waves, which occur at a frequency of 8 to 13 Hz, play a significant role in reducing pain perception and promoting relaxation. Studies and clinical trials have shown that increasing alpha wave activity in this specific area can alleviate pain. The Axon system is designed to train the brain to maintain the alpha-enhanced, pain-relieving state, helping users experience longer-lasting pain relief. 

Axon Neurofeedback Treatment
Rewiring your brain doesn’t happen overnight; it requires commitment, consistency, and dedication. To achieve the best results, we recommend a comprehensive 12-week training program, with sessions carried out five times a week. Each session lasts about 30 minutes, with a focus on maintaining high intensity, particularly in the initial stages, to optimise brain adaptation. Although this may seem like a significant commitment, it’s important to maintain high-intensity training during the early stages. This intensity helps to initiate the rewiring process and ensure that you maximise the benefits that the system can provide, setting the foundation for long-term success.

The training process typically involves wearing the Axon headset and engaging in simple games designed to encourage alpha wave upregulation. The headset provides real-time feedback, in the form of visual and auditory signals, based on your performance. This feedback helps you to understand when you are successfully increasing alpha waves, essentially training the brain to enter a pain-reducing state. This feedback helps you learn to control your brain activity over time.

The Training Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

  • Initial Assessment: Before starting the NFB training, an initial assessment is conducted to determine the brain baseline activity. This helps to set up the training based on your baseline activity. You will also rate your health status (that includes pain, anxiety, depression, stress, activity, and sleep scores) as well as record your medication list. It’s like keeping your own pain diary.

Axon app’s interface for tracking key health metrics over time, including pain, anxiety, depression, stress, activity, and sleep.

  • Neurofeedback Training: During each NFB session, you’ll wear an Axon headset that captures electrical signals from your brain whilst you play games on your mobile or tablet. You’ll receive real-time feedback, which could be visual (like the game progressing) or auditory (such as sound effects within the game).
  • Monitoring Progress: You can keep track of your progress and observe your health status over time, as well as keep track of training sessions completed.
  • Maintenance Phase: Sustaining the benefits of NFB requires ongoing practice. Following the initial training of 12 weeks, it’s advisable to continue with periodic sessions, typically 2-3 times a week. This helps reinforce the brain’s ability to upregulate pain-relieving alpha waves, sustaining the improvements achieved during the initial training phase.

Axon Mechanisms of Pain Management
How does the Axon system help with pain management? Great question!
The mechanism by which the Axon system alleviates pain is multifaceted. The Axon NFB device, utilising upregulation of alpha wave protocol, offers several benefits for pain management:

  • ✓  Reduced Pain intensity: Increased alpha wave activity is associated with reduced pain intensity.
  • ✓  Improved Relaxation: Stress often exacerbates pain. Alpha waves promote a more relaxed state, indirectly helping to manage pain.
  • ✓  Improved Pain Coping Skills: Regular NFB training helps individuals develop better coping skills and potentially increase their sense of control over pain conditions.
  • ✓  Improved Mood: Increased alpha wave activity helps to improve mood. Better mood is often associated with higher pain tolerance and improved quality of life for chronic pain patients.
  • ✓  Improved Sleep: Increased alpha activity has shown potential for improving sleep quality. Better sleep can indirectly benefit pain management by improving overall well-being.
  • ✓  Decreased Dependency on Drugs: Some users in clinical trials have reported being able to reduce their pain medications after undergoing NFB training, leading to fewer side effects from medications.

This non-invasive approach controls the brain’s neuroplasticity to potentially reshape neural pathways involved in pain processing, offering a comprehensive method for pain management that addresses both physiological and psychological aspects of pain experience. To know more, check out all the case studies and clinical trial data published using the Axon system. 

Technology Behind Axon
Now, let’s geek out a bit about the technology behind Axon. The technology involved in the Axon system is interesting and complex. Below are the main components that enable the Axon system to function effectively:

Electrodes: These components are vital for detecting electrical activity in the brain. They are strategically placed on the scalp over the sensorimotor cortex area and are sensitive enough to pick up even the faintest electrical signals.
Filtering: Once brain activity is detected, the signals are then filtered to remove background noise and isolate the specific brain waves.

Signal Processing: Advanced algorithms process the filtered signals in real-time, identifying patterns and changes in brain activity.

Feedback Generation: Based on the processed data, the system generates immediate feedback. This could be visual or auditory.

Data Storage: Axon system stores all your session data for long-term tracking of your progress. This includes both your brain activity as well as pain or other health status-related scores.

The good thing about Axon device is that they look like regular headphones — lightweight, non-invasive, portable, and user-friendly — making it possible to perform NFB training from the comfort of your own home.

Conclusion: A promising future for Pain Management:

Axon system offers a promising non-pharmacological approach that combines neuroscience and technology to manage chronic pain. By utilising the brain’s neuroplasticity, the Axon system helps individuals train their brains to produce more alpha wave patterns, which are associated with reduced pain intensity. In summary, the EEG-based Axon system is not just an innovative approach but also part of a broader movement towards personalised and non-pharmacological treatment for chronic pain. It offers a promising alternative for individuals with chronic pain.

If you are living with chronic pain or a clinician seeking an innovative treatment, the Axon system may be worth exploring. To help you get there check out our website. Axon system is now available! Take control of your pain with Axon.  

Key Takeaways
  • Axon system is a home-based EEG Neurofeedback device targeting alpha waves to manage chronic pain.
  • 12 week Training Program, with five 30-minute sessions per week, is recommended for initial optimal results.
  • Axon system helps reduce pain intensity, improve mood and sleep, as well as may decrease reliance on medications.
  • Axon offers a non-pharmacological approach to chronic pain management from the comfort of home.

Disclaimer: As always, it’s important to consult with qualified professionals to determine the best approach for your pain management.

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