How Does TMS Therapy Work? - Active Path Mental Health in OR and WA

WHAT IS TMS & HOW DOES IT WORK?

TMS therapy for depression and OCD is FDA-cleared and covered by most insurance plans. Learn More

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Find out if NeuroStar TMS Therapy is right for you

For many people suffering from treatment-resistant depression, the fight to feel better can feel exhausting and endless. Medication can have numerous disruptive side effects, and it can takes years to see results with traditional methods of therapy.

 

But what if you could feel a change in just 6 weeks? That’s the power of TMS.

NeuroStar TMS Therapy offers an alternative, non-invasive FDA-cleared solution for severe depression.

Call us today – 425.222.2750

Kirkland’s premier

neurostar tms clinic

” I would say you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. And I think you’ll be surprised at what it can do for you.”

– Todd, Active Path Mental Health Patient

What is NeuroStar TMS?

NeuroStar TMS (or transcranial magnetic stimulation) is a safe and effective treatment for severe or treatment-resistant depression that is less disruptive to the lives of patients and their families and may be more appropriate than other therapies. If you’ve ever wondered how to control depression without medications, TMS could be the answer.

TMS is a noninvasive, FDA-cleared treatment for patients whose symptoms have not improved with at least two antidepressant prescription treatments or have not achieved the desired results. TMS for major depressive disorder is covered by most insurance plans.

How Does NeuroStar TMS Work?

NeuroStar TMS works by using magnetic pulses to transform the neural networks of the brain. These pulses work to stimulate increased cell activity in the areas of the brain that regulate mood.

One particular area, called the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex, is known to be underactive during depression. This stimulation, over the course of treatment, can result in the decrease of depression symptoms.

Are There Any Side Effects?

The side effects of TMS are generally mild and short lasting.

The most common side effects include:

  • Mild discomfort at or near the treatment site
  • Mild headache
  • Contracting or tingling of scalp, jaw or facial muscles

TMS technicians monitor each patient’s side effects and report these issues to the treating provider. Often these can be mitigated by reducing stimulation or taking over-the-counter medications prior to the procedure. Clinical studies of TMS have shown minimal side effects and no adverse effects on cognition or sleep.

In comparison, antidepressants are associated with a wide range of side effects, including blurred vision, dry mouth, fatigue, gastrointestinal distress, headache or migraine, insomnia, nausea, sexual dysfunction and weight gain.

How Effective is NeuroStar TMS?

Clinical studies indicate that 67% of patients have a good response to NeuroStar TMS, and 45% of patients with a good response maintain remission 12 months after treatment.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that some patients who experience a recurrence of their depressive symptoms usually respond to repeat sessions of TMS.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is Not TMS

A different neurostimulation therapy familiar to many is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Commonly referred to as electroshock therapy or electric shock therapy, ECT treatment has been available since the 1930s. ECT treatment uses electric shocks to trigger seizures in an attempt to change structural components of neural activity. It can cause memory loss and disorientation, along with a host of other severe side effects.

Questions?

Give us a call at 425.222.2750 to see if you or someone you love is a good candidate for TMS.