With patients who have Parkinson’s Disease, specific neurons located in the brain begin to break down and die. A lot of the symptoms of Parkinson’s occur because of the loss of neurons that produce a chemical in the brain called dopamine. When these levels of dopamine decline, it causes abnormal brain activity, which then manifests Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s is progressive, and currently, there is no cure, however, there are medications that can improve symptoms. Surgery also might be an option depending on your specific case in order to help to regulate the function of certain areas of your brain.
Parkinson’s Symptoms
- Tremors, which usually start in the hands or an arm or leg. Tremors can occur even when the body is at rest.
- Rigid muscles can limit movement anywhere in the body, and also cause pain.
- Slowed or impaired movement can make seemingly simple tasks more difficult and time-consuming. Steps when walking can become shorter and disjointed, and it can be hard to do everyday tasks like getting out of a chair or going to the bathroom.
- Balance issues.
- Stooped posture.
- Decrease in automatic movements such as blinking or smiling.
- Speech can become monotone without inflection. The patient may slur, or talk faster or slower than normal.
- Difficulty with writing.
- Depression, anxiety, and fear.
- Sleep disorders such as insomnia and/or sleeping during the day.
- Generalized fatigue.
- Incontinence or difficulty urinating.
- Constipation (digestion is slower).
- Changes in blood pressure with movement, such as a sudden drop in blood pressure when going from a sitting position to standing.
- Dysfunction with the sense of smell such as no longer being able to identify some odors.
- Generalized or specific pain in various areas of the body.
- Cognitive issues such as dementia usually occur in the later stages of the disease. Lewy Body Dementia, which can cause hallucinations, is a common type of dementia experienced by Parkinson’s patients.
- Chewing, eating, and swallowing problems can occur as the disease progresses due to slowed muscle movements.
- Breathing problems.
The causes of the disease are unknown however, both genetics and environment can play a role. Some gene mutations can cause Parkinson’s but these are rare, and usually only seen when many people in a family are afflicted with the disease. Ongoing exposures in the environment from herbicides and pesticides may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s in later years, but this is uncommon as well.
Parkinson’s Treatment
Many different types of medications are being used to help control various Parkinson’s symptoms. There are no dopamine supplements or prescriptions because dopamine that’s given directly doesn’t enter your brain where it’s needed, but there are some medications that are designed to mimic dopamine effects in the brain. The longer these drugs are taken, the more likely they can stop working consistently.
Other drugs can be infused via a feeding tube which delivers the medication directly to the small intestine for maximum absorption. Other meds can be delivered by injection or via a patch that’s placed on the arm. Unfortunately, some medications can have serious side effects such as hallucinations.
Deep brain stimulation surgery includes implanting electrodes into a certain part of the brain. They’re connected to an implanted generator located in the chest that can send electrical pulses to the brain, and possibly reduce Parkinson’s symptoms.
Surgery is not without risk, and complications can lead to infections, brain hemorrhage, and stroke. Some people can also have problems with the equipment as well.
While these types of treatment can help with symptoms, they cannot curb the progression of the disease.
Parkinson’s and MeRT
Here at the Brain Treatment Center – Dallas, Dr. Miller and his staff offer MeRT for Parkinson’s Disease. MeRT is a unique and improved version of TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), and is a much more individualized approach to brain modulation, and is tailored to the patient’s needs based on frequency, location, and power used. TMS modulates the brain’s electrical activity by using magnetic fields which pass through the scalp from an electromagnetic coil however, it is important to note that TMS is a generalized approach to neuromodulation because it is only able to target a single location in the brain with a single frequency.
While the neuromodulation equipment used in the MeRT process has been cleared by the FDA in the treatment of depression that has been resistant to medications, it may also be used off-label for other disorders in the practice of medicine. These include Parkinson’s disease, Dementia, and other brain-related conditions. Additionally, this treatment is non-invasive and pain-free.
We perform a quantitative EEG before modulation treatment starts in order to determine exactly the frequency of your brain.
MeRT stands for Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy. MeRT is a cutting-edge treatment protocol that combines technologies of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS, an FDA cleared therapy), Quantitative Electroencephalogram (qEEG), and Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) to analyze and formulate treatments that are tailored for each individual’s unique brain pattern.
Most TMS treatments are used to deliver stimulation to one area of the brain at a fixed frequency for all patients, however, MeRTSM is more evolved. Our MeRTSM is highly individualized as to frequency and location based on initial thorough testing and evaluation. This customized, scientific approach is unique to each patient.
The patient’s initial testings are analyzed very carefully as to the brain’s pattern of function and activity. Through this detailed analysis, we are able to determine the correct neural synchronization. This information is then used to devise a highly personalized protocol for each patient, with the purpose of encouraging improved brain communication. Many of our patients have noticed significant clinical improvements.*
Treatment for Parkinson’s disease usually lasts 4-6 weeks and can be done alongside other therapies. Appointments are 30-45 minutes in length, Monday through Friday. Many of our patients report that they notice a difference occurring within the first week.*
Brain Treatment Center – Dallas
Contact our New Patient Coordinator for more Information
When many patients come to see us, they have lost hope as they don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. It’s rewarding as a practitioner to be able to help so many people realize a much better “normal” and a greatly improved quality of life.
If you have questions or would like to discuss our Treatment Protocols, we offer a Free consultation by phone. Our New Patient Coordinator will take the time to listen and explain. She is able to answer most questions and discuss our protocols, scheduling, fees, and other information. She is happy to assist you in any way she can.
Please call us to get more information about how our clinic and Dr. Miller may be able to help you with your health goals and to schedule an initial screening to see if MeRT may be an option.
Call 214-225-1657
Insurance Coverage
Unfortunately, we do not accept insurance, nor file it on your behalf. However, we can provide you with CPT codes and a billing breakdown that you may submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement for conditions that have been FDA-cleared such as Major Depressive Disorder and OCD. On occasion, individuals have been successful in receiving reimbursement for EEGs and clinical evaluations, and possibly other elements for treatment, depending on the individual’s coverage. It has been our experience that Medicare does not reimburse any of the treatment costs.
For conditions other than Major Depressive Disorder and OCD, because treatment is considered “off-label,” insurance rarely reimburses any of the costs associated with treatment.
Starting as a New Patient
When you start as a new patient at the Brain Treatment Center Dallas, you will initially need two appointments, approximately two days apart. Both appointments will be about an hour in length. These appointments will be used to determine if Dr. Miller feels you can truly benefit from the MeRTSM [Magnetic e-Resonance Treatment] Program and, if so, to develop a tailored treatment plan based on your test results. Once you have done the testing and Consultation, you are not obliged to begin treatment. This is something that you will determine once you have seen your test results and consulted with Dr. Miller.
At the first appointment, we will go over your reasons for seeking help, your medical history, your health goals, and all of your symptoms. You will then begin initial testing, which will involve an EEG and an EKG. These are both completely painless and easy and are done right in our office. Your information and test results are then sent over to our scientific and clinical teams, who will carefully analyze the results and determine the current state and functioning of the brain together with Dr. Miller.
We use a patented, scientific approach with the neurophysiological data gathered through testing to then develop a highly customized treatment plan that is aimed at encouraging healthy brain communication and function.
At your second appointment, you will meet with Dr. Miller for a Consultation. He will discuss your test results and whether or not he and our scientific team feel that results may be achieved for you through our treatment protocol. This appointment will also serve to answer any additional questions you may have. After that second appointment, Dr. Miller will lay out your individualized treatment plan and the protocols to be followed for the best results. At that point, you may discuss fees, length of treatment, and schedules, and then decide whether to go forward and schedule your treatment.
Protocol Adjustments for COVID-19
The Brain Treatment Center Dallas is open for business. In accordance with government regulations and for the safety of our patients, the following procedures have been implemented:
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- We respectfully ask that if you are sick or experiencing any symptoms of illness that you postpone your visit until you have been symptom-free for at least 14-days.
- Dr. Miller and our staff are fully vaccinated.
- International patients, please ask us protocols that are specific to your situation.
- We will disinfect the clinic between patient visits in order to keep your risk to a minimum.
- All patients (with the exception of children who are unable) are required to wear masks when entering the clinic.
- Dr. Miller is offering virtual consultations via Spruce or Skype, both of which are HIPAA compliant so that you can have your appointment from the comfort of your own home. These visits are done via telemedicine so Dr. Miller will be visible and right in front of you, just as he would be if you were seeing him in person. If you prefer an in-clinic consultation, we ask that you follow our social distancing protocols.
We value our patients, and want to make sure that you are still able to receive your treatment in a timely manner, however, due to the concerns regarding the Corona Virus, or COVID-19, we ask that you please adhere to the temporary procedures that we have implemented for everyone’s safety.
Call our New Patient Coordinator at
214-225-1657
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*The Results shown are based on active and strict observation of our regimens. Results may vary based on the individual users and are not guaranteed.