A tragic accident proved to be a new beginning for a local businessman, who after undergoing a unique therapy, decided to use it to help others.
Brad Fehr, certified brainwave technologist, was cycling as part of his training for an Iron Man triathlon three years ago when he was struck by a vehicle.
"Someone came around a corner at a yield and I didn't even see him and he didn't see me either obviously and he hit me from behind and sent me down to the ground and cracked my helmet like in half," he said.
He was taken to hospital and he said doctors suspected he had a concussion and whiplash.
For the first six months, he said he felt sore but shortly after, his injuries became debilitating.
In October 2011, roughly two and a half years after being hit, Fehr said he was still suffering with pain.
His wife saw a news segment on Brainwave Optimization and he decided to give it a try.
"It was my last resort. I didn't know what it was going to do and six months later, my neck injury that I had is healed up and my concussion is gone," he said. "Slowly, over the six months, it's gotten better and better and I believe I wouldn't be where I am without it."
After undergoing treatment himself, Fehr said he wanted to bring this treatment to a wider audience and decided to get certified and open his own business in St. Albert.
New beginning
Neuroworx Technologies Inc., has been in business for roughly two months and recently became a member of the St. Albert & District Chamber of Commerce.
Although Brainwave Optimization has been around for roughly a decade in the United States, this is only the second business of its kind to open in Alberta.
Brainwave Optimization involves affixing seven sensors to the head with a gel. These sensors will transmit brainwave readings to a monitor to be interpreted.
"(The brainwaves) can be high and low in spots in the brain that keeps it unbalanced," he said.
By balancing these waves, he said, it will provide balance to the brain and ultimately the body, which will improve certain ailments. Brain Optimization balances the brainwaves by using sound frequencies — something patented by the company.
So far, Fehr has treated patients dealing with attention deficit disorder (ADD), addictions, chronic pain and brain trauma. He said each of these clients has experienced improvement.
"The brain wants to change, it's just when it gets stuck into these patterns of whether it be trauma – mental or physical – then it just doesn't have the opportunity to get out of that loop," he said. "But when it is guided out of that loop, amazingly enough, it builds new neurons and new pathways."
As it is a relatively new treatment dealing with the brain, Fehr said it is justifiably met with some scepticism.
"Getting them through the door is tough and I understand that, because, 'what are you doing to my brain?' I probably thought the same thing," he said.
There is limited research into the practice, although studies are underway to determine the effectiveness in treating people with brain injury, dementia and Alzheimer's.
Fehr stresses that Brainwave Optimization does not promise a diagnosis or cure and is simply a treatment option that could provide life-changing improvements, much like it did for him.
