What to Expect During TMS Therapy Sessions & Treatment

TMS Treatment Process

  • 1

    Arrival and Comfort

    When a patient arrives for their TMS session, they are first made comfortable in a specially designed chair in a relaxing and peaceful, spa-like environment. There is no need for anesthesia. There are no needles. There is no surgery. TMS does not electrically shock you. Patients remain awake and alert throughout the process.

  • 2

    Preparation

    The TMS machine, which has a coil that produces magnetic fields, is carefully positioned on the patient’s head. The exact location will depend on the individual and the condition being treated, but in cases of depression, it’s usually aimed at the upper left side of your head (left prefrontal cortex, an area known to be involved in mood regulation).

  • 3

    Treatment

    Once everything is set up, the machine harmlessly delivers short pulses of magnetic energy (lasting about 19 minutes). These magnetic pulses are similar to those used in MRI machines, and they can stimulate parts of the brain that are underactive in depression. What does TMS therapy feel like? Many patients report a tapping sensation at the treatment site.

  • 4

    Brain Response

    The magnetic pulses encourage the brain cells in the targeted area to become more active, leading to the release of ‘happy’ brain chemicals like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These are the chemicals that help relay signals across the brain and are often referred to as the body’s natural ‘feel good’ hormones. When patients are depressed, there are low levels of these neurochemicals and TMS helps replenish them 🙂

  • 5

    Follow-Ups

    TMS is typically administered over the course of several weeks, and most patients have treatment sessions several times per week. Over time, as more and more neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin & norepinephrine) are released, many patients experience a significant reduction in their depressive symptoms about halfway through the course of treatment. More than 80% of patients benefit from TMS Therapy.

  • 6

    Results

    What do successful results sound like? Patients graduate the program saying: I feel like I have my life back, I feel like the old me, I have confidence, I’m hopeful of the future, I am more resilient and can handle life stressors, I’m happy & I finally want to spend time with my friends and family.

“Here at our clinic, we pride ourselves on the simplicity and ease of our TMS treatments. Our patients often express how much they enjoy their appointments, thanks to the skilled and compassionate care provided by our TMS technicians.”
Dr. Walter Griffith, Medical Director

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