About Dr. Weiss
The founder of
The Healing
Institute (THI),
Jeffrey N.
Weiss, M.D.,
is former Faculty
of Harvard Medical
School and a
Visiting Scientist
at the Massachusetts
Institute of
Technology.
Dr. Weiss was
introduced
to Hyperbaric
Oxygen Therapy
(HBOT) when,
Dr. Richard Neubauer,
a pioneer in
the use of
HBOT for brain
injury, came
to him as a
patient. Unfortunately,
Dr. Neubauer
reciprocated
the help when
several years
later, Dr. Weiss’
son, Justin, experienced a near-drowning
episode.
Dr. Weiss made an intensive study of the field but when he suggested HBOT to the physicians treating his son, they refused. Though they gave Justin no hope for life, and fought with the Weiss’ to “pull the plug” they wouldn’t allow HBOT because it “might hurt his ears.” The Weiss family successfully fought the doctors and hospital in court to allow Justin to undergo HBOT. The legal victory made international news because it was the first time a hospital was forced to provide treatment. In his ruling, the Judge stated, “I can rule for life, or death and I choose to rule for life.”
During the 6 years since Justin’s accident,
he has attended
kindergarten,
first and second grade. He is fully cognizant
but is limited by his physical handicaps.
Justin undergoes rehabilitative therapy
5 days a week. Many different treatments
have been tried and Justin may be driven
40 to 50 miles per day for what the Weiss’
have identified as the best, most effective
therapies. Understandably, the Weiss’
have the resources to give Justin the
best possible care. But, what do other
families do?
Watch a video
and read the
story "Hyperbaric
Oxygen Therapy
For Those In
Need" from CBS
4, featuring
Dr. Weiss and
his son Justin. Click
here!
Watch a video from JustNews.com featuring Dr. Weiss. Click here!
THI will be the first comprehensive
neurologic rehabilitative
center in the United States that combines
the best in therapies for improvement.
Our goal is improvement and we will continue
to investigate and adopt new therapies
and discard the less beneficial ones.
At the present time, HBOT, biofeedback
and physical therapy will be offered
at THI.
BIOFEEDBACK THERAPY
Biofeedback is a technique to reestablish voluntary control over a specific response. It is a form of operant learning in which, the patient, through computerized learning, builds and strengthens new neural pathways.
The injury that occurs to brain cells and spinal cord cells as a result of cerebral palsy, stroke and other injuries results in cell death. However, the brain contains trillions of cells of which the average person uses only 10%. Biofeedback trains the “extra” cells to take up the functions of the dead cells. An advanced computer is used to measure signals from muscles whose use is impaired from central nervous system damage. Surface electrodes are placed over a combination or a specific muscle and the electrical signal at the muscle is measured during the voluntary attempt at muscle contraction. The electrical signals are instantaneously processed and displayed on a monitor in front of the patient. Through a trial and error learning procedure, also known as Operant Conditioning, the patient tries to change the electrical signal at the muscle site as a result of receiving the feedback for the correct response. The patient is learning to find and utilize healthy central nervous system tissue more efficiently, which results in greater voluntary control over the affected muscles. In this way, the biofeedback technique enhances traditional physical and occupational therapy. Justin demonstrated tremendous progress using these techniques.
Dr. Preston Olson holds a Master’s degree in physical therapy and a PhD in pediatric rehabilitation with a focus on neuro-musculoskeletal disorders and treatment. Dr. Olson utilizes the newest technology in biofeedback and electrical stimulation and provides children with the highest standard of care.
Dr. Bernard Brucker, was the Founder and Director of
the Biofeedback Center at the University of Miami,
a consultant to the THI, and Dr. Weiss’ good friend.
It is to his memory that the Biofeedback Center is
dedicated.
Discounts have
been arranged
for patients
at area hotels
and for car rentals.
Contact us for
more details.
About Our Facility
Equipment
The Healing Institute
use Sechrist
monoplace chambers. The 3200 chamber
is large enough to allow a parent and
child to go into the chamber together.
Each chamber has a television with a
satellite and DVD connection. We have
a large library of children’s movies.
Waiting
Room
There are two spacious waiting rooms. One contains
a children’s play area, the other a wide-screen television
with satellite connection. Either waiting room can
accommodate wheelchairs.
Changing Area/Bathroom Facility
There are two handicapped equipped facilities and a
changing area for babies. Scrub outfits are provided
as are eight private lockers for the patient’s personal
items.