Migraine Treatment and Prevention with pIR HEG

SERIES #6

Migraine Treatment and Prevention with pIR HEG

Friday, March 18th, 2022
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Passive infrared Hemoencephalography (pIR HEG) was developed by Dr. Carmen, and is a biofeedback system which helps one modulate blood flow and oxygenation to the frontal lobes of the brain. One of the most extensive HEG studies was carried out by Dr. Carmen, whose research focused on migraine headaches, was published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Neurotherapy in 2004.

This technique is an enjoyable, active form of biofeedback. A comfortable, surface sensor is placed on the forehead while the patient watches a movie of their choice on the computer. The surface sensor picks up and reads the blood flow activity (thermal heat) in the frontal lobes of the brain. The information is transmitted through cables via a USB based bio- interface unit. The software then “feeds back” this data to the client through the digital video display, DVD. Dr. Carmen has taught hundreds of students in this method and continues to offer this in his practice in rural New York.

In this session, Dr. Carmen will present specific details on the nature of his pIR HEG system, along with operational paradigms and specific pIR HEG treatment approaches. In addition he will talk about pitfalls of using the system in a manner that does not match the needs of the client.

Objectives:

  • The participant will be able to identify those headache types that are likely to benefit from pIR HEG.
  • The participant will be able to explain the basic mechanisms involved in the application of pIR HEG to headaches.
  • The participant will be able to explain potential positive and negative side effects of proper/improper use of pIR HEG.

Jeff Carmen

PRESENTER

Jeffrey Carmen

PhD

Jeffrey Carmen has been in practice as a licensed psychologist for over 40 years. His practice specializes in Behavioral Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology where Biofeedback/Neurofeedback procedures are used as part of the treatment process in most cases.

Although for many years he has treated a variety of disorders such as: migraine headaches, tension-type headaches, Raynaud’s, pain syndromes, hypertension, ADHD, he has also provided specific stress management training for the management of the pain and exhaustion associated with many chronic diseases. Additionally, he has treated many patients for the symptoms associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and other inflammatory disorders.

Since 2015 he has limited his practice to the evaluation and treatment of headaches, especially migraine headaches.

He provides hardware and procedural consultation to other professionals on biofeedback/neurofeedback applications for clients who present difficult treatment problems. Jeff is the developer of Passive Infrared Hemoencephalography. This is a process for reinforcing brain activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is the region responsible for executive functions. He also developed the use of infrared imaging for the real time analysis of prefrontal cortical brain activity.