Brain Recovery
Welcome to the Brain Recovery Association
The Brain Recovery Association is an international organization dedicated to advancing innovative neurorehabilitation for people living with the consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion, stroke, and other neurological disorders.
Our mission is to bridge clinical experience with emerging neuroscience by developing practical, non-invasive treatment approaches that support the brain's natural ability to reorganize and recover through neuroplasticity.
At the heart of our work is the Brain Recovery Protocol, developed by Dr. Joseph Shafer. This multimodal approach combines Transcranial Static Magnetic Stimulation (TSMS), Paired Associative Stimulation (PAS), and Transcranial Vibration Mapping (TVM) to identify and stimulate specific brain networks involved in movement and neurological function. Rather than treating symptoms alone, the protocol aims to facilitate the brain's own capacity to establish stronger and more efficient neural connections.
A recently completed independent pilot study in stroke rehabilitation demonstrated encouraging improvements in objective gait performance while confirming the safety and feasibility of the protocol. Although larger clinical trials are still required, these early findings provide an important scientific foundation for further research and clinical development.
Understanding Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury can result from a fall, sports injury, road traffic accident, workplace incident, or any impact that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. Even injuries that are initially considered "mild" may lead to Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms (PPCS) that can last for months or even years.
Stroke can produce many of the same neurological challenges by disrupting normal communication within the brain.
Common symptoms include:
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headaches
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dizziness
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fatigue
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brain fog
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memory and concentration difficulties
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sleep disturbances
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anxiety and depression
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balance problems
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blurred vision
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sensitivity to light and sound
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reduced coordination
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muscle weakness
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numbness or tingling
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walking difficulties
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speech and cognitive impairments
Because these symptoms often vary greatly between individuals, recovery requires a personalized approach.
Our Approach
Recovery after a neurological injury is different for every individual.
The Brain Recovery Protocol begins by identifying the brain networks that appear to be functioning less efficiently. Once these areas have been identified, carefully targeted magnetic stimulation is combined with precisely timed peripheral sensory stimulation. The goal is to encourage the brain to strengthen existing pathways and create new functional connections through neuroplasticity.
Our treatments are:
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completely non-invasive
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individualized for every patient
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performed alongside conventional rehabilitation where appropriate
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designed to complement—not replace—standard neurological care
The objective is always the same: to help patients regain function, improve quality of life, and maximize their recovery potential.
Research and Innovation
Scientific research forms the foundation of everything we do.
Our first investigator-initiated clinical pilot study demonstrated significant improvements in walking performance among stroke patients receiving the Brain Recovery Protocol compared with a sham-treated control group. These encouraging results support further large-scale clinical investigations and represent an important step toward evidence-based neurorehabilitation.
As our research program continues to grow, we remain committed to refining our methods through clinical studies and international collaboration.
Brain Recovery Academy
To make these treatment methods accessible to patients around the world, we established the Brain Recovery Academy.
The Academy provides structured education for healthcare professionals who wish to learn the Brain Recovery Protocol and integrate these techniques safely into clinical practice.
Our long-term vision is to build an international network of well-trained practitioners and Brain Recovery Centres, making innovative neurorehabilitation available to patients wherever they live.