Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion

Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion Treatment that Gets Results

MeRT Treatment Non-Invasive and No Medications

If you or someone you love has ever experienced a traumatic brain injury, you know how difficult it can be to recover. You can experience headaches, dizziness, nausea, memory problems, and more.

These symptoms may go away over time after a mild concussion. But sometimes the TBI — and the symptoms — are more severe. And they don’t get better, despite treatments and medications.

That’s when life often becomes unbearable. And that’s when you need a different solution. A new solution. One that has helped thousands overcome the painful, debilitating symptoms of traumatic brain injury.

Now, we have that solution. It’s called MeRT, or Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy. Dr. Jennifer J. Sosnowski delivers this powerful, life-changing technology right here at MVP Medical Care.

Simply stated, MeRT uses a magnetic field to stimulate and balance brain function. And it can result in successes like this:

“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 just completed my sixth week of treatment. A conservative estimate is that I have had a 60–70% reduction of the symptoms I listed above and have a whole new lease on life. I can focus, feel confident, and laugh again. Most importantly, I can feel the love for and from my family again.” – David

If you’ve had a Traumatic Brain Injury or a Concussion and You’re Not Recovering, Contact Our Clinic Today.

Call us: 480.588.7787

What is Traumatic Brain Injury?

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) defines Traumatic Brain Injury, or 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.”

TBIs can range from severe — like a gunshot — to mild — such as a blow to the head or body. A mild TBI can also be called a concussion, which the Mayo Clinic defines as “a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function. Effects are usually temporary but can include headaches and problems with concentration, memory, balance, and coordination.”

However, while a TBI may be medically referred to as “mild” since it’s not life-threatening, the results can be anything but mild. When your head suddenly hits an object or when it moves violently back and forth (like in a car accident), your brain can bounce around or twist in the skull. As a result, this can also cause chemical changes in your brain or brain cell damage. So, while the concussion may not be immediately life-threatening, the changes it makes to your brain may last a lifetime.

MeRT Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury

 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) 

TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. It works the same for every patient, stimulating one area of the brain at a fixed frequency, for every patient. But, MeRT is a more evolved procedure: It is highly individualized as to frequency and location based on thorough initial testing and evaluation.

The FDA has cleared the equipment used in MeRT to treat medication-resistant depression, and it may also be used for other medical disorders, including traumatic brain injury and other brain disorders.

Before starting any MeRT treatment, we perform a quantitative EEG to determine the exact frequency of a patient’s brain. Then we carefully analyze our initial tests to assess the brain’s pattern of function and activity. With this information, we can devise a highly personalized plan for each patient. Patients have reported feeling significant clinical improvements.*

“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.

Find out how MeRT May Help You Recover from Your TBI or Concussion. Contact Our Clinic Today.

Call us: 480.588.7787

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

“What we’re finding is that the brain responds to insult the same way, whether it’s chronic sleep deprivation, whether it’s the mechanical injury of head-to-head contact repeatedly on a football field, or whether it’s being exposed to repeated blast injuries in the military or just direct contact with IEDs. 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 just a fact of life and there’s not a lot that we can do. I think we’re starting to get down to, at a foundational level, the root cause of mechanisms of injury, which 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 your symptoms can range from mild to severe. In milder cases, you may have only a brief change of mental state. Additionally, you can have a mild TBI and not experience loss of consciousness.

Severe cases of TBI can result in long periods of unconsciousness, even coma or death. In the worst cases, people with severe TBI must be hospitalized, sometimes long-term. In these situations, the patient may need rehabilitation for memory, learning, coordination, speech, other senses, and even emotions.

So, whether it’s severe, mild, or somewhere in between, a traumatic brain injury can affect all aspects of your life: 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

A traumatic brain injury can often cause brain swelling, hematoma (blood clot), or bleeding within the brain. Thus, anyone with a TBI or concussion should be taken to the emergency room as soon as possible, even if there’s no loss of consciousness. Early intervention is crucial to help avoid complications and to avoid the injury worsening.

Long-term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury

If left untreated, a Traumatic Brain Injury can lead to a shortened life span and significant complications. According to the Journal of Neurotrauma:

“Traumatic brain injury (TBI) produces both acute and more chronic consequences that lead to permanent disabilities that increase long-term mortality and reduced life expectancy.”

As the Journal of Neurotrauma explains, untreated TBI can result in various secondary pathological conditions. These can include seizures, severe sleep issues, nervous system diseases, endocrine disorders, and psychiatric problems.

According to the Journal, of those with a moderate head injury, approximately 60% will make a positive recovery, and 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.)

Who’s Most at Risk for a Traumatic Brain Injury or Concussion?

Often, athletes who participate in contact sports such as football and experience multiple “head hits” are at risk for TBIs. Because of the multiple head hits, the impacts can affect the brain and cause cumulative damage over time, resulting in post-concussive disorder.

Also, members of the military are also commonly affected. Most of the time, these injuries will occur by direct hits to the head and repeated exposures to the forces of “blast injuries.”

As well as, older adults are at higher risk for TBI because, as they age, they become more prone to falls.

Children and teens are at higher risk since they’re more active in sports and other physical activities.

“I’m back!  My TBI turned me into someone I barely recognized. I was depressed, mean, and short-tempered.  I pushed through life filled with frustration and a deep sense of sadness that this was it…. I’m so glad I was wrong. I think my direct reports and family are even more thankful. This treatment changed everything, and I am forever thankful.”  – 41-year-old male with TBI, Executive, 2017

Wondering if MeRT Can Help You or Someone You Love? Contact Our Clinic Today.

Call us: 480.588.7787

Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment:

What to Expect on your First Visit

Starting as a new patient at MVP Medical Care initially involves two appointments, each lasting about 45 minutes to an hour. Your first appointment is for testing, and your second appointment is for your consultation with Dr. Sosnowski.

We will collect your new patient paperwork at the first appointment, and our neurotechnician will complete your qEEG (quantitative Electroencephalogram) and EKG testing. Above all, this test is simple and painless: We place a cap on your head to measure the electrical activity in your brain and map out any areas which are not performing as they should. At the same time, we also place a lead on your chest to capture the EKG data.

We perform this test right in our office, then send the data to our scientists and clinical teams. Along with Dr. Sosnowski, they carefully analyze the test results to identify any dysregulation occurring in the brain. After a careful review, based on their analysis, we develop a treatment plan customized to your specific condition and schedule your assessment period of treatment.

Your second appointment, after your qEEG/EKG, is a consultation with Dr. Sosnowski. She will answer any questions you may have and let you know more about what to expect during your assessment period of treatment. Before doing so, he will also go over your medical history, along with symptoms.

Assessment Periods

The assessment period of treatment lasts two weeks and begins on a Monday. Typically, treatment for the first week occurs Monday through Friday. Then, the second week of treatment occurs Monday through Thursday. After, the repeat qEEG/EKG is completed on Friday to measure progress.

During this time, we closely monitor any clinical changes, and the qEEG/EKG confirms what changes are occurring in the brain. Typically, treatment sessions last 30-45 minutes each day.

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

However, 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.

Once we have completed the appropriate assessment period, and you are noting improvements in brain function, we will schedule additional MeRT treatment in two-week intervals. Then, at the end of every two weeks, we will perform a qEEG/EKG to monitor your progress. After, you consult with Dr. Sosnowski to confirm that changes are still showing on the testing.

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

Insurance Coverage

We do not accept insurance at our clinic, nor do we file it on your behalf. However, in some cases, insurance can be used to treat Major Depressive Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Otherwise, we are happy to provide you with the appropriate paperwork at the end of your treatment period. After, you can then submit the paperwork to your insurance company to see if they will offer 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). Currently, treatment for all other conditions is 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 some 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

Often, it’s normal for patients and their families affected by brain disorders to feel frustrated and isolated. Because of this, you may have lost hope that there is any relief in sight. But there IS hope, MeRT has helped many patients restore brain function and feel passionate about living again.

We understand what you may be going through, and our goal is to help guide you through the healing process. Because of this, we strive to provide you with quality care in a warm and compassionate environment.

In many cases, MeRT clinicians and technicians have gone through treatment protocols themselves. Therefore, they know first-hand what the treatment can do. Thus, we are very passionate about helping others to heal.

When needed, our New Patient Coordinator is available to answer any questions that you may have. Here, she’ll take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, explain costs, and put your mind at ease. If you do decide to move forward with treatment, she will be happy to set you up and schedule for your first appointment.

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.

Call us: 480.588.7787

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