Functional Medicine
and Brain Health
We treat patients suffering from brain disorders such as depression, traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress, autism, after-effects of stroke, sleep disorders, and more. MeRT is a conventional method of treatment that generally has a very high success rate to help with these kinds of conditions. However, it is often helpful to also look at any underlying issues that can also affect brain health such as nutritional deficiencies, poor sleep hygiene, genetic mutations, toxins, hormonal imbalances, etc., so as to fully restore our patients to the best possible long-term, overall health.
functional medicine and brain health
What is the Difference Between Functional Medicine and Conventional Medicine?
Functional medicine differs somewhat from a conventional medicine standard of practice. People who are ill look to medical providers to help them to get better and cure whatever is wrong with them. A patient’s quality of life can be severely affected when they experience either physical or mental health issues.
In a conventional model of medicine, doctors are trained to treat illnesses and injuries by things like prescribing medication or performing surgery. Conventional medicine is important since it’s necessary in many cases to manage disease, illness, or injury. MeRT® treatment is a conventional medicine approach to treat brain dysregulation regardless of cause however, because there are other things that can contribute to the way the brain functions, it’s also a good idea to evaluate other factors that can influence brain health.
A functional medicine approach can also use medications as needed, but its philosophy is more about looking at the root causes of disease and chronic illness and looking for other underlying issues that may be contributing to unhealthy conditions.
functional medicine and brain health
MeRT® and Whole Body/Whole Brain Health
The Brain Treatment Center in Dallas utilizes MeRT, which is a non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical treatment for several conditions including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Traumatic brain injury
- Post-traumatic stress
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- ADHD
- Autism
- After-effects of stroke
- Parkinson’s disease
- Dementia
Dr. Miller is a Board-Certified Neurologist who has years of experience helping those who have suffered acute injuries along with others who have chronic brain conditions. He utilizes both conventional and functional medicine approaches because he understands that the body can affect the brain, and the brain can affect the body. They are not two separate entities, but rather one all-encompassing system that is interconnected.
Think of your body as a symphony – if one section is out of tune, the whole concert is going to be thrown off.
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Many conditions can affect brain health, such as:
- An injury such as a blow to the head
- A concussion caused by other mechanisms of injury
- Traumatic events (Post-traumatic stress)
- Autism (unknown origin)
- Insult to the brain, which may be caused by a stroke, hemorrhage, or aneurism
- Mental illness with unknown ideology
- Depression and Anxiety
- Age-related cognitive decline/dementia
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Learning or developmental disabilities
- Down Syndrome, which is a chromosomal defect
- Other genetic conditions
Gut Dysbiosis
Over the past several years, more and more research has shown how much influence the state of gut health has over the entire body which of course, includes the brain. In fact, over 70% of the body’s immune system is regulated by the gut.
The gut is often referred to as your body’s “second brain,” and studies have shown its effects on the central nervous system. It communicates directly to the brain via the vagus nerve. This connection as referred to as the gut/brain axis. The vast majority of the population follows the Standard American Diet, which includes high levels of sugars, starches, and unhealthy fats, and is the biggest contributor to dysbiosis, which can cause conditions such as:
- Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, and other mental illnesses or developmental disorders
- Dementia
- Chronic inflammation throughout the body and brain
- Depression, Anxiety, and Other Mental Illness
- Compromised immune system
- Decreased ability to cope with stress
- Sleep disorders
- Auto-immune diseases such as Hashimoto’s Disease, Crohn’s Disease, Celiac Disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, etc.
- Food allergies and sensitivities
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Premature aging
- Hormonal Imbalances
- Compromised intestinal wall permeability, also known as “Leaky Gut”
Autism
The number of children with autism has increased in the United States by 154% from 2000 to 2018. Despite so much research, the cause of autism is still not known. However, commonalities of children with autism have been found to include gluten intolerance and lactose intolerance. Celiac disease is also common. Some studies have shown that autistic kids are more prone to having “Leaky Gut Syndrome” which occurs when the intestinal barrier is compromised and thus substances in the gut leak into the bloodstream.
Functional Medicine Services for Brain Treatment of Dallas Patients
MeRT treatment is a process that uses a qEEG to locate exactly where dysregulation is occurring in the brain, regardless of the condition. Once identified, an individualized treatment plan is prescribed, and therapy is administered using TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation). This is an effective treatment for many disorders associated with the brain, however, it is also important to address other issues which affect both overall health and brain health.
We know that nutrition is one of the most important factors that influences health. Additionally, there are other things such as genetics, sleep, exercise, and stress management that play a big role as well.
If Dr. Miller believes that you may benefit from further testing to help to optimize your brain health and the effectiveness of MeRT treatment, he will provide you with a referral so that all aspects of your mental health can be addressed.
Many people with brain dysregulation can also experience problems with:
- Insomnia
- GI Disturbances/Gut Dysbiosis
- Gut Infections
- Food intolerances
- Hormonal Imbalances
- Malabsorption of vital nutrients
- Genetic mutations
- Compromised immune systems
- Chronic fatigue
- Chronic pain
- Heavy metal toxicities