What is TMS? Can It Really Treat Depression?
TMS therapy is a FDA approved in-office treatment for Major Depression. TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. It is used to treat people whose symptoms have not improved with antidepressant medication therapy.
Where do I get treatments?
TMS therapy is a non-drug and non-invasive treatment delivered in the privacy of your doctor's office. No anesthesia or sedation are required.
How Long Does Treatment Last?
Treatments are individualized to each patient. On average each treatment session is between 19 to 37 minutes. During your sessions you remain awake and alert so you can use this time to catch up on reading, listen to music, play games, text, email, or even chat. After the session you can drive and go on with your day. Treatments are administered five days per week over the course of six to eight weeks.
What does TMS Feel Like?
During the treatment, you will hear a clicking sound and experience a sensation of something tapping on your head. The most common side effect is a slight pain or discomfort at or near the treatment site. This usually resolves during the first week of treatment and is easily controlled with over the counter tylenol or Ibuprofen.
Is TMS Effective?
Over 1 million treatments have been performed. 1 in 2 patients experienced significant improvement. While 1 in 3 patients were symptom free.
Why Does TMS Work?
PET scans show a depressed brain has very little activity. TMS therapy helps to activate the natural function of the brain’s neurotransmitters using a noninvasive magnetic field similar to that of an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
MidValley Can Help
If you are interested in this treatment and would like to learn more, contact MidValley Healthcare to make an appointment. We have a team of licensed professionals to work with clients on an individual basis to achieve a happier healthier life.