TMS devices work by generating highly concentrated electromagnetic pulses which turn on and off very rapidly. These pulses are targeted at areas of the brain involved in mood regulation and shown to be inactive in patients suffering from depression.

As these magnetic fields move into the brain, they produce very small electrical currents. These electrical currents are thought to activate brain cells in these inactive regions and release neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine – all of which work to naturally help lesson the symptoms of depression.

The exact mechanics of TMS Therapy are still of an unknown origin, but the science behind TMS is constantly being explored and understood. Today, researchers can only observe the effects that electromagnetic stimulation from TMS has on the brain. However this is changing as more study goes into TMS technology.

TMS Therapy is a new and alternative therapy cleared by the FDA in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder, specifically when medicines have not yielded satisfactory results.

TMS Therapy utilizes an electromagnetic pulse to activate regions of the brain that are made dormant by depression. The subsequent raising of neurotransmitter levels in these regions is thought to be what lessons the symptoms of depression.

It usually takes time for healthcare insurers to establish coverage policies for newly approved treatments such as TMS Therapy. To date, many commercial and Medicare plans have included at least partial coverage for TMS Therapy, with more providers adding coverage every year.

TMS is non-systemic (does not circulate in the blood throughout the body), so it does not have side effects such as weight gain, sexual dysfunction, nausea, dry mouth, sedation, etc. The most common side effects reported during clinical trials were headache and scalp discomfort – generally mild to moderate – occurring less frequently after the first week of treatment.

No. TMS Therapy utilizes a highly focused electromagnetic pulse with an intensity similar to that of an MRI machine. Other popularized uses of magnets for health benefits involve using a static magnetic field. These products deliver weak and undirected static fields which are not capable of activating brain cells.

While both TMS and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) are effective in the treatment of depression, there are many differences in safety and tolerability. Both are designed to treat depression through the application of energy into the brain, but the similarities quickly dissolve.

ECT is a much more intensive and invasive procedure than is TMS Therapy. ECT applies electicity to the brain, which is designed to create seizures and requires hospitalization. The side effects from ECT are much more intense and occur in more instances. TMS utilizes electromagnetic pulses, and is an outpatient procedure with little side-effects.

The ability for TMS to provide relief of symptoms varies greatly from person. Therefore the length of a TMS Therapy course can vary greatly. Your doctor will recommend a schedule of sessions based on your individual need and response to treatment. So while patients typically receive 20-30 treatments over a 4-6 week period, the actual number of treatments can range anywhere from 10-60 treatments over a 4-10 week period. Treatments are performed during the weekdays usually five days a week and each procedure lasts approximately 30-60 minutes.

TMS is a generally safe procedure with over two decades of intense clinical and scientific research behind it. In 10,000 treatments during clinical trials, the most common side effects is mild to moderate scalp discomfort and mild headaches, both of which usually went away in the first week of treatments. In a very small percentage of instances there were reports of acute memory loss, minimal cognition interruption, facial twitching, and seizures. These side effects were acute and TMS showed no long-term issues.

No, the most common side effect related to treatment was scalp discomfort during treatment sessions. This side effect was generally mild to moderate, and occurred less frequently after the first week of treatment.

If necessary, you can treat this discomfort with an over-the-counter analgesic. If these side effects persist, your doctor can temporarily reduce the strength of the magnetic field pulses being administered in order to make treatment more comfortable.

Maintenance TMS is a large area of study with this technology. In a clinical trial, 2 out of 3 patients who had either responded to treatment or completely remitted their depression symptoms reported 12 months later that they remained at the level they were at the end of the trial. Additionally, after the trial, only 1 in 3 patients needed to return for ‘maintenance’ TMS sessions.