COVID-19 After Care

Because vaccines are now widely available, COVID-19 is no longer the severe threat it once was. However, not everyone is vaccinated and new strains have developed that are resistant to the vaccines. Unfortunately, many people afflicted with the virus are still suffering after-effects that have adversely affected their quality of health and life. There have also been many unknowns with COVID-19, and treating the people who are suffering from after-effects (sometimes referred to as “long haulers”) has also left some of the medical community baffled regarding how to provide healing and relief.

According to an article by Johns Hopkins Medical Center, those who have been in the ICU can also suffer from PICS, or Post-Intensive Care Syndrome, which can cause long-term physical, mental, and psychological complications.

MeRT® has helped those suffering from lingering symptoms to experience some relief.

Call Our New Patient
Coordinator to Learn More

It’s not only physical symptoms that can linger. COVID-19 affects everyone differently; some were severely sick, hospitalized, and died. Others experienced only mild symptoms. However, as time marches on, we are learning that regardless of how sick someone gets, they can still experience symptoms long after testing negative for the virus. Time and research show that after-effects from COVID-19 mainly affect the brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys. Regardless of whether you were hospitalized or not, complications can include:

Shortness of breath
Muscle weakness
Fatigue
Widespread inflammation
Changes in thinking
Memory issues
Severe brain fog
Insomnia

Anxiety
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
Substance abuse
Changes in eating habits
Suicidal ideation
Cognitive impairment
Depression or Major Depression Disorder

COVID-19 Has Affected Everyone

Just about everyone has dealt with COVID, even if they didn’t actually get sick. The pandemic wreaked havoc on our economy and left many without jobs for long periods of time. Social distancing, isolation, and loss of “normal” life have greatly affected mental health across the world. And sadly, so many people lost loved ones who were sick, and/or had to deal with leaving family members alone to recover in hospitals. A study published by the NIH (National Institute of Health) in June 2020, which was relatively early on, showed that the following mental health conditions were on the rise:

31% increase in depression/anxiety
13% increase in substance abuse
26% increase in “stress-related symptoms”
11% increase in thoughts of suicide

These increases from June 2020 were double what they were in our pre-pandemic world. We are now in 2022 and based on how much worse the pandemic became, it’s pretty safe to say that those numbers have likely increased even more.

While we don’t have exact statistics yet, we know that those with pre-existing mental health issues were at greater risk of being affected. We also know that not much emphasis has been placed on the “mental health pandemic” caused either directly or indirectly by COVID, such as Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Insomnia, etc.

The Brain Treatment Center in Newport Beach Can Help!

At The Brain Treatment Center, we use a state-of-the-art treatment called Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy (MeRT), which is non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical.

MeRT is an emerging technology that aims to improve brain function and communication. The equipment used is FDA-cleared to treat Major Depressive Disorder and OCD and is used off-label to treat a wide variety of conditions.

MeRT has been used for years at our clinic to treat patients suffering from brain dysregulation that occurs from illnesses such as:

How Can MeRT Help?

MeRT has also been used to treat other conditions, such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke recovery. So, not only can it help to treat mental health conditions, but we can also use it to treat physical conditions, including inflammation in the brain tissue from being infected from COVID-19. All of these conditions (mental, emotional, physical) cause dysregulation in the brain which will show up on a qEEG, which is the cornerstone of our treatment.

MeRT is not a cure for permanent brain damage that the virus may have caused, but it can help to alleviate inflammation, dysregulation as a result, and symptoms originating from it. The effects of treatment are long-term.

Each person’s brain is as unique to them as their fingerprints. MeRT protocols are generated by examining brain wave patterns via the qEEG. A brain wave analysis isolates specific areas of the brain that are not functioning or communicating as they should. We then use this data to create a specific treatment plan for each individual, which is aimed at restoring healthy brain communication and function again.

Once the qEEG has been completed, we can see what is and is not functioning properly in the brain. We use this data to treat each patient by using a set of magnets that are placed on the patient’s scalp, which sends gentle magnetic signals into the brain that causes a reorganization and restoration of the brain waves which stimulates and organizes the function of neurons. This process is referred to as neuromodulation.

Common Benefits Experienced from MeRT**

** Results and improvements are based on strict and active observation of our regimens. Results vary and can vary based on the individual patient, and are not guaranteed.

Call Our New Patient
Coordinator to Learn More

The MeRT Process

MeRT (Magnetic E (EKG and EEG) Resonance Therapy is a treatment protocol that evolved from a technology called TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) or rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). However, MeRT is a more customized approach because it is only able to target specific locations in the brain with a wide range of frequencies. It is a non-pharmaceutical and non-invasive treatment.

Studies have shown altered brain wave oscillations in patients suffering from conditions such as Major Depression Disorder (MDD), Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, and more. MeRT treatment protocol uses a magnetic field to balance and stimulate brain function. The technology involves using very sophisticated diagnostics and imaging so that the treatment is customized for each individual. Then, we tailor a personalized protocol based on the location, frequency, and amount of power used by the magnet, specific to each person’s unique condition. MeRT can improve brain communication and synchronization, and can lead to significant and long-lasting improvements.

Click through these simple 5-Steps in the horizontal menu below…

Talk with our New Patient Coordinator
Initial Analysis
Assessment Period
Full Treatment Program
Final Testing

Talk with our New Patient Coordinator

Our New Patient Coordinator is here to help

Call us and talk with our New Patient Coordinator. She will take the time to answer any questions you have as explain things. You can discuss your specific circumstances and she can explain how it all works.

This consultation is free of charge and there are no obligations to move forward with any further steps.

If you would like to take the next steps to see if you or your loved one may benefit from MeRT, she can schedule a qEEG (brain scan) and a consultation to discuss the results with our clinician.

Call (949) 868-0006

Initial Analysis

The qEEG and Consultation

If you are interested in seeing if MeRT treatment is right for you, we will initially schedule two appointments, both of which last about 45 minutes.

This simply involves a qEEG (quantitative EEG or brain scan), followed by a consultation with our clinician a few days later to see your results before making any decisions about treatment or proceeding with anything further.

For the initial analysis, you will come in for a comprehensive testing appointment. We will gather your new patient paperwork, and then our chief neuro technician will perform a qEEG and EKG to enable us to identify any dysfunction or communication problems in your brain.

Your second appointment usually runs about 45 minutes. During this time, you will meet with one of our clinicians, Kayleigh Prowse or Sheila Stephens, for your consultation. She will discuss your qEEG results, answer any questions you may have and discuss your applicable treatment plan. Dr. Julie Kim, our Medical Director, oversees all treatment for each patient.

Should you decide to proceed with treatment, we will schedule your assessment period.

Assessment Period

Two Weeks of MeRT followed by new testing

The assessment period of treatment lasts two weeks. This assessment period will help you — and us — determine how you are responding to treatment.

You will have your initial qEEG/EKG and then attend treatment sessions for two weeks. The first week will be Monday through Friday, and the second week, Monday through Thursday, nine sessions in total, followed by a repeat qEEG to determine progress and note any changes occurring in your brain.

A typical treatment session takes about 45 minutes. You will sit in a chair while the neuro-technician administers the treatment near the scalp via a hand-held magnet. We deliver gentle magnetic impulses for six to eight seconds each minute. You may feel a slight sensation while the treatment is occurring, but it is not painful or uncomfortable.

Full Treatment Program

Continuing Treatment

Once the assessment period is complete, we will schedule the subsequent two-week treatment periods. Because each treatment period lasts for two weeks, you must be able to stay in Newport Beach or the surrounding area for each 2-week treatment period.

The comparison between the initial and second qEEG/clinical evaluation will often show if you are responding. You may also start to experience changes in the way you are feeling during this time. For some, it takes longer before changes are more obvious. We highly advise a total of six to eight weeks of treatment (which includes the assessment period) for optimal and long-lasting results.

Since each brain is unique, the protocol will be different for each patient as it is based on specific qEEG/EKG data from your brain, and the specific condition being treated. Generally, the results of treatment can last a lifetime, though some people prefer occasional follow-up treatment as needed. But each person is different, and protocols may vary. Your provider will have regularly scheduled follow-up EEGs and meet with you to gauge your progress.

Final Testing

Review of Changes and Improvements

An additional qEEG is performed at the end of treatment to assess and take stock of the benefits and improvements that have occurred as a result of the full treatment protocol.

Please note that results and improvements are based on active and strict observation of our regimens. Results may vary based on the individual users and are not guaranteed. Plus, the results of therapy can vary per individual. In general, the longer the length of MeRT therapy, the longer the changes remain.

Insurance Coverage

We are an in-network provider with TRICARE. If you have TRICARE insurance, it is possible that your policy may provide coverage for you or a family member, depending on your specific policy and condition. Our New Patient Coordinator can discuss this with you in further detail.

For all other insurance, we are out of network and cannot file insurance on your behalf. We can provide you with the appropriate paperwork at the end of your treatment. You can submit it to your insurance company to see if they would provide you with any reimbursement. Unfortunately, we cannot see patients who have Medicare for Medicaid.

Currently, rTMS is FDA-approved for Depression and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Treatment for all other conditions is considered “off-label.” For non-FDA-approved treatment, it is not likely that insurance will provide reimbursement for our protocols.

Some patients have reported that they have been able to receive some reimbursement for EEGs or clinical evaluations. But this depends on their health coverage.

We take all major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

Care Credit is also an option to help finance medical expenses. This is a separate company from The Brain Treatment Center in Newport Beach. Care Credit is a credit card that can cover medical expenses and services, and they typically offer zero-interest financing for 12 months.

Usually, when you go to the Care Credit website and apply, they will let you know if you’ve received approval.

Contact Our New Patient
Coordinator for more Information

It’s normal for patients and their families affected by brain disorders to feel uncertain about treatment options and what is best. MeRT is a treatment protocol that has helped patients restore their brain function, reclaim their lives, and get a whole new lease on life.

Our goal is to help guide you through the process so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not MeRT is the right treatment for you or your child. Our clinicians and technicians are passionate about helping you to heal.

Our New Patient Coordinator is available to answer any questions that you may have about how MeRT can help you specifically. She’ll take the time to listen to your concerns and put your mind at ease. She can also assist in getting you scheduled with the clinic should you decide to move forward with treatment.