Traumatic Brain Injury

RELIEF FOR LINGERING TBI SYMPTOMS WITH PERSONALIZED, NON-INVASIVE CARE

A concussion or TBI can change how you think, feel, and function, sometimes long after the injury itself. If you’re still dealing with headaches, brain fog, mood swings, sleep problems, or sensory overload, you’re not alone. And you have options.

At BrainCare Performance Center Carlsbad, we use MeRT® (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy) to create a data-guided, individualized plan aimed at easing persistent symptoms and helping your brain work more comfortably day to day. 

What is a traumatic brain injury?

A TBI happens when a bump, blow, jolt, or penetrating injury causes the brain to move inside the skull and damages delicate tissue. A concussion is a mild TBI, but it can still bruise tissue, strain neural pathways, and disrupt thinking, mood, and sleep.

Moderate to severe TBIs may involve skull fracture, bleeding in/around the brain, fluid buildup, or torn/stretched nerves; injuries can affect one region or widespread networks. 

What symptoms and aftereffects can persist?

While some people recover quickly, many experience ongoing issues after a concussion or TBI, such as:

• Memory loss, confusion, difficulty concentrating
• Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea/vomiting
• Light/sound sensitivity; blurry or double vision
• Anxiety, depression, irritability/anger
• Sleep problems; balance problems; seizures

More severe TBIs can add difficulty speaking, hearing loss, bowel/bladder changes, and muscle weakness or spasticity. 

How does MeRT help after a TBI?

MeRT is a personalized use of TMS that aims to restore more efficient communication in brain networks impacted by injury.

MeRT = three parts working together:

1. qEEG/EKG evaluation – a baseline “brain map” and timing study to identify areas that are out of sync after injury.
2. Clinician report & analysis – we explain findings and how they relate to your symptoms.
3. Individualized rTMS plan – gentle, precisely targeted magnetic stimulation based on your data to encourage healthier synchrony (neuroplasticity).

We can begin MeRT once you’re medically cleared from the acute phase or even months/years after injury if symptoms remain. The aim is to revitalize brain function so everyday demands feel more manageable. Patients often report clearer thinking, steadier mood, fewer headaches, better sleep, and improved tolerance for busy environments. 

What does the process look like?

1. MeRT evaluation – qEEG/EKG, history, and goal-setting.

2. Results & plan – we review your report and outline your personalized stimulation plan.

3. Two-week treatment blocks – sessions run 5 days/week for 2 weeks. At each 2-week mark, we complete a MeRT re-evaluation (repeat qEEG/EKG + symptom scales). If you’re progressing, we continue in additional two-week intervals until you and your clinician are satisfied with results. 

When should I start, and is it safe?

After your physician clears you to resume activity or begin rehab, MeRT can be considered. MeRT is non-invasive and generally well-tolerated; the most common effects are temporary scalp discomfort or a mild headache that typically fade with time. We’ll review rare risks and safety considerations before you begin. 

How does MeRT interact with other therapies?

Think of MeRT as brain-supportive. By promoting smoother coordination, it can make PT/OT, speech/cognitive therapy, and return-to-work/return-to-play plans feel more effective and less taxing. With your permission, we’ll coordinate with your rehabilitation team. 

Who is a good candidate?

Adults with lingering symptoms after concussion/TBI—whether from sports, falls, motor-vehicle accidents, or blast exposure—who want a non-invasive, drug-free option may be candidates. We’ll review your medical history and goals to ensure a good fit. (For TBI, MeRT is an emerging, self-pay service; we offer transparent pricing and CareCredit financing.) 

Patient perspectives

“I’m back! My TBI turned me into someone I barely recognized… This treatment changed everything, and I am forever thankful.” — 41-year-old male with TBI 

“Two or three months past my last treatment, my brain is in a better place… My cognition took off during that period, and it hasn’t slowed down since.” — Nick Hardwick, Retired NFL Center 

Ready to talk next steps?

Call BrainCare Performance Center today, or request an appointment online, to speak with our New Patient Coordinator about MeRT for TBI. We’ll answer your questions, walk you through the evaluation, and map out a plan that fits your life. You deserve to live fully after a brain injury, and we’re here to help. 

📞 Contact Us today to speak with a member of our team.