WHAT TO EXPECT

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 Transcranial magnetic stimulation, often referred to as 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 antidepressant medications haven’t been effective, have ceased working, or as an  alternative to medication.

 TMS involves delivering magnetic pulses to specific parts of the brain. 

A typical initial course of treatment is about 19-37 minutes daily over 4-6 weeks 

A vast majority of commercial and Medicare plans have recognized the effectiveness of treating depression with TMS Therapy and now cover TMS as part of their plans.  

TMS does not circulate in the blood throughout the body, so it does not have side effects like weight  gain, sexual dysfunction, nausea, dry mouth, sedation, etc. The most common side effects reported  during clinical trials were headache and scalp discomfort —generally mild to moderate—occurring  less frequently after the first week of treatment. 

No. TMS Therapy involves a unique method of using pulsed magnetic fields for a therapeutic benefit.  The intensity of the magnetic field is similar to that of an MRI. These techniques differ radically from  the popular use of low intensity, static magnetic fields. Those products deliver weak and undirected  static fields that are not capable of activating brain cells. The activation and stimulation of brain cells  is a key part of why TMS is so effective.