Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the Midwest Center for Brain Health?
Midwest Center for Brain Health (MCBH) is an integrative medical practice that provides comprehensive assessments and personalized Brain Optimization Programs to help people who are experiencing conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.
To read our doctors’ bios and learn more, please visit our practice page.
Can I come to your clinic for primary care or general healthcare needs?
MCBH practitioners do not provide primary care services and we recommend that you maintain a relationship with a licensed primary care provider for your basic health care needs.
I do not live near Chicago, do you offer online consultations?
Do you accept insurance?
We do not bill insurance, Medicare or Medicaid and cannot accept any insurance as a form of payment for the cost of the initial Brain Health Assessment or Brain Optimization Program. The MCBH programs require that our doctors spend a significant amount of time with you during each office visit. This is different than the conventional medical model where doctors typically need to see a large number of patients and office visits are very brief. We work with our patients to ensure participants get the most value from our programs and the investment they make in their health. There are certain lab tests and imaging that may be covered by insurance, but this is determined on an individual basis. Financing is available through our partner, Advance Care. (advancedcarecard.com)
What are your office hours?
Midwest Center for Brain Health’s office hours are
Monday – Friday, 9 – 5.
To visit, our office address is:
1701 Woodfield Road, Ste. 423
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Get Driving Directions >
How do I contact MCBH?
1701 Woodfield Road, Ste. 423
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Get Driving Directions >
Phone: 833-HELPALZ (435-7259)
Fax: 773-945-6386
Web: Contact Page
What does your Brain Optimization Program entail?
What is included in the Initial Brain Health Assessment?
- Initial 2-hour consultation with an MCBH doctor to review your medical history and discuss your current symptoms
- Brain mapping (qEEG), if appropriate
- Cognitive testing, if needed, along with a review of your results and an explanation of what they reveal about the state of your brain health
- A review of your previous lab work and recommendations for additional lab testing or imaging
- At the end of your assessment, the doctor will recommend enrollment in an MCBH Brain Optimization Program if it’s a good fit for you
- Your investment in the initial assessment is $795
What is included in MCBH’s Brain Optimization Programs?
- Personalized recommendations focused on sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress management, brain stimulation exercises and targeted supplementation and, when necessary and appropriate, pharmaceuticals. The program will also address toxin or heavy metal exposures, hormone imbalances and infections that may be contributing to your symptoms.
- Recommendations for additional testing based on the areas of concern identified in your initial Brain Health Assessment. Lab testing could include advanced lab panels to help identify hormone imbalances, toxin or heavy metal exposures and infections, for example.
- Regular visits with your doctor to implement your treatment plan, evaluate your progress, and make adjustments as necessary.
- Access to your doctor for quick questions and clarifications in between visits by secure portal messages and by phone.
- All the support, encouragement, knowledge and tools you need to be successful in implementing your treatment plan and transforming your brain health and overall wellness.
- Your investment in an MCBH program will range from $6,400 to $10,000 plus the cost of additional lab testing and supplements. To put this into perspective, nursing home care typically costs over $100,000 per year. Our goal is to delay or eliminate the need for nursing home care and help people remain independent as long as possible. For more information visit: https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/financial-legal-planning/planning-for-care-costs.
- We also offer financing through our partner, Advance Care (advancedcarecard.com)
Can I do the Brain Health Assessment and not the full program?
Is your brain health program right for me?
We believe that everyone deserves exceptional health care. Our practice was created to help individuals who are frustrated with not getting any answers from conventional medicine and want to truly create health and not just suppress symptoms. If you are looking for a doctor who will listen to your story and be a partner in your healing, then MCBH is the right place.
We are committed to helping people transform their health, but we understand MCBH may not be the right fit for everybody.
We are not the right fit for you if:
- You don’t believe that you can heal and be well
- You’re looking for holistic primary care for yourself or your family (we do not provide primary care services)
- You’re seeking a “quick fix”
- You’re not ready to invest in your health
- You’re willing to take supplements but do not want to make any lifestyle changes
- You’re skeptical of natural medicine and need to be convinced it works
- You’re seeking treatment for traumatic brain injury, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia (these areas are not our specialty)
- You’re not ready to commit the time and effort to following a plan to rebuild your health
We would be glad to work with you if:
- You’re experiencing cognitive decline that we can help with
- You have a family history of cognitive issues but you’re not yet experiencing any
- You have a genuine desire to optimize your brain health and you simply want to invest in yourself and your health
- You aren’t getting the answers you want from conventional medicine
- You believe healing is possible and you’re determined to get better
- You understand that natural medicine is science-based and effective
- You’re ready to commit the time and effort that it takes to follow a plan and build your health
- You understand change can be difficult but you’re motivated to heal
- You’re a health-conscious person who wants to optimize their wellness and prevent disease
- You truly value your health and are willing to invest in yourself and your future
I’ve been told there’s nothing I can do to help my brain. Can your program work for me?
How would you measure my cognitive health?
As part of the initial assessment or our Brain Optimization Program, we’ll evaluate areas such as memory, attention, reasoning and verbal ability-cognitive abilities that you need to optimally function in everyday life.
It’s not a test; it’s a quick brain check-up to see how you’re doing today, like a blood pressure reading for your brain. We all have some idea how our brains are doing. Some days we may feel “off” or have “brain fog”. But how much better are we on the good days? Are lifestyle or health choices making a difference? That’s where cognitive assessments come in. By putting some numbers to actual data, we’re able to discover what is creating the good days in order to have more of them. When your brain is performing optimally, every activity in your daily life will be easier, from remembering where you parked your car to balancing your checkbook.
Our doctors are trained in understanding these evaluations making sure any information or recommendations target the specific areas that require attention.
How long will it take until I see results?
Brain and cognitive health are often complicated and complex. There are no “quick fixes” when it comes to optimizing brain health. While some people see some results fairly quickly – three months or so, sometimes cognitive improvement is measured over months and years. The conditions which lead to neurodegeneration typically develop over years– it simply does not reverse in a week or two.
MCBH’s Brain Optimization Programs require an investment of time and effort on the part of the participant. Most people are familiar with the conventional medical model which often recommends drugs to manage or suppress symptoms. For many people, this approach does not work well. Our programs are focused on helping you create the conditions of health in your life so your brain can heal. This takes time and we’re here to guide and support you on this journey.
How do I get started?
- Review MCBH’s Brain Optimization Program information
- Make a commitment to move forward
- Schedule a complimentary 15-minute discovery call with an MCBH practitioner.
Who are MCBH’s doctors?
Dr. Kenton Anderson, Dr. Holly Wurtz and Dr. Rowena Chua are MCBH’s highly trained practitioners specializing in brain health optimization.View our doctors’ bios here.
How are NDs different from MDs?
Naturopathic doctors complete a clinical internship with over 1,100 hours of patient care and take rigorous board exams to become licensed or registered by a state or Canadian province.
NDs speak and understand the language of conventional medicine, but their philosophy is different. Naturopathic medical education places a greater emphasis on healthy lifestyles, natural therapies and disease prevention. NDs also learn to use therapies such as Chinese medicine, physical medicine, counseling and homeopathy.
Naturopathic medicine is based on the philosophy that disease is a manifestation of the totality of the environment in which a person lives – science validates this philosophy. The environment includes: diet, exercise, water, sleep, stress management, access to healthcare, limiting beliefs, spiritual beliefs, genetic predispositions, toxin exposure, etc. A naturopathic doctor determines which elements of a patient’s environment are contributing to their health negatively and helps the person restore balance.
Naturopathic doctors correct the underlying disturbances that are contributing to a person’s illness rather than only suppressing symptoms. NDs prioritize gentle, non-invasive therapies first and use drug treatments or surgery only when necessary. Prevention of disease is paramount to naturopathic practice and NDs work to intervene before illness develops. Naturopathic doctors are known for spending a considerable amount of time with their patients, which is in contrast to the short appointments that are common in the conventional setting.
This is not to say that Naturopathic Medicine and Conventional Medicine are exclusive of each other. The appropriate application of the philosophies is dependent upon both the condition and the patient themselves.
What is Functional Medicine?
There is often a gap between the integration of cutting edge research and medical practice. Functional medicine can bridge this gap as it is an integrative, science-based approach. It considers all aspects of a person’s health including emotions, social and geographical influences, environmental toxicities, genetics and biochemical individuality. Functional medicine practitioners use advanced laboratory testing that provides detailed information about hormones, nutrient status, detoxification capacity and more.
Functional medicine emphasizes prevention and recognizes that chronic disease is preceded by chronic imbalances that can be stopped and reversed. This means that your practitioner will work to identify the root cause of your issues so you can get the answers you are looking for.
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