TMS Therapy

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

TMS therapy is a revolutionary alternative therapy that has offered renewed hope to patients with persistent depression who were not successfully treated with conventional treatment. These individuals may have trialed multiple antidepressants and never found relief from the unrelenting depressive symptoms. Some individuals simply cannot tolerate the side effects associated with antidepressant drugs, so TMS therapy offers a sound alternative. TMS offers a safe, noninvasive treatment alternative for these medication-resistant patients.

What is TMS Therapy?

TMS Therapy is a form of brain stimulation that uses powerful magnetic fields that are delivered through a coil placed over the scalp. While the patient is seated comfortably and fully alert, the magnetic pulses target the area of the brain that is associated with mood regulation, memory, and concentration. The magnetic pulses then induce electrical currents that reach about two centimeters into the brain tissue in the prefrontal cortex, stimulating the dormant brain cells so often seen in depressed patients. Over a period of 4-6 weeks, the brain chemistry can be reset and the patient experiences notable improvements in mood, focus, energy, and sleep quality. TMS therapy is conducted without the need for any anesthesia, so patients can immediately return to their normal activities following the treatment sessions.

Is TMS Therapy Safe?

TMS therapy was FDA-cleared in 2008 following multiple clinical trials conducted globally demonstrated its safety and effectiveness in treating medication-resistant patients with major depressive disorder. Ongoing clinical trials and studies continue to confirm that the TMS therapy success rate is an effective new therapeutic tool for treating depression, and is very well tolerated by patients.

Is TMS Used in Conjunction with Conventional Therapies?

TMS therapy has been found to augment the treatment effects of traditional depression therapies, such as psychotherapy. In patients who had modest results with antidepressants, TMS can enhance the effects of antidepressants as an adjunct therapy.

Does TMS Only Treat Depression?

Since 2008 TMS therapy practitioners have found that patients who have co-occurring anxiety disorders, such as PTSD or generalized anxiety disorder, also saw improvements in those symptoms in addition to the depression symptoms. In Europe TMS therapy is approved for treating a wide array of mental health and medical conditions, including anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance use disorder, smoking cessation, schizophrenia, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and migraines.