Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy is a non-invasive procedure used to treat various mental health conditions, notably major depressive disorder (MDD) that doesn’t respond well to traditional treatments like medications or therapy. It involves the use of magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression.

During a TMS session, an electromagnetic coil is placed against the scalp near the forehead, and it delivers repetitive magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in the region of the brain involved in mood regulation and depression. This stimulation is thought to activate regions of the brain that are underactive in depression and help alleviate depressive symptoms.

TRY TMS! A Proven Alternative Treatment for Depression

The PHQ-10 takes less than 3 minutes to complete and simply scores each of the 10 DSM-IV criteria for depression based on the mood module from the original PRIME-MD.  Primary care providers frequently use the PHQ-10 to screen for depression in patients.

This therapy may be right for you if:

• You’ve been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and haven’t found relief through antidepressant medications.
• You’re looking for non-drug, non-invasive treatment approach.
• You’ve experienced unwanted side effects from medications.
• You’re living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and seeking additional options.
• You’re searching for a safe, evidence-based therapy with real clinical results.

PET scan images show adult brain activity. Source: mark George, MD, Biological Psychiatry Branch, Division of Intramural Research Programs, NIMH 1993

Medical treatments for depression are usually centered around antidepressants that rely on the systems in your body to deliver relief. NeuroStar® Advanced TMS treatments go right to the source of depression-your brain.

There are specific areas in your brain that control mood. When synapses in those mood-regulating areas are underactive, connections are broken and depression can result. NeuroStar® revitalizes those dormant synapses, “waking up” the brain to function as it was meant to.

NeuroStar® TMS doesn’t go through the digestive system or affect the rest of the body, so it has none of the common side effects associated with medications. This allows NeuroStar® to treat depression safely, without the common side effects of medication.