This Breakthrough Anxiety Treatment Can Lead to a More Beautiful Life
It’s Drug-free, Noninvasive, and Gets Results
These days, anxiety can seem like a fact of life. You may feel anxious about situations at work or home, or even the state of the world. And certainly, that’s normal. But sometimes, anxiety can be more than just the day-to-day stresses of life. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, 31% of Americans will have an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.
Anxiety can differ in degree, of course, but when it doesn’t go away, there may be more to the story. That type of chronic anxiety can make life unbearable. There are many treatment options for anxiety disorder, from therapy to medications to various stress-management techniques. But what if you’ve tried all those things yet still deal with constant anxiety? Is there any hope?
Yes. There’s no question that severe anxiety can be difficult to overcome. But there is hope. It’s called MeRT®, or Magnetic E-Resonance Therapy. And we offer it here in San Diego.
MeRT is an emerging technology that aims to improve brain function and communication. The TMS equipment used is FDA-cleared to treat Major Depressive Disorder and OCD and is used off-label to treat a wide variety of conditions, including anxiety.
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
The American Psychological Association (APA) defines anxiety as “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure.”
With generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), these thoughts and feelings don’t go away. People with GAD experience intense anxiety, worry, or nervousness about everyday life. As a result, this can create significant problems with daily social interactions, school, and work.
GAD affects 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the U.S. population, in any given year.
Anxiety Disorder Symptoms
While there are many types of anxiety disorders, some of the most common symptoms include:
- Restlessness and a feeling of being wound-up or on-edge
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Uncontrollable feelings of worry
- Difficulty concentrating
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Headaches
- Muscle tension
- Sleep difficulties, such as problems staying asleep, restlessness, or unsatisfying sleep
- Rapid heartbeat
Some people may experience panic attacks, which cause symptoms that mimic a heart attack, including chest pain and shortness of breath.
If you think you might have an anxiety disorder, MeRT can provide hope and a new outlook on life.
An Entirely New Approach
MeRT for the Treatment of Anxiety
MeRT is an emerging technology that improves brain function and communication. We use magnetic fields to stimulate and balance brain function, guided by highly sophisticated imaging and diagnostics.
Patients with anxiety have a few markers that can be clearly seen in EEG studies — an imbalance in brainwave activity between the left and the right hemispheres of the brain, known as asymmetry.
We work to identify these asymmetries and strengthen healthy brainwave activity to reduce the symptoms of anxiety for the patient.
Call Our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More
(619) 255-2101
Or fill in the form below and she will contact you.
Non-invasive and Drug-Free
What is MeRT?
What is MeRT?MeRT stands for Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy. MeRT is a tailored, highly individualized form of TMS or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. In simpler terms, we use magnetic waves to stimulate specifically targeted areas of the brain found to not be communicating or functioning optimally.
We determine this through sophisticated diagnostic tools and imaging, which we use to plan a tailored treatment approach just for you.
The TMS equipment used is FDA-cleared to treat Major Depressive Disorder and OCD and is used off0label to treat other neurological-related conditions, including Anxiety.
How Do I Know…
Is MeRT the Right Treatment?
We understand that MeRT is a relatively new cutting-edge treatment. You may not be certain if it is right for your situation, but this is not a decision that needs to be made right away or alone.
Your first step would be a simple phone consultation with our New Patient Coordinator. At this time, you can discuss your symptoms and history, ask all the questions you want, and have her explain the protocols, fees, and details of treatment.
Testing and Evaluation
If you are interested in taking the next step in seeing if MeRT treatment is right for you, we can set up an appointment to perform an EEG (a simple, painless, and non-invasive brain scan).
This qEEG (quantitative EEG)/EKG test is used to evaluate brain activity and will show us any dysfunction or communications that are occurring. A qEEG is sometimes referred to as a “brain map” as it shows the exact areas of the brain that are experiencing dysfunction. This tool is valuable as it allows us to customize treatment specifically for YOU. This test is performed by our chief neurotechnician and takes approximately 45 minutes to complete; however, if you are seeking treatment for your child with autism, please plan on spending an hour with us. We will also gather your new patient paperwork at this time and get you scheduled for your initial assessment period of treatment.
After the qEEG, we will then schedule a second appointment. This is a clinical evaluation with Nurse Practitioner Kayleigh Prowse and takes approximately 45 minutes. Your appointment can be completed via telemedicine or in-clinic, whichever you prefer. Please note that if you choose a Telemedicine appointment and are seeking treatment for your child, your child will need to be present.
During your consultation, Kayleigh will answer any questions you may have and discuss your applicable treatment plan. Additionally, you will have an opportunity to meet with our physician and Medical Director, Julie Kim, M.D.
Assessment Period
Six weeks of treatment are recommended for patients undergoing MeRT to achieve optimal and long-lasting results. However, prior to committing to the six weeks, we have each patient go through an assessment period of treatment to see how they will respond. This assessment period is included in the six weeks of treatment.
The assessment is two weeks long. It consists of nine treatment sessions followed by a repeat qEEG. Treatment would be provided the first week, Monday through Friday, and the following week, Monday through Thursday. A typical treatment session lasts about 30-45 minutes.
Additionally, the follow-up qEEG results will be covered with you by your provider.
If clinical changes are occurring as they should, and the qEEG also shows progress, then you would then continue treatment which would occur five days per week, Monday through Friday. Generally, you will begin to feel the benefits of treatment within a week or two, but because treatment is cumulative, should continue to note improvements throughout the course of your treatment, and even for some weeks after treatment. Because treatment is consecutive, you must be able to stay in or around the area while undergoing your therapy.
Additional Treatment Options
For those who are not ready to commit to an assessment period, or if we need to see the results of the testing to confirm that MeRT can help, we also offer the option of coming in for a qEEG/EKG and then having a consultation with Kayleigh and/or Dr. Kim to go over the results. After your clinical consultation, you will still have the option of going through an assessment period should you choose to do so.
Improvements and results of MeRT are based on strict and active observation of our treatment protocols. Results may vary based on each person and are not guaranteed.
Because each person’s brain and condition are unique, we customize treatment protocols specifically for each individual guided by the qEEG results. Repeat qEEGs and clinical consultations occur every two weeks throughout treatment. The effects of treatment generally last a lifetime, though some folks do prefer occasional follow-up treatment as needed.
During your treatment session, you will sit in a comfortable chair while the neuro technician administers this gentle treatment with a hand-held magnet that is held near the scalp. While you may feel a slight sensation during treatment, it is not painful or uncomfortable. Magnetic pulses are delivered for six to eight seconds during each minute of treatment.
Also, it’s important to note that the potential side effects of treatment are minimal and should start to dissipate after you begin to progress through treatment.
Insurance
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 considered out-of-network and cannot file insurance on your behalf. We can, however, provide you with the appropriate paperwork at the end of your treatment. Then, you can submit it to your insurance company to see if they will reimburse you.
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. However, this depends on their health coverage. Additionally, Medicare patients have reported that their coverage provides no reimbursement for MeRT.
We take all major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
Care Credit
Care Credit is also an option to help finance medical expenses and is a separate company from The Brain Treatment Center San Diego. This is a credit card you can use to cover medical expenses and services. They typically offer zero-interest financing for 12 months.
Usually, when you go to the Care Credit website and apply, they will rapidly let you know if you receive approval.
Interested but not sure?
Interested but not sure?Talk with our New Patient Coordinator
It’s normal for patients and their families affected by neurological conditions to feel frustrated and isolated. Many have lost hope that treatment can improve the condition.
We understand what you may be going through. Yet, MeRT has helped patients restore their brain function, reclaim their lives, and feel passionate about living again. That’s why we want to help guide you through the process so that you can make an informed decision about whether MeRT is the right treatment for you or your child.
It costs nothing to call us and discuss what is happening. Our New Patient Coordinator is here for you. She understands your pain and can answer all your questions. Additionally, she can explain the process and protocols, costs, possible insurance benefits, and any other details you want to know. There are no obligations, and she will take the time you need to decide whether to take the next steps.
Call Our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More
(619) 255-2101
Or fill in the form below and she will contact you.
Contact Us
For more information or to speak with our New Patient Coordinator, please fill in the information below.
Contact Us
For more information or to speak with our New Patient Coordinator, please fill in the information below.