NeuroStar TMS Therapy
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy:
A Drug-Free Depression Treatment
If you are suffering from depression, not finding relief from medication, or frustrated with side effects from antidepressants, Neurostar TMS might be right for you. TMS by Neurostar is a non-invasive, drug-free alternative treatment for Major Depressive Disorder. It uses short magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in the area of the brain that controls mood. But let us be clear: it is NOT shock therapy. Neurostar TMS and has no effect on memory, concentration, or even sleep. Its magnetic waves are similar in strength to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The Neurostar TMS Experience
Over the course of 6 weeks, you receive daily sessions each lasting approximately 19 minutes. You sit comfortably in a chair and are fully awake. You may resume your daily activities immediately afterwards and may drive yourself to and from appointments.
Because TMS is not a drug, it doesn’t cause the side effects that are often associated with antidepressants. However, some patients report a slight headache that goes away quickly after treatment.
Some patients see relief from symptoms in as little as 2 weeks of treatment and many report becoming symptom free within 1 year. A recent study of real-world outcomes reported that 83% of respondents experienced notable relief. Of course, the full benefit is maximized after completing the entire 6 weeks of treatment. Treatment is typically covered by insurance.
You are a good candidate if you suffer from depression, major depressive disorder, or OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and are looking for relief without medication or its side effects.
FAQs About Neurostar TMS
Q: What is TMS for Mental Health?
TMS is a non-invasive FDA-cleared therapy that uses short magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in the area of the brain that controls mood. These pulses can have a lasting effect on the brain’s neurotransmitter levels helping people suffering from depression, anxiety symptoms in those with depression, and OCD achieve response and, in some cases, long-term remission from depression symptoms. Because TMS is not a drug, it doesn’t cause the side effects that are often associated with antidepressants.
Q: How does TMS work?
TMS is a non-drug and non-invasive treatment for depression, anxiety symptoms associated with depression and OCD delivered in our office. You recline comfortably in a TMS chair (much like a dentist’s chair or spa chair) during treatment. During a treatment session, precisely targeted magnetic pulses stimulate the mood-regulating areas in the brain. There is no anesthesia or sedation. You are fully awake and alert during treatment, and you can resume normal activities immediately after a treatment session.
Q: Is TMS right for me?
If you suffer from depression, anxiety symptoms associated with depression, or OCD but have not benefited from your current medications—or are not happy with their side effects—TMS may be right for you. TMS may also be a good choice if you have tried switching medications for depression but have still not found remission from your symptoms.
Q: Can TMS help me achieve remission from depression symptoms, and how long can it last?
TMS is a non-drug, non-invasive therapy that can help you achieve long-term relief from the symptoms of depression. Many people’s depression symptoms significantly improve or go away after 4 to 6 weeks of treatment. In clinical studies, TMS has been shown to provide acute treatment response and remission for over one year.
Q: Is TMS safe and does it have any side effects?
An FDA-cleared depression treatment, TMS Advanced Therapy is safe and easy to tolerate. Because it’s non-drug and non-invasive, it does not have the common systemic side effects of medication. TMS does not have any effects on cognition or sleep. The most common side effect associated with TMS is mild to moderate pain or discomfort that typically subsides within the first week of treatment.
Q: Does TMS cause memory loss?
TMS has been systematically evaluated for its effects on memory. These clinical trials demonstrated that TMS does not result in any adverse effects on memory or concentration.
Q: Do TMS treatments hurt?
During the session, you will feel a tapping sensation on your head. Each treatment session lasts around 19 minutes. Some TMS patients experience mild to moderate pain or discomfort at or near the treatment site during the first week of treatment. This is usually temporary and subsides in subsequent treatments.
Q: Is TMS the same as ECT (electroconvulsive therapy)?
TMS is not ECT (or electroconvulsive” shock” therapy). TMS employs TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation), which uses magnetic waves similar in strength to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). TMS is precise and focused, targeting treatment at the source of depression: your brain. With TMS you are fully awake and alert during treatment and may resume daily activities immediately afterwards. ECT, on the other hand, applies direct electrical current through the skull and into the brain rather than magnetic waves. Because ECT uses direct electrical current, it must be done under anesthesia.
Q: Is TMS covered by insurance?
TMS Therapy for depression is covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare and Tricare, usually after medication options have proven ineffective in your major depression treatment.