We all want the convenience that comes from a “magic pill” – a medication that will give us immediate relief from our troubles without any undesirable side effects. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for many and for some, they may be unwilling to risk adverse effects, particularly when considering treatment options for children. While I acknowledge the value of medications for some individuals, I am firmly of the belief that for many conditions, medications should not be used as the first option. Options such as neurotherapy can not only provide better and more durable results, but are able to do so with a much lower risk of negative side effects.

One of the first things to understand about medications is that they, by their very nature, act by “flooding” the brain with a chemical compound in order to attempt to compensate for neurological dysfunction and subsequently provide symptom relief. Medications have a global impact on the brain, and cannot target isolated regions of the brain where certain symptoms such as anxiety, poor focus, or decision-making reside. As a result, while medications can have a positive impact on specific symptoms, this inability to target only these areas is what often results in unwanted side effects because they are impacting other areas of the brain that may be unrelated to a person’s difficulties. Furthermore, since these medications are simply compensating for a brain’s imbalance and not directly addressing the underlying cause, any relief provided by these medications is typically temporary and symptoms will often return when an individual discontinues the drug.

Neurotherapy offers an alternative to medications that addresses many of these concerns. The primary benefit of neurotherapy is derived from its more targeted approach. These modalities of treatment allow practitioners to cater treatment to each person’s specific needs and neurological structure, which allows it to target specific regions of the brain while simultaneously minimizing the likelihood of side effects.

Furthermore, since neurotherapy addresses the issues at their source, they are able to achieve more durable and lasting results than medications. Instead of simply using medications to compensate for a neurological deficit, neurotherapy actually changes the underlying structure of the brain by “training” the neurons of the brain to function in more optimal ways. By utilizing the brain’s natural neuroplasticity, the positive effects of neurotherapy are typically long-lasting and do not require continued treatment or boosters.

While neurotherapy is far from the “magic pill” that can provide instant relief, it offers a safer and more durable treatment option than prescription medications. While medications may have to be part of the daily routine for some, if there is a way to provide long-term relief without the risk and consequences of prescription drugs, why wouldn’t we consider that to be the first course of action? Neurotherapy provides us with that opportunity.