Treatment of Sleep Conditions in Rancho Mirage, CA
Are you experiencing serious Sleep Issues?
Tried various remedies and nothing is resolving it?
Our treatments can help!
A Comprehensive Medical Treatment for Various Sleep Conditions
Sleep Conditions
Sleep is one of the most important pillars of good health. If you’ve had a sleepless night, you will not be at your best the next day. But you can quickly catch up on sleep and return to normal. Chronic sleep deprivation is a much deeper problem. It affects your mental and physical health and quality of life.
Chronic insomnia is often multi-causal, and it’s important to get to the root of the problem(s). Good sleep is necessary to stay healthy. Sleep deprivation also directly affects brain and psychological health.
Sleep deficiencies have been linked to many chronic health problems, including:
- Hypertension
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Hormonal imbalances
- Infertility
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Compromised immune system
- ADHD
Sleep disruption is also closely linked to brain injury. People recovering from a traumatic brain injury or concussion frequently experience chronic sleep problems as a secondary effect, and poor sleep slows neurological recovery. If depression is also part of the picture, MeRT can address both sleep and mood as part of the same individualized treatment plan.
Sleep is medicine, just like food is medicine, and may even be more important than diet. Sleep regulates your brain function, helps stabilize your mood, and is a time when the body heals. It’s absolutely critical for a healthy body. Sadly, over 70 million Americans don’t sleep well. This lack of sleep is degrading our health. We feel it in our energy level, it’s hard to focus, and it can even contribute to chronic illness.”
– Dr. Mark Hyman
Our Medical Director
Dr. Jeralyn Brossfield, MD, is a Functional Medicine Specialist. She has over 26 years of medical experience. Dr. Brossfield combines relationship-based care with an integrative perspective.
She has many areas of expertise. These include gut healing and hormone balance. She is also a certified provider of the Bredesen protocol. This protocol helps those with cognitive decline and dementia.
In 2019, Dr. Brossfield added Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy (MeRT®) as an adjunctive treatment. MeRT addresses insomnia, anxiety, autism, and depression. Additionally, it can help those who have suffered a TBI or are having memory problems. These treatments provide long-lasting functional restoration.
Dr. Brossfield provides a team approach to each person’s optimal health so they can lead an extraordinary life.
We Can Help You Regain Your Health
We see patients every day who come to us for treatment of that affect the brain, including:
- Chronic insomnia
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress
- Traumatic brain injury
- Autism
- ADHD and other learning disabilities
- Dementia
- After-effects of stroke
- Parkinson’s Disease
So many of our patients come in for treatment and tell us that they feel like their brains are “broken.” A lot of these folks have been to other physicians. Or they’ve tried other therapies that haven’t resolved their issues. They are desperate for help, and many have lost hope of ever feeling “normal” again.
At the BrainCare Performance Center, we understand what you are going through. We CAN help you regain your health.
Dr. Brossfield uses a range of diagnostics and treatments to uncover and treat the root causes of the sleep conditions you are experiencing. She prefers not to just put a band-aid on your symptoms. Instead, she takes the time to delve into your medical history and the circumstances that brought you to our clinic.
We help patients from Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, La Quinta, and the greater Coachella Valley find relief from chronic sleep issues.
MeRT for Sleep
Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy, or MeRT, treats the conditions listed above. This state-of-the-art technology is non-invasive, painless, and drug-free. MeRT neuromodulates abnormal electrical signals in the brain. Ultimately, MeRT heals the brain and modifies behavior. Often, it has been life-changing for patients who have been living with suboptimal brain health.*
Treatment offers many benefits. Improved sleep quality is one of the first things that patients notice. On its own, this is a major benefit to how someone feels day to day. It also supports brain healing.
Talk to our New Patient Coordinator
She is happy to explain how it all works and answer any questions you may have, with no obligation.
Or fill out the form below and she will contact you.
Other Benefits from MeRT Treatment
- Improved sleep and relaxation
- Increased concentration and focus
- Improved mental clarity and memory
- Better mood
- Improved ability to cope with stress
- Increased attention span
- Improved sociability
- Higher levels of motivation and energy
- Improved emotional stability
- Increased ability to adapt to changes
- Improved self-confidence
Because sleep is a crucial pillar of health, the lack thereof won’t allow your body to heal or rejuvenate. It is during the “deep sleep” phase that the brain is able to repair itself and detoxify. Getting a good night’s sleep is a way of preparing for the day ahead. Good sleep helps you to make decisions and pay attention. It also plays a huge role in the ability to cope with stress and with mood regulation.
Losing sleep for several nights in a row or more can seriously affect your ability to perform. Your day-to-day function can be seriously impaired.
Brain dysregulation from other conditions can affect its ability to function. These include depression, PTSD, depression, and traumatic brain injury (among others). If you are experiencing sleep deprivation, this can further cause the brain to go into a downward spiral and make you feel much worse.
Reasons for Chronic Sleep Conditions
Two reasons why people have sleep conditions are the lifestyles that they are leading and/or an underlying medical condition.
People often have other problems such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or TBI. They can have sleep problems BECAUSE of these disorders. For those with chronic sleep deprivation, the lack of sleep can worsen these conditions. It becomes a “chicken or the egg” question.
Our goal is to help solve these issues so you feel better. Dr. Brossfield can help with this!
*Results can vary from person to person and are not guaranteed.
Cortisol and Melatonin Imbalances
Melatonin and Cortisol are important hormones that serve many functions. They also affect and are affected by the circadian rhythm. Every living being has a 24-hour cycle called the circadian rhythm. It is dictated by diet, exercise, lifestyle, and both natural sunlight and “blue light.” The hypothalamus, located in the brain, is called the “master gland” and helps regulate this 24-hour cycle. It regulates behavior, body temperature, sleep, and hormone levels.
The pineal gland produces melatonin. Some studies suggest that gut health can also affect sleep and circadian rhythm. Imbalances in gut flora can decrease melatonin production. This contributes to sleep conditions. Serotonin is another hormone that regulates mood. It’s also a precursor hormone to melatonin. If you are depressed or moody, you are likely having problems with sleep.
The Role of our Ancestors regarding Sleep
To explain the role of melatonin and cortisol and how they affect sleep, we can look back at our ancestors’ lifestyles.
When it got dark, they went to bed. When the sun rose, they got up. Early morning sunlight entered the eyes and reached the pineal gland.
The pineal gland stimulates cortisol (a stress hormone also responsible for the fight-or-flight response). Cortisol should be highest in the morning and decrease throughout the day. The pineal gland also stimulates melatonin. This is often referred to as the sleep hormone, which is the opposite; its levels should peak in the evening so you can fall asleep.
So, morning sunlight stimulates both cortisol and melatonin. However, sunlight needs to pass directly through the eyes (no sunglasses) for this to occur.
Lifestyle and Daily Habits
Our lifestyles today differ from those of our ancestors. Most people get up early to go to work and don’t get morning sunlight exposure. Even everyday stressors can keep our cortisol levels in chronic fight-or-flight mode.
Higher cortisol levels at night can also prevent you from getting a good night’s rest. When you are sleep-deprived, this also causes this hormone level to become imbalanced. This can create symptoms of feeling tired in the morning but wired at night.
Studies show that blue light inhibits melatonin release. Our ancestors didn’t have televisions, smartphones, or tablets. These all emit blue light, which disrupts the circadian rhythm. To help melatonin do its job, you should ideally turn off all digital devices at least two hours before bedtime.
Our endocrine systems contain many different hormones. Hormones can become imbalanced due to lack of sleep, stress, age, illness, and more. Because of this, if one or two are out of balance, the endocrine system as a whole can become out of whack.
A Comprehensive Approach to Sleep Health
You can make behavioral changes to help with your sleep condition. This is easier said than done! The brain doesn’t always accept change once patterns or habits are established. Neurotransmitters fire in the brain that reinforce the habits that you already have.
If you are chronically tired, it’s even harder to change your behavior or habits. It’s easy to become overwhelmed or not know where to start.
MeRT gently changes established brain patterns and pathways. Over time, MeRT treatment can change these patterns so you sleep more easily.
Dr. Brossfield is a functional medicine provider and incorporates MeRT into her treatment protocols. She can help you address the underlying causes of sleep conditions and use MeRT to change existing brain patterns, helping you sleep again. We can also guide you through lifestyle changes to help ensure you keep sleeping well!
Our Rancho Mirage clinic is centrally located and easily accessible for people throughout the Coachella Valley seeking help for insomnia and disrupted sleep.
What is MeRT and How Does it Work?
MeRT, or Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy, is a cutting-edge treatment. It combines Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Quantitative Electroencephalogram (qEEG), and Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG). This combination of technologies helps analyze and tailor treatments to each patient’s unique brain pattern.
Every person’s brain is as unique as their fingerprint. The way your brain functions can differ significantly from someone else’s. MeRT is individualized to both frequency and location. It uses magnetic waves to stimulate specifically targeted areas of the brain. Patients have reported feeling significant clinical improvements. *
* Results are based on active and strict observation of our regimens. Results may vary based on the individual user and are not guaranteed.
MeRT Treatment: What To Expect
MeRT is a relatively new treatment, and we know you may have many questions as to whether it’s right for you. We understand, and we’re here to make it as easy as possible for you to get more information.
Your first step is a simple phone consultation with our New Patient Coordinator. You can discuss your symptoms and history. We will answer all your questions. We will also explain the protocols, fees, and treatment details.
If you decide to take the next step, we’ll set up appointments for testing and consultation. We follow this with an assessment period during which the procedure and monitoring take place.
Initial Diagnostics
EEG Testing
On your first appointment, we perform a qEEG and EKG. This test is simple and painless. We place a cap on your head to measure the electrical activity in your brain. This also maps out any areas which are not performing as they should.
We perform this test right in our office. Dr. Brossfield and her team then analyze the test results. She then develops a treatment plan customized to your condition and schedules the assessment period.
Consultation
Your second appointment is a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Brossfield. You can do this either in person or virtually from the comfort of your home. Dr. Brossfield will discuss your test results. She will answer any questions you may have. Dr. Brossfield will also let you know more about what to expect and the specific protocols she recommends for you.
This may include recommendations for further testing. MeRT treatment is more effective after the underlying root causes of your condition are identified and treated. Other patients may benefit from MeRT treatment alone.
Treatment with MeRT
Assessment Period
The next step is the assessment period. We will perform a short period of treatment, followed by a new EEG to see how you’re responding to the treatment. This is determined based on the new EEG results as compared to the initial one done. We also look at symptom improvements.
If there is a positive response to treatment during the assessment period, you will have likely noticed some improvements. At that point, we will schedule more MeRT treatment in two-week intervals.
At the end of every two weeks, we will perform a qEEG/EKG to monitor your progress. You will then have a consultation with Dr. Brossfield to confirm progress.
Most conditions treated with MeRT provide noticeable and long-lasting results after four to eight weeks of treatment. However, each patient is different, and results may vary.
* Results are based on active and strict observation of our regimens. Results may vary based on the individual user and are not guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sleep Treatment
Most patients come to us with chronic insomnia or disrupted sleep that has not resolved with other approaches. Often sleep trouble goes hand in hand with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or a past head injury, and each can make the other worse.
No. MeRT is FDA-cleared for the treatment of adults with PTSD, and TMS is FDA-cleared for certain other conditions. Using MeRT for sleep conditions is off-label, and Dr. Brossfield will explain what that means for you.
Possibly. Chronic sleep trouble is often multi-causal. Dr. Brossfield looks at your medical history, hormones such as cortisol and melatonin, gut health, mood, and lifestyle. Some conditions, such as sleep apnea, need a different medical workup, and we will tell you if that applies.
MeRT starts with a qEEG brain map and an ECG, then uses TMS tailored to your individual brain activity. The aim is to support healthier brain patterns over time. Changes in sleep quality are among the things patients often tell us they notice first, though results vary.
No. MeRT does not require you to stop any medication. Any change to a prescribed sleep medication should be made only with the doctor who prescribes it.
Treatment starts with a painless qEEG brain map and an ECG, which take about 45 minutes to an hour, followed by a consultation with Dr. Brossfield to review your results. After that, you come in five days a week for two weeks. Each session lasts about 30 minutes, during which you sit in a comfortable chair while a neuro-technician places a magnetic coil on your head. A repeat qEEG and ECG after the first two weeks show how you are responding and whether we need to adjust your plan. Most treatment plans run about four to eight weeks, and you need to stay in the Coachella Valley area during each two-week interval.
Simple habits help your body’s natural sleep-wake rhythm: get outdoor light in the morning without sunglasses, and turn off phones, tablets, and TVs at least two hours before bed, since blue light can interfere with melatonin. Dr. Brossfield can also guide you through lifestyle changes as part of your plan.
Insurance rarely covers MeRT for this condition, so most patients pay out of pocket. We do not file insurance on your behalf, but we can provide CPT codes and a billing breakdown you may submit to your insurer. Our New Patient Coordinator will walk you through costs during your free, no-obligation consultation at 760-388-7781.
Talk to our New Patient Coordinator
She is happy to explain how it all works and answer any questions you may have, with no obligation.
Or fill out the form below and she will contact you.
QUESTIONS ABOUT TREATMENT?
Contact Our New Patient Coordinator
Our New Patient Coordinator is available to answer any questions that you may have. She’ll take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, explain costs, and anything else you would like to know. She can also assist you in getting scheduled should you decide to move forward with treatment.
We understand what you may be going through, and our goal is to help guide you through the process with quality care in a warm and compassionate environment.
While MeRT is a relatively new treatment protocol, it has shown some remarkable results. It doesn’t cost anything to call us and talk. Our New Patient Coordinator is here for you.
Contact Us
For more information or to speak with our New Patient Coordinator, please fill in the information below.