Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussions

A New Approach to Treating TBIs and Concussions:
This Drug-Free, Noninvasive Treatment is getting Results for Patients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area

46 Different Specialists, 29 Treatments, 40 Medications—Nothing Helped.
Then he Tried a NEW Treatment for his Traumatic Brain Injury.

David suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury in 2011. As a result of his injuries, he had become unable to help his wife care for their home or their two young children. His persistent symptoms included:

severe daily headaches
intense neck pain
severe light sensitivity
tension headaches that radiated into his jaw
nausea
acid reflux
sciatica in his left leg
excessive sweating with no physical exertion
poor or no sleep
angry outbursts
uncontrollable anxiety
deep depression
low concentration and memory loss

He was desperate.

For the next five years, he saw 46 different specialists.

These specialists prescribed 29 different treatments, from physical therapy to sensory deprivation tanks, meditation to biofeedback, and several diverse diets. However, nothing worked.

And during these years, his prescriptions included over 40 different medications and supplements. By the summer of 2016, he added a drug addiction to his list of issues.

Then he discovered MeRT, Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy. We’ll let him tell you what happened:

Everything changed when I started treatment. Within two weeks, I was sleeping better. I was off all 12 of the meds I was on when I began treatment, and I was starting to enjoy life again. After the first month, I was socializing with people again. I was able to work out for the first time in years, and I started to help my wife with the bills and our budget. As I write this, I completed my sixth week of treatment. I have had a 60–70% reduction of the symptoms I listed above and have a whole new lease on life. I can focus and feel good about myself. My confidence is back. I laugh again. Most importantly, I can feel the love for and from my family again.”

This powerful, life-changing technology is available from Dr. Thomas Geraci at Summit Brain Health in San Carlos, California. Simply stated, MeRT uses a magnetic field to stimulate and balance brain function, guided by sophisticated imaging and diagnostics.

If you’ve had a Traumatic Brain Injury or a Concussion and you are not Recovering,

Contact Our Clinic Today.

Our New Patient Coordinator is ready to assist you with your questions.

Call us: 650-750-1529

What is TBI?

The CDC defines a TBI, as “a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury.”

You may get a TBI when your head hits an object, or when an object pierces your skull and enters brain tissue. You can also get a TBI without a direct blow to the head. In a car accident, for example, your head may move violently and then snap back. This rapid movement can injure your brain as it jostles around inside your skull.

A Concussion, as defined by the Mayo Clinic, is “TBI that affects your brain function. Effects are usually temporary but effects can be other, ongoing issues. Headaches, problems with concentration, memory, balance, and coordination are just a few. Concussions are usually caused by a blow to the head.” Therefore, TBI and Concussion are interchangeable terms.

MeRT Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury or Concussion

MeRT, or Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy, is a cutting-edge treatment that combines:

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS, an FDA cleared therapy),
Quantitative Electroencephalogram (qEEG), and
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) to analyze and treat tailored to each patient’s unique brain pattern.

TMS modulates the brain’s electrical activity using magnetic fields that pass through the scalp from an electromagnetic coil. And TMS delivers stimulation to one area of the brain at a fixed frequency for all patients. MeRT, however, is a more evolved procedure, since treatment is individualized with frequency and location based on your test results.

The FDA has cleared the equipment used in MeRT to treat medication-resistant depression. It is also used for traumatic brain injury and other brain disorders.

The first part of any MeRT treatment is a qEEG to determine the exact frequency of the patient’s brain. We then analyze our initial tests to assess the brain’s pattern of function and activity.

Using this information, we can then devise a personalized protocol for each patient to encourage improved brain communication. As a result, patients have reported feeling significant clinical improvements.*

Treatment for TBI or Concussion usually lasts six weeks. Appointments are 30-45 minutes in length, Monday through Friday. Most patients begin to notice improvements during the first week. And once we complete your TBI treatment with MeRT, there is not usually a need for any follow-up treatment.*

I’m two or three months past my last treatment, and I can honestly say my brain is in a better place than it was before. The emotional highs and lows I was living with have stabilized. My cognition took off during that period, and it hasn’t slowed down since.” – Nick Hardwick (Retired NFL Center, Chargers)

* Results are based on active and strict observation of our regimens. Results may vary based on the individual user and are not guaranteed.

“The brain seems to be responding to these injuries in the same way…”

Dr. Erik Won, President & Chief Medical Officer at Wave Neuroscience

“What we’re finding is that the brain responds to insult the same way. It can be chronic sleep deprivation or the mechanical injury of head-to-head contact on a football field. Additionally, the brain can be exposed to repeated blast injuries in the military. Or, it can be from a blow to the head of any kind. The brain seems to be responding to these injuries the same way. …

“For so many years now, there’s been this feeling of helplessness that concussions are a fact of life and there’s not a lot that we can do. I think we’re starting to get to the root cause of mechanisms of injury. This will lead us down the pathway of finding solutions.”

– Dr. Erik Won, President of Wave Neuroscience, from his appearance on the Broken Brain podcast

Do you have a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or Concussion?

TBI or Concussion can be hard to diagnose, as symptoms can range from mild to severe. In milder cases, you may have only a brief alteration in your mental state. Additionally, you can have a TBI and not experience loss of consciousness. But, in moderate to severe cases, loss of consciousness usually occurs.

Severe cases of TBI can result in long periods of unconsciousness, even coma or death. People with severe TBI have to be hospitalized, sometimes long-term. They may need rehab for memory, learning, coordination, speech, and even for emotions. The injury can affect all aspects of your life. These can include relationships, work, even the ability to complete routine daily activities.

TBI Symptoms (depending on the severity of the injury):

Some of the more common symptoms that can occur with a Traumatic Brain Injury or Concussion include:

Loss of consciousness
Headaches
Fatigue or lethargy
Dilated pupils and vision changes
Dizziness
Memory problems
Confusion
Cognitive decline
Inappropriate emotional responses
Anger
Depression
Feeling of isolation
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
Anxiety or panic attacks
Facial weakness
Weakness or loss of function in other parts of the body
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Breathing problems
Numbness and tingling in different parts of the body
Loss of hearing or tinnitus

Often a TBI can cause brain swelling, hematoma (blood clot), or bleeding within the brain. Sometimes it can be life-threatening. Anyone with a TBI or concussion of any kind should go to the emergency room as soon as possible. Early intervention is crucial. This is to help avoid complications and to avoid the injury worsening.

What are Some of the Long-term Effects of TBI/Concussion?

Treatment for TBI or Concussion is vital. If left untreated, a TBI can lead to a shortened life span and significant complications. According to the Journal of Neurotrauma:

TBI produces both acute and more chronic consequences that lead to permanent disabilities. This can increase long-term mortality and reduced life expectancy.”

The Journal goes on to explain that untreated TBI can result in secondary pathological conditions. This can include seizures, sleep disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, endocrine dysregulation, and psychiatric problems.

With a moderate head injury, approximately 60% will make a positive recovery. An estimated 25% will have moderately impaired function. Those with severe injuries will have moderate to severe disability. 33% of those with severe head traumas will not survive, and the ones who do survive might end up in a vegetative state. (These statistics apply to closed head injuries.)

MeRT Treatment Featured on The Broken Brain Podcast

Mark Hyman, M.D., is an esteemed functional medicine physician and best-selling author. He founded the Cleveland Clinic Functional Medicine Clinic. He also created an ongoing podcast called The Broken Brain. This podcast focuses on anything that could affect the brain and health.

MeRT was on an episode of The Broken Brain as a new treatment for patients suffering from TBIs. Post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, were also featured.

Dr. Erik Won from the Brain Treatment Center speaks about using MeRT to treat members of the military. These are soldiers who have had TBIs, or who have experienced PTSD as a result of their experiences. He highlights the many incredible successes of using this treatment.

If you or someone you know has experienced any of these conditions, we recommend you listen to this presentation.

TBI Treatment: What to Expect on your First Visit

Starting as a new patient at Summit Brain Health initially involves two appointments, both of which are about 45 minutes to an hour in length. Your first appointment is when your testing takes place, and the second appointment is when you have your consultation with Dr. Geraci.

Testing

At the first appointment, we will collect your new patient paperwork, and our neurotechnician will complete your qEEG and EKG testing. During this test, we place a cap on your head to measure the electrical activity in your brain and map out any areas not performing as they should. We also place a lead on your chest to capture the EKG data.

This testing is simple and painless, and we perform it right here in our office, then send the data to our scientists and clinical teams. They, along with Dr. Geraci, carefully analyze the test results to identify any dysregulation occurring in the brain. Based on their analysis, we develop a treatment plan customized to your specific condition and schedule your assessment period of treatment.

Consultation and Assessment

Your second appointment, after your qEEG/EKG, is a consultation with Dr. Geraci. He will be able to answer any questions that you may have and let you know more about what to expect during your assessment period of treatment. He will also go over your medical history, along with symptoms.

The assessment period of treatment lasts for two weeks and begins on a Monday. Treatment for the first week occurs Monday through Friday, and for the second week occurs Monday through Thursday. Then, on Friday of the second week, we perform another qEEG/EKG to measure progress.

During the assessment period, we closely monitor any clinical changes you may be realizing, and the qEEG/EKG confirms what changes are occurring in the brain. The treatment sessions generally last 30 to 45 minutes each day.

If you are a patient who will be traveling from out of town, we aim to schedule your qEEG/EKG on a Friday, then schedule your consultation and first treatment session for the following Monday.

For patients who prefer to have their first and second appointments before deciding to move forward with treatment, we are happy to work with you on this.

After we complete the appropriate assessment period and you’re noting improvements in brain function, we will schedule additional MeRT treatment in two-week intervals. At the end of every two weeks, we will perform another qEEG/EKG to monitor your progress. You will then have a consultation with Dr. Geraci to confirm that changes are still showing on the testing.

Most conditions treated with MeRT provide noticeable and long-lasting results after four to eight weeks of treatment. However, each patient is different, and results may vary.

Insurance Coverage

We do not accept insurance at our clinic, nor do we file it on your behalf. We are happy to provide you with the appropriate paperwork at the end of your treatment period so that you can submit it to your insurance company to see if they will provide any reimbursement. Please note, however, that neither Medicare nor Medicaid offer any reimbursement coverage for MeRT treatment.

Currently, the equipment used with the MeRT process has been FDA-cleared for the treatment of Depression and OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). Treatment for all other conditions is currently considered “off label.” Texas A&M University is now completing final testing and studies for FDA clearance for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion. However, clearance is likely an additional two years away.

For non-FDA cleared treatment, it is unlikely that your insurance company will provide you with any reimbursement for MeRT.

Contact Our New Patient Coordinator for More Information

Life can be frustrating and isolating for those affected by brain disorders—and their loved ones. In fact, many have lost hope for any relief. However, there IS hope: MeRT has helped many patients restore their brain function, reclaim their lives, and feel passionate about living again.

We understand what you may be experiencing, and our goal is to help guide you through the healing process. To that end, we will provide you with quality care in a warm and compassionate environment.

It’s important to note that many of the clinicians and technicians employed by various clinics that offer MeRT have gone through treatment protocols themselves and have realized first-hand what the treatment has done for them. As a result, they are passionate about helping you to heal.

Our New Patient Coordinator is available to answer questions about how MeRT can help you or your child. During your call, she’ll take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, explain costs, and put your mind at ease. She can also assist you in getting scheduled should you decide to move forward with treatment.

Call Us Today. We are Here to Help.

Our New Patient Coordinator will take the time to answer your questions,
listen to your concerns, and explain our procedures.

A New Approach to Treating TBIs and Concussions:
This Drug-Free, Noninvasive Treatment is getting Results for Patients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area

46 Different Specialists, 29 Treatments, 40 Medications—Nothing Helped.
Then he Tried a NEW Treatment for his Traumatic Brain Injury.

He was desperate.