FAQ About Injury, Recovery, and Care
We provide clear, clinically grounded information to help patients and referring providers better understand our evaluation process and care approach.
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General
Yes, we regularly collaborate with other medical specialists and care planners to provide comprehensive support for complex clinical presentations.
For significant cases or patients with mobility limitations, we can discuss alternative arrangements including bedside evaluations or coordination with local facilities.
Our process includes a thorough review of case materials, precise documentation of findings, and clear narrative reporting designed to answer specific clinical questions regarding causation and prognosis.
Yes, all information is handled with strict confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
Our reports present clear, evidence-based opinions on causation, impairment, and prognosis, designed to provide a definitive medical record that withstands external scrutiny.
Yes, we provide objective, unbiased clinical evaluations for all parties seeking a definitive medical opinion, regardless of the referral source.
Fees vary depending on case complexity and services rendered, including evaluation, comprehensive report preparation, and expert clinical review. We provide transparent fee structures upfront and accommodate professional billing arrangements.
Our clinic, the Brain, Spine and Pain Institute of Lake Nona, is located in the Lake Nona area of Orlando, Florida. We are proud to serve patients throughout Central Florida, including Orlando, Kissimmee, Sanford, and the surrounding communities.
We work with most auto insurance policies for personal injury claims. For other neurological or pain conditions, we accept a variety of health insurance plans. Because coverage can vary, we recommend calling our office with your insurance information so our team can verify your benefits before your appointment.
Your first appointment will be a comprehensive evaluation with one of our specialists. We will take the time to listen to your story, discuss your symptoms in detail, and review your medical history. The visit will include a thorough physical and neurological examination. Based on this evaluation, we may recommend specific advanced diagnostic tests to get a precise understanding of your condition before creating your personalized treatment plan.
To help make your first visit as smooth and productive as possible, please bring a photo ID, your health insurance information, and a list of any current medications you are taking. If you have them, please also bring any previous medical records or imaging reports (like MRIs or X-rays) related to your condition. If your visit is for a personal injury case, please bring your claim number and your attorney’s contact information.
While many of our patients are referred by their personal injury attorney, primary care physician, or chiropractor, a referral is not always necessary. You are welcome to contact our clinic directly to discuss your symptoms and determine if an evaluation is right for you.
For patients whose care is related to a personal injury (PI) case, such as an auto accident, there are typically no out-of-pocket costs to you. We work directly with your attorney and the relevant auto insurance carriers to handle the billing process, allowing you to focus completely on your recovery.
Our institute offers an unparalleled combination of specialized expertise and advanced technology. Our founder, Dr. Gilbert Mbeo, is quadruple board-certified and one of only 22 physicians in Florida with a board certification in Brain Injury Medicine. We function as a Center of Excellence, using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to find the true root cause of your symptoms, ensuring we create a treatment plan that offers the best path toward recovery.
The vast majority of our diagnostic tests are non-invasive and painless. Tests like EEGs, Transcranial Doppler, CT scans, and Neurocognitive Testing do not cause any discomfort. An EMG/nerve conduction study may involve minimal, temporary discomfort, similar to a small static shock, as it measures nerve signals, but it is generally very well-tolerated by patients.
While an X-ray is excellent for looking at bones, a Brain CT Scan is used when we need a more detailed view of the brain itself. It’s a non-invasive procedure that uses special X-rays to create cross-sectional images, providing much more detailed information about brain tissue, blood vessels, and structures. It may be recommended for symptoms like seizures, severe headaches, or following a head injury to check for issues an X-ray would miss.
Neurocognitive testing uses a series of standardized, computerized tests to objectively measure key aspects of your brain function, such as memory, reaction time, attention, and perception. Unlike an imaging scan, it provides a snapshot of your cognitive health. The scores allow us to compare your brain function over time, which is incredibly useful for the early detection of conditions like concussions or dementia and for tracking recovery.
A Videonystagmography (VNG) test is for patients experiencing dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues. Dizziness can be difficult to diagnose because it has many potential causes. During a VNG test, you wear special infrared goggles that trace your eye movements during various head position changes and visual stimulation. This helps us determine if your symptoms are related to a vestibular (inner ear) disorder or another neurological condition.
For symptoms like weakness, numbness, or tingling, we use Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies. These tests measure the electrical signals in your nerves and muscles, both at rest and when they are being used. This allows us to determine how fast and how well those signals are traveling, helping us diagnose if you have a disorder of your muscles, nerves, or both.
All three tests measure the electrical activity in your brain, but they serve different purposes. A routine EEG is a standard test to detect abnormalities in your brain waves. An ambulatory EEG is a portable version you wear at home for up to 72 hours to increase the chances of recording an event. A quantitative EEG (qEEG), also known as “brain mapping,” is the most advanced, creating a detailed map of your brain wave patterns to see exactly how different parts of your brain are functioning and communicating.
We believe in a “know before we go” approach. To create the most effective treatment plan, we first need to isolate the precise root cause of your symptoms. By using the right diagnostic tools, we get a much clearer picture of the underlying issues, which allows Dr. Mbeo to design a targeted therapy plan that addresses the actual problem, not just the symptoms.
No, our approach is more comprehensive. Along with the physical interventions and exercises in your tailored program, we also provide thorough education. We make sure you understand your specific condition and exactly how physical therapy fits into your overall treatment plan to achieve the best possible results.
For nerve and muscle disorders like peripheral neuropathy or a pinched nerve (radiculopathy), our physical therapy programs are vital for building strength, mobility, and endurance while relieving pain. We tailor the treatment based on the stage of your condition, focusing on exercises that help you manage symptoms and maintain function.
For neurological conditions, we treat patients on a case-by-case basis. For Multiple Sclerosis, therapies are designed to deal with your specific symptoms, which may include infusion treatments alongside physical therapy. For movement disorders like Parkinson’s, therapy focuses on improving function through stretching, balance work, and strength training to help you maintain independence.
A customized physical therapy program offers a wide range of benefits depending on your condition. The primary goals are typically to reduce or eliminate pain and improve mobility. It can also help you recover from an injury or stroke, manage a chronic illness, improve balance to prevent falls, and in some cases, may even help you avoid the need for surgery.
Neurological rehabilitation, or neuro rehab, is a specialized program for patients with nervous system diseases, injuries, or disorders, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or recovery from a stroke. While traditional PT often focuses on musculoskeletal recovery, neuro rehab is designed to restore function and improve the quality of life by maximizing a person’s ability to perform the tasks of everyday life.
Aquatic therapy is a form of physical therapy performed in a temperature-controlled pool. It’s an effective alternative for patients who find land-based exercises too difficult or painful, such as those with severe arthritis or certain neuromuscular disorders. The buoyancy of the water provides high resistance with low impact, reducing pressure on your joints while you safely improve strength, balance, and flexibility.
No, our programs are never one-size-fits-all. Every treatment plan is completely customized to your specific situation and goals. We start with a thorough analysis, using advanced diagnostic tools and direct communication with you, to design a tailored program that helps speed up your recovery, provide relief, and improve your overall quality of life.
Physical therapy is a crucial component of a comprehensive recovery plan. After a brain injury affects the connections between your brain and body, specialized rehabilitation helps to rebuild those pathways. Our physical therapy programs are personalized to improve your balance, coordination, and strength, helping you regain confidence and independence in your daily activities.
Even mild concussions can cause lingering symptoms when the brain struggles to heal completely on its own. If you are still experiencing issues like headaches, fatigue, or difficulty concentrating weeks or months after your injury, it’s a sign that your brain could benefit from targeted support. MeRT is designed to help restore healthy brain function, regardless of the initial severity of the injury.
MeRT can help with a wide range of symptoms following a brain injury. Patients have seen significant improvement in physical symptoms like headaches and dizziness; cognitive issues such as memory problems and brain fog; and emotional challenges, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
A typical treatment protocol involves sessions five days a week. While many patients report starting to feel improvements after just a few treatments, we generally recommend a course of six to eight weeks to achieve the best and most durable long-term results. We monitor your progress with follow-up brain mapping to ensure the therapy is optimized for you.
No, the entire process is comfortable and pain-free. During the 30-minute treatment sessions, you will be seated comfortably while carefully calibrated magnetic coils are placed on your scalp. You will not feel any pain or discomfort from the gentle electrical signals being delivered to your brain.
This is very common. A standard MRI or CT scan looks for structural problems like bleeding or fractures but can miss disruptions in brain function. Our diagnostic process starts with a qEEG, which maps your brain’s electrical activity and communication patterns. This detailed map allows us to see functional imbalances that other scans don’t detect, so we can create a treatment plan that targets the true source of your symptoms.
MeRT, or Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy, is an innovative, non-invasive therapy designed to restore healthy brain function. It combines a detailed qEEG “brain map” with targeted Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). This process uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of your brain, helping to correct imbalances and improve communication between brain cells that were disrupted by the injury.
For difficult-to-treat pain conditions like neuropathy or fibromyalgia, we offer highly advanced therapies, including Spinal Cord Stimulation and carefully monitored Ketamine IV infusions. These treatments are designed for patients who have not found relief with other methods and can provide a significant improvement in quality of life.
We often find that physical therapy is most effective when it’s part of a comprehensive pain management plan. By first using our interventional treatments to reduce your primary pain, we make it possible for you to engage more effectively in a personalized physical therapy program. This allows you to rebuild strength and improve movement without being limited by severe discomfort.
The duration of pain relief varies depending on the individual, the specific condition being treated, and the type of procedure performed. Many of our patients experience significant relief that lasts for several weeks to many months, allowing them to reduce their reliance on medication and more fully participate in physical therapy and daily life.
Our approach begins with listening to your story to understand how pain affects your life. We then combine that understanding with advanced diagnostic technology to pinpoint the exact cause of your discomfort. Based on this precise diagnosis, we create a personalized treatment plan that may combine different therapies—such as injection therapy and specialized physical therapy—to achieve the best possible outcome.
No. Our focus is on providing effective, minimally invasive alternatives to major surgery. Procedures like Radiofrequency Ablation and Spinal Cord Stimulation are advanced, low-risk therapies designed to provide significant relief without the long recovery times and risks associated with traditional surgery.
Our advanced pain management therapies are effective for a wide range of conditions. We have helped patients find significant relief from chronic back and neck pain, arthritis-related joint pain in the knees, hips, or shoulders, persistent headaches, and complex conditions like neuropathy and fibromyalgia.
Interventional pain management focuses on minimally invasive procedures that target the specific source of your pain. Instead of relying on oral medications that affect your whole body and often provide limited relief, our treatments—like precision-guided injections and nerve blocks—deliver relief directly to the affected area to interrupt pain signals and reduce inflammation at the source.
To accurately diagnose and manage seizure disorders, we utilize at-home ambulatory EEG monitoring, which records your brain’s activity for 24-72 hours in your normal environment. This detailed data allows us to identify seizure patterns and potential triggers with greater precision. Based on these findings, we create an individualized treatment plan to effectively control your seizures and improve your quality of life.
Neurological rehabilitation is a specialized form of physical therapy designed to restore function, improve coordination, and rebuild strength for those affected by a neurological condition. It is beneficial for patients recovering from a stroke, managing symptoms of MS or Parkinson’s disease, or dealing with other impairments that affect movement and daily function. Our programs are customized to help you maintain independence and get back to the activities that matter most.
We provide comprehensive support for patients and families dealing with memory changes. Our process begins with detailed consultations and advanced EEG testing to determine whether the symptoms are part of normal aging or related to a condition like dementia or Alzheimer’s. For diagnosed conditions, we offer innovative treatments like MeRT, which has been shown to help slow progression and keep patients feeling more engaged and connected.
Yes, our advanced TBI program is a core part of our neurology services. We use state-of-the-art neurodiagnostic technology, including qEEG brain mapping, to establish a unique neurological baseline. From there, we provide personalized treatment plans that may include MeRT (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy) and targeted neurological rehabilitation to maximize your recovery potential.
We understand how disruptive chronic headaches and migraines can be. Our specialty care focuses on providing an accurate diagnosis to ensure the correct treatment. We offer both immediate relief options, such as IV infusion therapies to stop an active attack, and preventative approaches, like botulinum toxin therapy, to reduce the frequency and severity of future episodes, helping you regain control of your life.
To provide the most informed care, we utilize a range of cutting-edge diagnostic tools. These include advanced EEG testing with at-home monitoring, EMG/Nerve Conduction studies to assess nerve and muscle communication, high-resolution brain imaging, and VNG testing for balance disorders. These detailed insights allow us to create precise treatment plans that address the specific cause of your symptoms.
At the Brain, Spine & Pain Institute, we focus on integrated care that treats you as a whole person, not just a collection of symptoms. We take the time to listen and understand the full picture of your health, combining advanced diagnostics with in-depth exams to uncover the root cause of your condition. This allows us to design a coordinated and personalized care plan that supports a more meaningful and lasting recovery.
Still Have Questions? Let’s Talk.
Every injury and every case is unique. If you didn’t find the answer you were looking for, our team is here to provide the specific information you need. Contact us directly to discuss your situation or to schedule an expert evaluation.
