TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) Treatment
NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy can help you win the battle against depression and anxiety. This non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment has no side effects. The long-lasting symptom relief is covered by most insurances. Over 5.6 million TMS treatments have been performed!
If you’re suffering from depression but your current medication isn’t working, has worn off, or is creating side effects, TMS may be the answer. TMS may be the more permanent solution you’re looking for.
How TMS Treatment Can Help Treat Depression
Depression is real.
Depression is a serious illness affecting more than 16 million American adults. It impacts the lives of over 6.7% of all U.S. adults. Often, a debilitating depression results in a state of sadness or loss of interest or pleasure. This state of sadness interferes with an individual’s thoughts, behavior, mood, and physical health.
Depression is deadly.
Depression can be a lethal disease. In fact, each year in the US, over 44,000 people die by suicide, 60% of whom suffer from depression.
Not all treatments work.
More than 4 million patients do not receive adequate benefit from antidepressants and/or cannot tolerate the side effects caused by them. These patients need a new way back to physical and mental health.
Depression results in a persistent state of sadness or a loss of the ability to experience pleasure. Those experiencing depression often lose interest in everyday activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed. According to the standard diagnosis guide (DSM-V) published by the American Psychiatric Association, depression is diagnosed when an individual is experiencing either a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure plus four or more of the following symptoms during the same two-week period:
- Significant weight loss (when not dieting) or weight gain (a change of more than five percent of body weight in a month)
- Significant increase or decrease in appetite
- Excessive sleepiness or insomnia
- Agitation and restlessness
- Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive and inappropriate guilt nearly every day
- Diminished ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
If you feel you are experiencing any of these depression symptoms, contact us and talk to us about your depression treatment options. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, also referred to as TMS Therapy, may provide an alternative depression treatment for those who have not benefited from prior antidepressant medication.
How TMS Treatment Works
TMS Therapy is a treatment that is performed in a psychiatric office setting, under the supervision of a psychiatric medical provider, using a medical device called the NeuroStar TMS Therapy system.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy uses short pulses of magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the area of the brain thought to control mood. It is sometimes referred to as rTMS, which stands for repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. TMS patients receiving TMS Therapy remain awake and alert during the procedure.
NeuroStar TMS Therapy is:
- Non-invasive, meaning that it does not involve surgery. It does not require any anesthesia or sedation, as the patient remains awake and alert during the treatment.
- Non-systemic, meaning that it is not taken by mouth and does not circulate in the bloodstream throughout the body.
- Structured, with a typical initial treatment course consisting of five treatments per week over a six- to nine-week period, for an average of 30–36 total treatments. Each treatment session lasts approximately 19–40 minutes, depending on the protocol determined by the provider.
When Antidepressants Aren’t Enough
We have long understood that sometimes medications and therapy just aren’t enough, and that some patients need more advanced treatment. You may be one of them. We are pleased to be able to offer TMS as an alternative treatment for depression. We are excited to work with you on your personalized TMS treatment plan. We are proud to offer NeuroStar® TMS Therapy to our patients.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy is one of the most technologically advanced depression treatments available. This non-invasive, outpatient therapy is FDA cleared and has helped thousands of depression patients who have not received adequate results from antidepressants.
Experience the Power of TMS Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NeuroStar TMS therapy covered by my insurance?
This treatment is covered by many insurances due to its effectiveness. Contact your insurer to find out if yours covers it!
Is TMS therapy a good alternative for patients who cannot tolerate the side effects associated with antidepressant medications?
Yes! It doesn’t cause side effects like weight gain, sexual dysfunction, etc., that are common with antidepressant medications. Mild side effects like headaches and scalp discomfort have occurred, but they are generally mild to moderate.
Is TMS therapy like other alternative therapies that use magnets to treat some illnesses?
No, TMS therapy uses pulsed magnetic fields with an intensity that’s similar to those used in magnetic resonance imaging or MRIs. These techniques differ radically from the popular use of low-intensity, static magnetic fields. These products deliver weak and undirected static fields that are not capable of activating brain cells.
Is TMS Therapy like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?
No—Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) are entirely different procedures. Although both are used to treat depression, they differ significantly in how they work, their safety profiles, and how patients experience them.
During a TMS session, the patient remains fully awake and seated comfortably for the entire treatment, which typically lasts between 19 and 37 minutes. TMS does not require any sedation or anesthesia, and patients can safely drive themselves to and from their appointments.
Across more than 10,000 NeuroStar TMS Therapy sessions conducted during clinical studies, no seizures have been reported.
ECT, sometimes referred to as “shock therapy,” works by intentionally inducing a seizure. It requires general anesthesia and the use of muscle relaxants, so patients are unconscious throughout the procedure. Recovery afterward can take some time, often requiring close monitoring for several minutes or even hours.
ECT is also known to cause short-term confusion and memory loss, and in some individuals, long-term memory problems can persist. Because of these potential side effects, patients often need considerable support and supervision from caregivers following treatment.
What is a typical course of treatment with NeuroStar TMS Therapy?
A typical course of TMS Therapy is five times per week for 19 to 37 minute sessions, depending on what the doctor determines is the correct protocol, over 7 weeks. Any additional treatments are based on clinical judgment.
What are the potential risks of NeuroStar TMS Therapy?
NeuroStar TMS Therapy has been shown to be well-tolerated, and the NeuroStar TMS Therapy system has been demonstrated to be safe in clinical trials. Throughout over 10,000 active treatments performed in clinical trials, the most commonly reported 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. Less than 5% of patients treated with NeuroStar TMS Therapy discontinued treatment due to side effects.
In NeuroStar clinical trials, over 10,000 TMS treatments demonstrated its safety, with no occurrence of seizures. However, there is a small risk of a seizure occurring during treatment. This risk is no greater than what has been observed with oral antidepressant medications.
While NeuroStar TMS Therapy has been demonstrated to be effective, not all patients will benefit from it. Patients should be carefully monitored for worsening symptoms, signs or symptoms of suicidal behavior, and/or unusual behavior. Families and caregivers should also be aware of the need to observe patients and notify their treatment provider if symptoms worsen.
Can NeuroStar TMS therapy cause brain tumors?
No, NeuroStar TMS therapy does not cause tumors. It uses magnetic fields that are similar in type and strength to those used in MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machines. MRIs have been safely performed on tens of millions of people worldwide without any evidence of tumor formation. In fact, the total magnetic energy delivered during an entire course of TMS Therapy is only a tiny fraction of the energy produced during a single MRI brain scan.
Is TMS therapy uncomfortable?
No. The most commonly reported side effect of NeuroStar TMS therapy is mild to moderate scalp discomfort experienced during treatment sessions. This sensation usually lessens as treatment continues, often improving after the first week.
If any discomfort occurs, it can typically be managed with an over-the-counter pain reliever. Should the symptoms continue, your physician can adjust the magnetic pulse intensity temporarily to help make the sessions more comfortable.
Fewer than 5% of patients receiving NeuroStar TMS therapy have chosen to stop treatment because of side effects.
How long does the antidepressant effect last? Will I need any therapy beyond the first treatment regimen?
NeuroStar TMS is the only transcranial magnetic stimulation system with proven long-term results lasting up to 12 months. In a clinical study, two-thirds of participants who either responded positively or achieved full remission from depression maintained their improvement a year after completing treatment. Furthermore, only about one-third of patients required additional “maintenance” TMS sessions following the initial course of therapy.
Can I also take antidepressant(s) if I am receiving NeuroStar TMS therapy?
Yes. In clinical trials, NeuroStar TMS Therapy was safely administered with and without other antidepressant medications.
Does FDA clearance of the NeuroStar TMS therapy system mean that all TMS devices are cleared for use in major depression within the United States?
No, the NeuroStar TMS therapy system is the first TMS device to be cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of major depression.
The NeuroStar TMS therapy system is also the first TMS device to have been evaluated in a large, multicenter, controlled clinical trial, as well as the only TMS system with the durability of its effects over 12 months established.
Real People, Real Stories
You’re Covered
Insurance Coverage
TMS therapy is now covered by major insurance companies including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, and TRICARE.
Our goal at Linden Point Clinical Associates P.C. is to make your financing process go as smoothly as possible. We have partnered with Neurostar Reimbursement Support program. Our internal team, combined with Neurostar’s Reimbursement team, works hard to get TMS approved by your insurance company.
We take:
