TMS Therapy
What is TMS Therapy?
TMS therapy, short for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, is a safe, non-invasive procedure that stimulates areas of the brain affected by clinical depression. Patients often experience improved mood, focus, relaxation, and overall well-being as a result. Hence, it’s a promising option for people with major depressive disorder (MDD) who haven't responded well to antidepressants or are experiencing side effects. It needs to be used alongside medication.
At Shore Clinical TMS & Wellness Center, we've witnessed firsthand the transformative effects of TMS therapy, helping people from all walks of life overcome depression and reclaim their lives.
Benefits of TMS Treatment
Effective: TMS therapy offers hope beyond depression, showing promise in treating a range of brain disorders, including anxiety and cognitive impairment. Studies have shown that over 60% of patients experience a significant reduction in depression symptoms, with one-third achieving full remission.
Non-invasive and Medication-free: Unlike traditional medications or procedures, TMS is non-invasive, and nothing enters the bloodstream. You can thus avoid medication side effects like weight gain or memory loss.
Safe and FDA-approved: In 2008, the FDA approved the use of TMS as a medically safe and effective solution for treatment-resistant depression and other mental disorders.
How TMS Works
TMS therapy works by delivering electromagnetic pulses to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a brain region shown to be not as active in depression. In fact, the DLPFC is known to be directly associated with mood regulation, motivation, decision-making, memory, and cognition, among other things.
Stimulating this area with TMS through neuroplasticity causes the brain to change at a microscopic level and to create new connections with deeper parts of the brain. Once the deep limbic system structures change, so do your emotional and behavioral patterns! Ultimately, this pharmaceutical-free intervention improves the brain’s ability to regulate mood, emotion, motivation, and many other aspects of cognition.
MagVenture TMS Device:
- Magnetic stimulator
- Magnetic coil for locating the patient’s unique treatment spot and intensity level (for motor threshold determination)
- Magnetic coil for the actual TMS treatment
- Cooling unit which allows consecutive treatment sessions with no danger of the coil overheating
- Trolley for the stimulator
- Comfortable treatment chair
- Pillow that shapes around the head to keep you stable during the MagVenture TMS Therapy
- Cotton caps to facilitate easy marking of your treatment location and repositioning on your head after the initial TMS session
Using an advanced MagVenture TMS machine and coil, our clinic administers a series of brief, repetitive magnetic pulses tailored to your unique needs. While the magnetic stimulation is being administered, our TMS technician will ask you questions regarding your progress with the treatment, so that protocols can be personalized and altered as needed.
Each session lasts less than an hour, with treatments typically spanning 4 to 6 weeks. You’ll receive personalized treatment caps and experience pulses targeted at the limbic system, inducing neuronal activity crucial for emotional and behavioral well-being. Treatment is both convenient and efficient, allowing you to easily resume your daily activities.
Note: Since TMS uses magnetic pulses, we’ll ask you to remove any magnetic-sensitive objects (such as jewelry, hearing aids, or hairpins) before beginning a TMS session. You’re also required to wear earplugs during treatment for your comfort and hearing protection.
Types of TMS Therapy
Regular TMS (rTMS)
rTMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in the brain, particularly in areas associated with mood regulation. It's effective for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) and is typically administered in daily sessions over several weeks.
Deep TMS
Deep TMS penetrates deeper into the brain, reaching broader areas and stimulating deeper neural networks than rTMS. It uses a specialized coil to target brain regions linked to complex mental health conditions, including OCD (as approved by the FDA) and certain types of depression.
Accelerated TMS
Accelerated TMS is a fast-tracked version of TMS therapy that uses Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) to deliver the benefits of TMS in a shorter timeframe than that of rTMS. It allows for multiple sessions per day, reducing the overall treatment period from weeks to just a few days.
Why Choose TMS at Shore Clinical TMS & Wellness Center?
Our team of experienced TMS physicians understands the struggles of depression and is dedicated to helping you find relief.
Benefits You'll Experience
- Proven Effectiveness: With FDA clearance and a track record of success, TMS for depression has become a cornerstone of our mental health treatment approach.
- Personalized Care: Our team tailors each treatment plan to meet the unique needs of every single person, ensuring the best possible outcomes.
- Comprehensive Support: From initial consultation to ongoing care, we provide comprehensive support every step of the way, helping you feel understood and empowered throughout your journey toward mental wellness.
- Insurance coverage: We help you navigate the reimbursement and financing process.
Unlock hope and embrace a brighter future with TMS therapy at Shore Clinical TMS & Wellness Center. Contact us today to begin your journey toward healing!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on TMS Therapy
Who administers TMS?
Our TMS physician always prescribes TMS and determines the initial motor threshold (the optimal amplitude of treatment). The treatment itself is administered by an experienced TMS technician under the supervision of the TMS physician. They will always be present to monitor the patient during the treatment. The patient can stop a treatment at any time by requesting the staff member present.
How long does TMS therapy last?
A total course of TMS treatment consists of 36 sessions completed in about 7-8 weeks. The first 30 sessions are 5 days per week (Monday through Friday), and the last 6 sessions are usually tapered in a 3-2-1 fashion at Dr. Gowda’s discretion. The first appointment will be about 40 minutes long because informed consent forms, initial brain mapping, and motor thresholds must be completed before starting. Otherwise, each treatment is approximately 20 to 30 minutes long.
Remission rates vary per patient. It’s not uncommon to see many people enjoy the TMS benefits for 1 to 3 years or more.
Does TMS therapy actually work?
Studies have shown that TMS is effective in Major Depressive Disorder treatment. For more information, please refer to our TMS results.
What are the signs that TMS is working?
You’ll know if TMS is working when you notice a gradual improvement in your mood over an extended time period. Some people may feel the effects of TMS therapy within the first few weeks of receiving the treatment. Others may not notice any effects unless they complete the full course of TMS treatment.
Does TMS have side effects?
Virtually, none. Compared to other treatments for depression, TMS is generally well-tolerated. The most common side effects reported by patients are mild discomfort at the treatment site, blurry vision, fatigue, facial twitching, temporary tinnitus and possible hearing loss. Development of a slight headache during the first week of treatment is also possible. If you experience a headache, inform your TMS physician immediately, so they can make coil adjustments to avoid any discomfort.
The most serious risk of TMS is seizures. However, the risk of a seizure is exceptionally low, and a thorough check on a client’s medical history is conducted to rule out this risk.
Who should not get TMS therapy?
Patients with a history of seizures may not be eligible for TMS treatment, although this can be discussed with the doctor. Patients with any type of non-removable metal in their heads (with the exception of braces or dental fillings) should not receive TMS. Failure to follow this rule could cause the object to heat up, move, or malfunction, and result in serious injury or even death.
The following is a list of metal implants that can prevent a patient from receiving TMS:
- Aneurysm clips or coils
- Stents in the neck or the brain
- Deep brain stimulators
- Electrodes to monitor brain activity
- Cochlear implants in your ears
- Shrapnel or bullet fragments in or near the head
- Facial tattoos with metallic or magnetic-sensitive ink
If someone had an MRI done in the past, they can generally go for TMS.
Is TMS therapy covered by insurance?
Most insurances cover TMS therapy as it’s more cost-effective in the long term, and results in substantial improvement in the patient’s quality of life. However, the coverage eligibility policy varies among different carriers. For example, to be eligible for TMS insurance coverage, Horizon BCBS requires failure of at least 2 antidepressants from 2 different medication classes, failure of a trial of psychotherapy, along with proof the patient is still suffering from depression.
We currently participate in most commercial insurances, including, but not limited to, Medicare, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Our staff handles all insurance authorizations for you - while you focus on your well-being.
What do I do when my TMS treatment is completed?
After you complete the first 30 TMS sessions, the last 6 sessions are usually tapered out over a two-week period. Depending on your insurance, you may be approved for an additional 15 maintenance TMS treatments after your 36th session.