TMS Therapy
Our Scheduling Process
Continue down this page for more information on TMS therapy: what it is, how it works, and why it might be right for you!
If you are interested in scheduling a consultation with our office, please fill out the questionnaire by clicking on the link marked Patient Questionnaire.
After we recieve this information, our TMS Coordinator will contact you to review any additional information that we might need. Once we have your completed questionnaire, we will most likely ask you to fill out a Release of Information (link below) so that we may obtain records from previous prescribing providers.
If clients meet the criteria for treatment with TMS for depression, the TMS Coordinator will then schedule you for a clinical consultation with a medical provider and we will gather benefit information from your insurance company. At the clinical consultation we will go over the details of TMS therapy with you, answer any questions you may have, and start the process of prior authorization of services with your insurance company (if warranted). Once this is approved, we can move forward with scheduling you for a round of treatment.
Please click on the link above to access our patient questionnaire, which will be submitted directly to our TMS Coordinator.
Once we have reviewed your Patient Questionnaire, we may request that you fill out a Release of Information so that our office may obtain prior medical records, if warranted, in preparation for a clinical consulation with our medical providers.
Click the button to fill out our Patient Questionairre form and request a Consultation Appointment!
Why Choose TMS?
Depression is a treatable condition, but for some people, standard treatments aren't effective. Repetitive TMS is typically used when standard treatments such as medications and talk therapy (psychotherapy) don't work. TMS treatment is covered by most health insurance policies.
Is TMS Right For Me?
Have you been treated for depression and not benefited from medications?
Have you had side effects from those medications?
Are you searching for a drug free depression solution?
Do you want the safety of an FDA cleared depression solution?
Do you want to get help?
Fill out the Patient Questionnaire below to request a consultation:
TMS Therapy is contraindicated in individuals with implanted metallic devices or non-removable metallic objects in or around the head.
What is TMS?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. TMS is typically used when other depression treatments haven't been effective.
This treatment for depression involves delivering repetitive magnetic pulses, so it's called repetitive TMS or rTMS.
How does TMS work?
During an rTMS session, an electromagnetic coil is placed against your scalp near your forehead. The electromagnet painlessly delivers a magnetic pulse that stimulates nerve cells in the region of your brain involved in mood control and depression. It's thought to activate regions of the brain that have decreased activity in depression. (the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex).
As these magnetic fields move into the brain, they produce very small electrical currents. These electrical currents activate cells within the brain, causing them to rewire, a process called neuroplasticity. In addition, TMS is thought to release neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Since depression is thought to be the result of an imbalance of these chemicals in the brain and incorrect pathways of brain networks, TMS can restore that balance and, thus, relieve depression.
TMS has also been FDA approved for the treatment of OCD. Other conditions for which TMS has been studied include anxiety, PTSD, Alzheimer's, ADHD, neuropathic pain, tinnitus, Parkinson's disease, fibromyalgia, stroke recovery, epilepsy, and migrane headaches.
Side Effects and Risks
Repetitive TMS is a noninvasive form of brain stimulation used for depression. Unlike vagus nerve stimulation or deep brain stimulation, rTMS does not require surgery or implantation of electrodes. And, unlike electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), rTMS doesn't cause seizures or require sedation with anesthesia.
Generally, rTMS is considered safe and well-tolerated. However, it can cause some side effects.
Common side effects
Side effects are generally mild to moderate and improve shortly after an individual session and decrease over time with additional sessions. They may include:
Headache
Scalp discomfort at the site of stimulation
Tingling, spasms or twitching of facial muscles
Lightheadedness
Your doctor can adjust the level of stimulation to reduce symptoms or may recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain medication before the procedure.
Uncommon side effects
Serious side effects are rare. They may include:
Seizures
Mania, particularly in people with bipolar disorder
Hearing loss if there is inadequate ear protection during treatment
More study is needed to determine whether rTMS may have any long-term side effects.
Helpful Resources
Neal Brennan shares TMS experience with Trevor Noah
Education Links From Major Teaching Hospitals
Harvard
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): Hope for stubborn depression
John's Hopkins
Frequently Asked Questions About TMS
Stanford
Intense magnetic stimulation could reduce severe depression, new study shows