We work with you closely to develop a comprehensive treatment plan to achieve the best possible results. Included in your treatment are free mindfulness training and heart rate variability training designed to enhance your response to TMS.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TMS
1 What is TMS?
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an office-based procedure used to help people who suffer from mental health conditions who have not responded to traditional medications. Using strong magnetic fields, we are able to directly modify the pathways in your brain involved in depression, OCD, nicotine dependence, and even PTSD. TMS can be used to treat a variety of other conditions as well; follow this link to learn more about Advanced TMS practices.
2 What is included with the TMS Program?
We offer a complete program designed to optimize your treatment response. We are the only TMS providers in the area to integrate free mindfulness training, heart rate variability training, genetic counseling, and symptom tracking software to further enhance the efficacy of your TMS treatments.
3 How effective is TMS?
Studies have shown 60% to 75% of people respond positively to TMS, with about 50% achieving remission. This is an impressive response rate considering that 100% of the people studied had failed to respond to routine medications.
4 Is TMS safe?
TMS is incredibly safe. The most common side effects are headache, scalp discomfort, or a sore jaw. These are typically only present during the procedure itself and resolve shortly after each treatment. If necessary, these symptoms can be managed with over the counter medications like Ibuprofen or Tylenol. Because we are only stimulating the cortex, you will not experience any of the systemic side effects common with oral antidepressants.
5 What can I expect for each treatment?
At the start of each treatment we will bring you back to the TMS room where you will be seated in front of the TMS machine. A blue cap will be placed on your head for localization purposes. The TMS helmet will then be placed on top of the cap and secured. During your first session, we will try various helmet positions and pulse intensities to find your motor cortex and your motor threshold (the amount of energy needed to stimulate your cortex) by seeing a small motor twitch in your hand or foot. You will then have your treatment which consists of brief taps (for about 2 seconds) followed by rest periods (of about 20 seconds). This lasts about 20 minutes to complete the treatment.
6 How can I get started?
All you need to do is email our dedicated TMS Coordinator, Aminah Simms, and we will call you back promptly to tell you more about the program and to discuss how we can help you.
What TMS Patients Say:
“I got tired of the medication and wanted to try something different. I liked the lack of side effects with TMS. Within a few weeks I noticed I was sleeping better and looking forward to coming in for my treatments.”