Does TMS Therapy Really Work?

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a series of magnetic pulses on a targeted area of the brain to relieve symptoms of a mental illness. The repeated exposure stimulates neurons in the brain which has been effective in treatment-resistant depression and other illnesses. So, why does TMS therapy really work?

1. Targeted Brain Stimulation: TMS therapy targets specific areas of the brain that are involved with mood regulation. By directly treating this area, the electrical currents wake up neurons and stimulate the release of neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters help to balance out chemicals in the brain and relieve depression symptoms.
2. Minimal Side Effects: TMS may result in mild headaches or discomfort on the scalp due to the treatment. However, these symptoms decrease over time as you complete more sessions. It does not cause the chain of symptoms that medications and other treatments may cause such as weight gain and cognitive impairment. TMS has shown great results with very minimal side effects.  
3. An Option for Treatment-Resistant Patients: TMS therapy has shown to be effective in treating depression that has been unresponsive to antidepressants, psychotherapy, and other treatment methods. Studies have shown that TMS can produce significant improvements in depressive symptoms in individuals who have been unable to find relief through other means. 
4. Customized Treatment Plans: TMS treatments are tailored to the individual’s needs. Treatments can be adjusted by stimulation intensity, frequency, and duration depending on the severity of symptoms and how you respond to the treatment. We offer deep TMS and accelerated TMS which have been proven to be more effective and faster than the standard TMS treatment. 

Here at the TMS Center of Colorado, we want to help you get back to feeling like yourself. We offer a free phone consultation so that we can help you decide if TMS is the right treatment option for you. You can also call us to learn more about deep TMS, accelerated TMS, and our other services at 303-565-5643. 

References

1. Stern, Adam. Harvard Health Publishing (Oct. 27, 2020) Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): Hope for stubborn depression. Retrieved on March 13, 2024, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-for-depression-2018022313335#:~:text=Does%20TMS%20work%3F,their%20symptoms%20go%20away%20completely.
2. UNC School of Medicine. How Does TMS Work? Retrieved on March 13, 2024, from  https://www.med.unc.edu/psych/patient-care/interventional-psychiatry/tms/how-tms-works/#:~:text=This%20electromagnetic%20coil%20creates%20a,brain%20responsible%20for%20mood%20regulation.
3. Mayo Clinic. (April 7, 2023) Transcranial magnetic stimulation. Retrieved on March 13, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/about/pac-20384625