TMS Therapy

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is a unique method of treating chronic depression. In this type of therapy, a magnet, about the same power as the ones in MRI machines, emits pulses that stimulate certain nerve cells in the brain. Experts believe that this specific area of the brain is underactive in people struggling with depression, so the TMS awakens it and helps improve neurotransmitter (brain chemical) levels. Ultimately, the improved neurotransmitter levels can potentially relieve depression.  

TMS therapy is for people who struggle with depression that doesn’t improve with medications such as antidepressants. NeuroStar is also FDA cleared to treat depression along with anxiety (anxious depression) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).  

In a study of “real-world” outcomes (meaning actual NeuroStar patients), 83% of people who completed the full NeuroStar treatment cycle experienced a measurable decrease in the severity of their depression and 62% of those completing treatment saw full remission - meaning their depression effectively “went away.”

While there may be some minor discomfort at the treatment site (where the device touches your head), it generally subsides within the first week of treatment. There is no sedation, or impact on your alertness. You can read, watch TV, or talk with your treatment coordinator during your session, and you can drive home immediately after treatment.

You’ll sit in a cushy chair, and the team positions a padded curved coil around your head. You’ll hear clicking noises and feel light tapping against your head, but the process is comfortable. During the treatment, the magnetic pulses are repeatedly delivered to the ideal location and depth within the brain, with more than 100,000 pulses delivered over a full course of treatment. Studies show that this specific pattern of pulses promotes the brain’s ability to repair itself, adapt, and change, which means that TMS therapy can have long-lasting results. You’ll be awake for the whole TMS therapy session, which lasts 19-37 minutes. It doesn’t affect your memory or sleep, and you can resume your regular routine immediately after.  

NeuroStar is FDA-cleared for adults with Major Depressive Disorder who have not found relief from antidepressant medications. A NeuroStar leader will walk you through the full qualifications for treatment during your initial consultation.