What is TMS?

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation —TMS for short— is a non-invasive procedure which is used to stimulate parts of the brain responsible for mood regulation and control. A TMS Machine uses magnetic fields to provide magnetic pulses to parts of the brain which have decreased activity. These magnetic pulses activate these target areas, and alleviate symptoms of depression. The procedure is painless and the patient is alert and conscious for the entire duration. TMS is a cutting-edge treatment, and has shown great promise in clinical trials. It is covered by major insurance carriers for individuals who have not responded to traditional treatments for depression (such as medications and talk therapy). To learn more, you can watch some informational videos here.

The Procedure

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TMS is done in an office setting. It does not require anaesthesia, and patients are able to drive themselves to and from treatment sessions.

  • The first step in providing TMS is determining the ideal placement of the apparatus on the scalp and the ideal intensity of the stimulation. The physician performs the "mapping procedure" which uses state-of-the-art technology to locate the exact part of the brtain that needs to be stimulated. The mapping takes approximately 30-60 minutes. At our practice we use StimGuide, which uses four physical markers and a 3D camera to triangulate the exact position of the patient’s head in relation to the coil. The system is able to track the distance, rotation, and pitch in real-time.
  • After mapping is complete, treatment sessions are set-up. For most patients, treatment sessions are scheduled for five days a week, for five to seven weeks. Each session is approximately 30 minutes each, and involves placement of the coil by our technician, and administration of the magnetic pulses. The patient remains conscious throughout the procedure and does not feel any discomfort. Our technician stays with the patient for the entire duration, to ensure that the patient is safe and comfortable.

Side-Effects

Unlike medications, TMS has few side effects. The placement of the coil on the scalp may cause slight temporary discomfort on the skin. Some patients may experience mild headache or lightheadedness.

Indications for TMS

TMS has been studied and shown to be effective for depression, anxiety and OCD. At the current time, TMS only has approval for patients with depression who are older than eighteen-years-old, and who have not responded to (or have had side effects from) medications and/or talk-therapy.

Our Equipment

Horizon Performance

Our service uses the Horizon Performance TMS machine from magstim. This set-up is the newest and most reliable TMS option available on the market, and has complete functionality to ensure accuracy and precision.

StimGuide Navigation

In order to place the pulses with the highest degree of accuracy, we utilize StimGuide Navigation. The 3D navigation system aligns four distinct parameters to guide clinicians to a precise target area for treatment, reducing any potential variability in treatment and improving confidence and consistency in the delivery of the TMS.

Our Team

Contact Us

Any question? Reach out to us and we’ll get back to you shortly.