TMS–transcranial magnet stimulation–is a non-invasive, non-surgical, and drug-free way to help conditions that aren’t responding to psychotherapy or antidepressants. At Dr. Melissa Lopez-Larson & Associates in Park City, UT, we use this effective treatment to help with post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and more.
Understanding TMS
The Basics
TMS uses a magnetic field, generated by a magnetic coil shaped like a figure eight, to stimulate nerve cells in those areas of the brain that are related to mood, and anxiety. We simply place this device on the patient’s head, and this medication-free, non-invasive treatment can effectively help with anxiety and depression as well as certain neurological disorders.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation has been proven as an effective treatment for all kinds of depression. If your depression is mild, moderate, or even severe, come talk to us about how TMS can help. This treatment has been FDA-approved since 2013 as a treatment for depression that doesn’t respond to psychotherapy or the medications that are normally prescribed to work for depression.
Since 2013, the use of TMS has grown exponentially, and the FDA has recognized its usefulness for more than just depression. It is now also approved for treating obsessive-compulsive disorders and more. Furthermore, physicians with experience and training even know how to use this treatment for some off-label uses, as well.
Understanding Treatment
Unlike some treatments, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is simple and straightforward. There’s no lengthy preparation period required. No anesthesia is needed, either. There’s no laundry list of medication to avoid or lifestyle changes to practice before your treatment begins. The only thing you’ll need to do is remove any jewelry, glasses, or other things that might react to the magnets.
Your treatment will be administered by a trained technician, and this technician will be with you throughout the session. If you’re uncomfortable in any way or concerned about anything, someone will be there to answer your questions and address all your concerns. We will give you some earplugs that help to minimize the clicking sound that the magnets make–which is a bit like the clicking of an MRI scan.
During Treatment
Once you’re all set and ready to go, we will measure your head to ensure that the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation device is placed correctly and the machine is properly calibrated for your needs. Once it starts, you’ll feel no pain or even discomfort. You will be able to hear the clicking, and you will feel the gentle tapping it makes. This tapping is nothing more than what you’d feel if you tapped the eraser end of a pencil against your head.
Treatment takes between five minutes and about 45 minutes. The duration of treatment will depend on your specific needs, precisely what you’re having treated, and our mutual decisions in consultation about what is right for you. During treatment, you’ll be able to simply relax in our comfortable, reclining chairs. Once treatment is over, you can go straight back to your normal life. There’s no need to change up your schedule, avoid going outside, or give up your ordinary routine during a recovery period.
Understanding the Benefits of Treatment
Relief From Depression
Perhaps the most significant benefit of this treatment is its ability to treat depression that won’t respond to other treatments. This treatment offers the potential to get you back to the hobbies and interests you used to enjoy.
No Schedule Disruption
Appointments are fairly frequent, but, unlike other types of treatments, they aren’t a serious disruption to your routine. You don’t have to worry about waiting for the anesthesia to take hold or wear off, and the sessions themselves are very quick. You can go right back to your normal schedule afterward and there are no nasty medication side effects to worry about.
Lowered Anxiety
This treatment can also help to relieve anxiety and all the unpleasant symptoms that come with it, like nervousness, that sense of impending doom that makes life difficult, difficulty in concentrating, rapid breathing, and trembling.
Better Sleep
Wouldn’t we all love to sleep better? Sleep is restorative, and it’s impossible to overestimate how important regular good sleep is for the human body. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation can help you sleep more deeply and regularly. When you start waking up refreshed and well-rested every morning, you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.
Options for Patients Who Need Relief
Another amazing benefit of TMS is that it offers relief for patients who have struggled to get the answers they need through medications and other treatments. If you’ve tried all the traditional ways of treating your anxiety, depression, OCD, and more, contact us. This might be your path forward to recovery.
Understanding Key Questions
Does This Really Work?
Yes! About 70% to 80% of those who are treated with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation see a big improvement in their depression and other issues. In fact, a lot of people find that their depression is completely resolved once they go through the full series of treatments.
How Long Do Results Last?
Most people who seek this treatment see their results last for at least six months to a year. Other people enjoy their results for even longer.
How Long Does It Take to Work?
This treatment works amazingly quickly. Most people report an improvement in their mood within the first week! While it will take a full treatment to get you to your final results, you should see a change nearly immediately. This is especially amazing when you consider the six weeks it can take for medications to deliver any relief at all.
Is This Electroconvulsive Therapy?
ECT is sometimes used to treat depression, but this therapy is entirely different. In ECT, your brain is stimulated using electricity rather than magnets, and treatment requires sedation and close observation during recovery. TMS is much faster, easier, and simpler.
Does Insurance Cover These Treatments?
It all depends on your personal history. If you’ve already tried other treatments, like antidepressants, and either has not seen a change or have suffered negative side effects, your insurer may cover you for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Whenever you seek any medical treatment, it’s always a good idea to communicate with your insurance provider right from the beginning just for peace of mind.
Understanding Who This Is Right For
Those Who Haven’t Been Helped With Medication
Most people who seek these treatments have already been through psychotherapy or treatment with antidepressants but have not seen the relief they need. This is not uncommon: about 30% of those who have depression find that their condition is resistant to treatment. If that’s the case for you, TMS could be the answer. This is also a good treatment to pursue if you are not able to tolerate the side effects of antidepressants.
Those Who Don’t Have Metal Implants or Seizures
For the vast majority of the population, a magnetic field is no concern. However, if you have a metal implant near your head or a stimulator implant like a cochlear implant, this might not be the right treatment for you. If your metal implant is, for example, a plate in your leg, there’s nothing to worry about. Come talk to us to find out for sure what’s right for you. If you have recently had a stroke or serious brain injury, or if you have a seizure disorder, this might not be the right treatment for you.
Those Who Have Been Cleared by Our Doctor
Although this is an effective treatment, it’s not usually the first treatment recommended for depression or anxiety. It’s important that you be evaluated by Dr. Melissa Lopez-Larson to determine if this is the right treatment for you.
Those Who Can Commit to the Treatment Schedule
The exact treatment schedule will always be based on your specific needs, but once you start treatment, it’s important that your sessions take place on time and on schedule.
Contact Us Today!
Are you frustrated with traditional treatments that don’t work? Visit us at Dr. Melissa Lopez-Larson & Associates in Park City, UT, to schedule your Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation consultation. We can’t wait to help you take the next step towards a brighter, anxiety-free future!