What Is NeuroStar TMS Therapy?
About NeuroStar® TMS Therapy
The prevailing scientific explanation for the origin of depression suggests that an uneven distribution of neurotransmitters in the brain, which serve as chemical messengers between brain cells, is responsible. Depression is linked to diminished brain activity in specific brain regions.
At A Healthy Mind, we employ Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) with NeuroStar Advanced Therapy to address depression. TMS focuses on the targeted areas of the brain to increase activity and manage depression symptoms. NeuroStar does not use electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Source: Mark George, MD, Biological Psychiatry Branch Division of Intramural Research Programs, National Institute of Mental Health,1993
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What is NeuroStar Advanced Therapy (TMS)?
When performing NeuroStar TMS therapy, we utilize a magnet that has the same strength as an MRI machine to stimulate the region of the brain that controls mood. The pulses emitted by the magnet are believed to boost the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, which could lead to sustained remission over time.
- Therapy sessions are held at your NeuroStar doctor’s office
- No anesthetics: You’re awake during your session
- No downtime: You can go about the rest of your day normally
- Your memory and sleep will not be affected negatively
- Most insurance plans offer coverage including Tricare
- NeuroStar TMS treatment uses no sedation or anesthesia, and the sessions have no recovery time. There is no affect on your alertness, so you can drive home after your treatment and get back to your normal activities.
What To Expect
What to expect from a NeuroStar Advanced Therapy (TMS) treatment session:
Before Your Treatment
Take a moment to unwind and settle into a cozy treatment chair, while your doctor gently positions a small, curved magnetic coil on your head.
During Your Treatment
While administering magnetic stimulation to targeted regions of your brain, you will experience a mild tapping sensation on your head accompanied by a clicking noise.
After Your Treatment
The duration of each NeuroStar Advanced Therapy session varies between 19 to 37 minutes, based on the recommendation of your doctor.
Get Back to the Rest of Your Day Right Away
NeuroStar TMS Therapy treatments will not affect your alertness or memory, allowing you to safely drive to and from your in-office sessions. You will undergo 19-37 minute therapy sessions five days a week, for a period of seven weeks, based on your doctor’s advice.
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Frequently Asked Questions About TMS
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is a non-invasive technique that employs magnetic fields to activate nerve cells in the brain and ameliorate the signs of depression. TMS is usually recommended when antidepressant medications have proven ineffective or have stopped functioning.
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) entails administering magnetic pulses to precise regions of the brain.
The standard starting course of treatment for TMS lasts for approximately 19-37 minutes per day, and continues for a duration of four to seven weeks.
Most commercial insurance plans now acknowledge the efficacy of TMS Therapy in treating depression, and include TMS as a covered service in their plans.
TMS does not spread through the bloodstream, and therefore, does not produce side effects such as weight gain, dry mouth, sexual dysfunction, nausea, or sedation. The most commonly reported side effects during clinical trials were mild to moderate headache and discomfort in the scalp. These side effects generally occurred less frequently after the first week of treatment.
No, TMS Therapy is a distinct approach that utilizes pulsed magnetic fields to provide therapeutic benefits. The magnetic field’s intensity is comparable to that of an MRI, distinguishing this technique from the widespread utilization of low-intensity, static magnetic fields. These products offer feeble, unfocused static fields that cannot stimulate brain cells. TMS’s effectiveness is largely due to its ability to activate and stimulate brain cells.
