Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy
A New Option for Depression Relief
Living with depression can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve tried multiple treatments with little to no success. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) may offer an alternative to traditional treatments, helping you regain a sense of balance and well-being when other options haven’t worked.
What is TMS Therapy?
TMS Therapy is a non-invasive procedure that uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain that may be underactive in people with depression. Unlike medications, TMS does not go into the bloodstream, so it avoids the side effects associated with antidepressants.
How Does TMS Work?
For individuals with depression, certain areas of the brain show reduced activity. TMS targets these areas, aiming to ‘wake up’ these brain cells and restore activity levels. For many people with treatment-resistant depression, this increased brain activity can lead to relief from symptoms.
Your Treatment Experience
Each TMS session lasts between 3 and 37 minutes. Treatment is typically scheduled five days a week over six weeks. During each session, you’ll sit comfortably while a magnetic coil is placed on your head. You may feel a light tapping sensation, but you’ll be awake and alert the entire time.
Getting Started with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Step 1
Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation:
Meet with our team to determine if TMS Therapy is the right option for you.
Step 2
Book an Appointment:
Once approved, book your first appointment to begin your treatment in a trusted, supportive setting.
Insurance and Payment Information
TMS is covered by most insurance providers including Medicare (and also by Medicaid in some states). Prior authorization is typically required for insurance coverage - your physician will manage this process.
Is TMS Right for You?
If depression treatments haven’t worked for you or if side effects have been hard to tolerate, TMS might be the next step to consider.
We encourage you to schedule a free consultation to explore if TMS Therapy is the right choice for you.
TMS Therapy FAQ
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TMS is typically prescribed when antidepressants have failed, or the side effects are intolerable. Antidepressants are systemic, which means that the medication is absorbed into the blood stream. This can cause numerous side effects. TMS is a non-invasive, outpatient procedure with no systemic side effects.
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TMS is performed in a doctor’s office or clinic. Treatment sessions last from 3 - 37.5 minutes and are typically performed 5 days per week, over a six-week period. You will be seated in a comfortable chair; some measurements may be taken and you may be provided with earplugs. Your doctor will position the magnetic coil on your head and treatment will begin. You may feel a moderate tapping on your head under the treatment coil and you will remain awake and alert throughout treatment. Following your session, you will be able to drive home and you can resume normal activities for the rest of the day.
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TMS is a safe and well tolerated treatment that is not associated with any of the systemic side effects typically experienced with antidepressants. Clinical studies show that the most common side effects are mild to moderate scalp discomfort and mild headaches, both of which are short term. *Short-term transient side effects have been noted in some cases. There have been infrequent reports of seizures associated with TMS.
The estimated seizure risk is 0.03% of treatment sessions, or <1% of patients.