A Proven Non-drug Treatment
Many Benefits of TMS Therapy
- FDA Cleared
- Non-drug
- Non-invasive
- No side effects of drugs
- Not ECT
- Long Lasting Relief
- Covered by Insurance
- Proven to work
Magnetic energy similar to what is used in an (MRI) is used to stimulate the areas of the brain that are sluggish and causing depressed mood.
Clinical trials have demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of Magtism® TMS Therapy in treating patients who have not benefited from prior antidepressant medication. Magstim TMS Therapy was studied in adult patients suffering from Major Depressive Disorder, all of whom had not received satisfactory improvement with previous treatments.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a series of repetitive, brief and highly focused magnetic pulses, used to stimulate brain cells. TMS is an effective, non-invasive, outpatient treatment with few known side effects.
TMS is currently used in the treatment of depression and is usually prescribed when anti-depressants have failed.
When a nerve cell ‘fires’, an electrical impulse travels along its length. It communicates with other nerve cells by releasing neuro-transmitters, which create an electrical impulse in other cells. In depressed patients, the electrical activity in certain areas of the brain have been shown to be reduced. TMS uses a focused electromagnetic coil, to rapidly pulse a magnetic field to the targeted area of the brain.
The magnetic pulses induce an electrical current in the brain, stimulating the nerve cells, increasing the brain activity to normal levels.
TMS is a safe and well-tolerated treatment with few known side effects. Clinical studies show that the most common side effects are mild to moderate scalp discomfort and mild headaches, both of which are short-term.²
No.
Medication like anti-depressants are systemic, which means that the medication is absorbed into the blood stream which can cause numerous side effects. TMS is typically prescribed when anti-depressants have failed or the side effects are intolerable; this may be called treatment resistant depression, or TRD.¹
Other treatments for TRD include Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT), which works by applying a brief electrical pulse to the brain that medically induces a seizure. ECT is performed in a hospital and you will be anaesthetised and restrained during the procedure. ECT can be associated with numerous side effects. TMS is a gentle, non-systemic, outpatient procedure with has few known associated side effects. Patients can return to their daily activities after treatment.
TMS is covered by most insurance providers including Medicare (and by Medicaid in some states). Prior authorization is typically required for insurance coverage. Your physician will manage this process. Typically, treatment with antidepressant medications and psychotherapy may be needed before insurance will authorize TMS Therapy.
