After-Care for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Concussion

Support for Ongoing and Persistent Symptoms

Post-Injury Care for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Concussion

Traumatic brain injuries and concussions can result in long-lasting cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms. While emergency evaluation and imaging are critical immediately after injury, many individuals continue to experience challenges well after the acute phase has passed.

Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach provides post-injury, outpatient care focused on individuals experiencing persistent symptoms following a traumatic brain injury or concussion. Our services are non-invasive and medication-free and are intended to support ongoing recovery after initial medical stabilization.

Traumatic brain injuries may occur in athletes, military service members, older adults, and individuals involved in accidents or falls.

Important: We do not provide emergency care, imaging, or acute injury management. Anyone who has sustained a head injury should seek immediate medical evaluation.

woman with a traumatic brain injury with her head in her hand

After-Care Following TBI or Concussion

After the acute phase of a traumatic brain injury or concussion, recovery may involve rest, symptom monitoring, and gradual return to activity. For some individuals, symptoms such as cognitive changes, difficulties with emotion regulation, sleep disruption, or fatigue may persist.

In these cases, further evaluation of brain activity may help guide next steps. At our clinic, we focus on post-injury care for patients who continue to experience symptoms after standard medical management has been completed.

Brain-Based Treatment Approaches After TBI

One approach used at our clinic is MeRT® (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy), an EEG-guided, non-invasive method that uses diagnostic information to inform individualized treatment planning.

Quantitative EEG data may help identify patterns of brain activity associated with post-injury symptoms. This information allows clinicians to determine whether an individualized, brain-based approach may be appropriate as part of a broader care plan.

Treatment decisions are based on clinical evaluation and diagnostic findings. Not all patients are candidates, and outcomes vary.

More about MeRT
Girl with pills in her hand who is not happy

Potential Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries can affect multiple areas of functioning. Depending on severity and location of injury, symptoms may include:

  • Headaches or fatigue

  • Cognitive changes (memory, attention, processing speed)

  • Emotional regulation difficulties

  • Sleep disruption

  • Mood changes, including depression or anxiety

  • Sensory changes (vision, hearing, balance)

  • Physical weakness or coordination challenges

Some individuals may require additional therapies such as physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, or psychological support as part of recovery.

Long-Term Considerations After TBI

Research indicates that untreated or inadequately managed traumatic brain injuries may be associated with long-term neurological and functional challenges. Ongoing monitoring and appropriate follow-up care are important components of recovery.

Our clinic focuses on supporting patients during the post-injury phase, particularly when symptoms persist beyond expected recovery timelines.

I’d just always ‘outworked’ it. After the last concussion, that wasn’t an option, even though I had previously walked off a dozen concussions. It’s vital to know that not all TBIs result in massive concussions, but they all add to the erosion of the mind and self, if untreated.

For now, I want to ring the bell for the whole crew at Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach. Through EEG, MeRT, and some subtle sleep and attention shifts, I’ve had a radical, nourishing, strengthening, and dare I say, “healing,” that has brought me to see life through a filter I’ve never known was available.” – Tait Fletcher, stunt performer

Happy middle aged man using digital tablet relaxing on couch at home. Mature male user holding tab computer holding pad technology device sitting on sofa in living room looking away. Copy space.

Our New Patient Coordinator is here to help

She can explain how MeRT works, answer any questions you have, explain our procedures, discuss fees, scheduling and address any concerns.

Give us a call or fill out the form here and we will contact you at a convenient time.

 

Call our New Patient Coordinator at

(949) 418-1108

Contact Form

For more information or to book a Consultation.

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Call Us for More Information:
949-806-3396

Service Members & TRICARE Coverage

Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach is honored to serve uniformed service members, veterans, and their families.

We are in-network with TRICARE for FDA-approved rTMS therapy for Major Depressive Disorder when coverage criteria are met. TRICARE does not cover MeRT. If your head injury is also accompanied by depression, it is possible treatment may be covered.

Our team can help review benefits and explain available options based on diagnosis and eligibility.

Read more about Tricare Coverage

Research on Neuromodulation After TBI

There is a growing body of peer-reviewed research examining the use of neuromodulation, including rTMS, for symptoms associated with traumatic brain injury. Studies suggest potential benefits for select symptoms such as mood disturbance, sleep disruption, and cognitive changes.

Because traumatic brain injuries vary widely, clinical application requires individualized assessment. Ongoing research continues to explore how and when neuromodulation may be most appropriate.

The use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) following traumatic brain injury (TBI): A scoping review:  “Evidence suggests that rTMS has the potential to be an efficacious therapeutic intervention for multiple symptoms after TBI, including depression, dizziness, central pain, and visual neglect. “

Neuromodulatory Interventions for Traumatic Brain Injury:   In this special issue of the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, we share with readers some of the latest advancements in neuromodulation specific to TBI, while providing the framework to further our understanding of how and why functional skills are likely improved. While neuromodulatory interventions can play a critical role in functional recovery for those with TBI, the heterogenous nature of TBI means that clinical implementation of neuromodulation will require understanding, at the individual and group levels, of how, when, and where to alter brain activity to support sustained recovery of sensory and higher order functions. 

The role of transcranial magnetic stimulation in treating depression after traumatic brain injury:  “This study suggests that rTMS is a potential treatment option for depression following TBI. Both 15 to 16 session and 30 to 38 session cohorts showed significant decreases in depression as measured by PHQ-9 following rTMS treatment. These findings support the use of rTMS in post-concussion depression treatment and highlight the need for more research on rTMS therapy following TBI.

Randomized trial of rTMS in traumatic brain injury: improved subjective neurobehavioral symptoms and increases in EEG delta activity:  “Subjective measures of depression, sleep dysfunction, post-concussive symptoms (PCS), and executive function showed significant improvement with stimulation, retaining improved levels at two-week follow-up. EEG delta power exhibited elevation one week after stimulation cessation.”

Neural mechanisms of emotional health in traumatic brain injury patients undergoing rTMS treatment:  “Our findings uncover the neural mechanisms underlying the improvement in emotional well-being in TBI due to application of neuromodulation. The main effect of rTMS is to reduce emotional disorders and hence consequently it may improve cognitive and executive functions.”

Low frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation for cognitive recovery after traumatic brain injury: A case report:  “Our results are consistent with studies showing improved cognitive functioning in TBI following a unilateral or bilateral rTMS protocol that used low frequency rTMS over the right DLPFC. Therefore, this stimulation site may be promising for improving cognitive recovery in TBI, especially when combined with cognitive rehabilitation.”

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Treatment of Depression in a Patient With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury:

“Case Report: A 37-year-old male with history of anxiety and bipolar depression incurred a TBI after a 60-foot fall. After his physical recovery, the patient had refractory depression. Eight months after the TBI event, he underwent a 6-week course of rTMS treatment and had a 70.8% improvement in mood symptoms by the end of the therapy as indicated by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, transitioning from severe to mild depression according to the scoring system. Clinical correlation during the months following conclusion of rTMS therapy showed no signs of remission or adverse side effects. The patient remains stable and lives independently 1 year after treatment with mood-stabilizing medications.

“Conclusion: This case provides evidence for successful treatment of refractory depressive symptoms after severe TBI with the addition of rTMS to psychotherapy and mood-stabilizing medications, supporting the safety and tolerability of this novel therapeutic approach. Further studies are needed to validate the contribution of rTMS for management of mood symptoms in patients with TBI.”

More Patient Stories

Next Steps

If you are experiencing persistent symptoms following a traumatic brain injury or concussion and would like to explore post-injury care options, our team is available to help.

Our New Patient Coordinator can answer questions, explain the evaluation process, and assist with scheduling.

Call Our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More

(949) 418-1108

Or fill out the Contact Form below and we will contact you. 

Contact Us

For more information or to book a Consultation.

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Absolute Contraindications

Absolute contraindications for cortical MeRT treatment: Pacemaker, Defibrillator, Vagal Nerve Stimulator, VP Shunt/ Magnetic intracranial shunts, Deep Brain Stimulator, Epidural Cortical stimulator, Steel shunts/stents, Cranial metal fragments (i.e. shrapnel, excluding titanium), Cochlear implant, Aneurysm clips, coils, pipelines flow diversion, Pregnant or breastfeeding, Primary brain cancer / metastatic lesions in brain (unless palliative care), Magnetic dental implants, Implanted cardio-verter defibrillators (ICD), Ocular implants.

Relative Contraindications

Relative contraindications require closer protocol attention and may or may not disqualify someone from receiving cortical MeRT treatment, depending on the doctor’s discretion and the person’s individual condition. These include: History of Seizure or seizure disorder, Titanium shunts/stents, Spinal Cord Stimulator, Hearing aids, Ferrous cortical implants, Magnetic ink tattoo, Bipolar Disorder Type I/II, Baha Implant.