There’s more to mental health treatment than medication. Neuro Wellness Spa is a leader in personalized brain health and neuromodulation. Could MeRT or TMS therapy be right for you?
What is MeRT Treatment?
Magnetic e-resonance therapy (MeRT) is an extensively personalized neuromodulatory treatment for a range of conditions that affect mental health and cognition. MeRT therapy combines the technologies of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS, an FDA cleared therapy*), qEEG and EKG to deliver treatments tailored for each individual’s unique brain pattern. The MeRT treatment process begins with a resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (EKG) to measure brain wave frequencies, heart rate and brain-heart coherence. By measuring and analyzing your brainwave activity, MeRT assesses the communication quality between the neurons in your brain and custom designs treatment protocols to optimize brain function. Then, a TMS magnet delivers gentle magnetic pulses specifically targeted and individualized for each patient. About every 10 treatments, sequential EEG recordings document progress and guide scientifically informed treatment.
Because MeRT therapy is a custom approach designed specifically for each patient’s unique brain, it is life-changing intervention for anyone struggling with insomnia, PTSD, ADHD, autism and brain injury, or for those striving for peak cognitive performance.
How Does MeRT Treatment Work?
The brain is composed of over 100 billion neurons. Neurons are known as the “information messengers” in the brain. They utilize electrical impulses and chemical signals to deliver the appropriate messages to the right places throughout the brain and the central nervous system. The quality and behavior between your neurons can be disrupted by many things, including sleep disorders, congenital conditions, chemical trauma or addictions, acute injury to the head, stress, and emotional trauma.
MeRT empowers patients to understand their unique brainwaves and optimize their minds. Using state-of-the-art neuroimaging, MeRT identifies where brain function is disrupted and specifically nurtures these areas to improve functionality. Then, using a patented approach, MeRT develops a custom TMS protocol that optimizes brain synchrony in each unique patient’s brain. In most cases, MeRT can visibly reshape brainwave activity and improve cognitive performance.
What is TMS Treatment?
Although medication and therapy are treatment options for depression, anxiety and OCD, over half of patients still experience symptoms after trying these conventional treatments. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a highly effective treatment option, especially for those who haven’t experienced satisfactory improvement with antidepressant medication or who feel medication is causing unwanted side effects. TMS uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain responsible for mood and known to be under-active in depression. TMS is non-invasive (does not require surgery) and non-systemic (does not affect the entire body).
TMS received FDA clearance in 2008 for depression and 2018 for OCD and cigarette cessation. TMS therapy can be used alone, or in conjunction with other treatment modalities including behavioral therapies and medication. Unlike medications which can take weeks to exert their full effects, most patients experience symptom improvement with TMS in just two weeks. Plus, TMS therapy is covered by most insurance.
What is the Difference Between TMS and MeRT Treatment?
Both MeRT and TMS therapy are non-invasive, drug-free and highly-effective treatment options, however there are some key differences between the two treatments.
A typical TMS treatment protocol consists of 5 sessions per week for 6 weeks followed by 2 sessions per week for 3 weeks.
Although MeRT therapy uses TMS, an FDA-cleared technology, MeRT is considered an off-label application* and is a cash pay service at this time. By combining TMS with sequential EEG recordings, MeRT is a highly personalized treatment that can improve functioning and synchrony for a wide range of conditions affecting mental health and cognition. A typical MeRT treatment protocol involves patients coming Monday through Friday and the length of treatment course varies by the individual’s unique needs.
Both MeRT and TMS treatment are outpatient treatments. During MeRT and TMS treatment, patients recline in a private treatment room and may relax, read, work, or watch television during treatment. Both treatments use a magnet to deliver gentle magnetic pulses and stimulate specific areas of the brain. Each treatment sessions lasts about 30 minutes, after which patients can get back to their days right away, including work or school.
Who Can Benefit from MeRT?
In the past few decades, experts have used brain imaging and neuromodulatory techniques to study brainwaves and gain a better understanding of ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, PTSD, insomnia and more. Whether your goal is improved mood, sleep, performance, focus or overall better quality of life, MeRT can help you achieve long-lasting, transformative results. MeRT can help treat:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Peak Performance
- PTSD
- Migraine
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Cognitive decline
- Addiction
MeRT Treatment in California
If you are one of the millions of Americans grappling with depression, autism, ADHD, or OCD, call Neuro Wellness Spa today. Our team of mental health experts will perform a thorough assessment of your symptoms and goals to help you decide if MeRT or TMS therapy, or alternative treatments like medication management and talk-therapy, could be your next step.