NeuroStar is a non-invasive FDA-cleared therapy that uses short magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in the area of the brain that controls mood.1,12,15 These pulses can have a lasting effect on the brain’s neurotransmitter levels, helping people suffering from depression, anxiety symptoms in those with depression, and OCD achieve response and in some cases long-term remission from depression symptoms.5,8,12,15,20,22 Because NeuroStar is not a drug, it doesn’t cause the side effects that are often associated with antidepressants.9

TMS is different from medications and talk therapy. Medications aren’t as customizable — they may not work for genetic reasons and could cause moderate to severe side effects.

Symptoms of depression can also interfere with the comfort and effectiveness of talk therapy.

TMS targets the area of the brain that is believed to regulate mood to treat depression at its neurological source.

TMS does not hurt. You may have a mild headache during the first week which will subside. This can be addressed with as needed Advil. It feels like a tapping sensation on your head.

Each patient is different and some respond within the first few treatments and others need to complete the entire 36. The standard approach is to complete the full series - 36 sessions for it address your symptoms. How do you know it is working ? You will begin to feel happy, motivated, improved energy levels, sleep better, improved libido, and more importantly you will feel like you're living your life to its fullest potential.

The first step to beginning treating a patient is to ensure that the first day is done precisely. This is known as the mapping day which is the key to success for the other 35 sessions to be purposeful. Our team invests that time up front to make sure day 1 is as close to perfect as we can achieve and we do so using the advanced technology of the neurostar machine and the experience of our physicians. Once we know your mapping settings on day 1 we replicate it each time for your treatment sessions.

While patients do find remission from undergoing TMS therapy the decision to stop medications is done on a case by case basis. It is done with careful supervision and involvement of you, the patient, and psychiatrist. Some medications can't be abruptly stopped so they may need to be tapered off.

Optimistically, we wish for all our treated patients to live their life in remission. If however your depression does come back, we can always pursue another round of TMS. It is not unheard of for patients to come back in the distant future to repeat the treatment. This is sometimes referred to as maintenance TMS.

No. While TMS is safe and has minimal side effects, ECT requires general anesthesia which can carry some risk.

Yes, after your session you can drive.

To date, there is no evidence that TMS causes any kind of long-term damage to the brain. TMS does carry a very minor risk or seizure during treatment, specifically less than 0.1%. This risk seems to be more associated with those who are already at risk of seizure, whether due to a medication, a chronic condition such as epilepsy, or secondary to drug and alcohol use.

Yes, a person can have additional courses of TMS. In fact, patients who respond well to TMS initially, are more likely to continue to respond positively to TMS if needed again in the future.

A typical TMS session lasts approximately 20 minutes. The sessions continue for 5 days/week over a duration of 4-6 weeks. Occasionally, a two-week tapering period may follow consisting of just a few sessions a week.

TMS therapy is a well-tolerated treatment for most patients, although it does not work for everyone. Side effects, while infrequent, can include headaches and neck pain.

Yes. TMS is an FDA-cleared treatment, which means it’s safe to administer to patients. It’s also non-invasive.

Patients who have failed to respond to antidepressants or psychotherapy are the ideal candidates for TMS. People who are not a good fit for TMS are those with metallic implants in ears or eyes, stents in the neck or brain, and other metal devices implanted in or near the head should refrain from undergoing TMS therapy.

Medical treatments for depression are usually centered around antidepressants that rely on the systems in your body to deliver relief. NeuroStar Advanced TMS treatments go right to the source of depression—your brain.

There are specific areas in your brain that control mood. When synapses in those mood-regulating areas are underactive, connections are broken and depression can result. NeuroStar revitalizes those dormant synapses, “waking up” the brain to function as it was meant to.

Yes, if you have metal in your head, neck - you can't undergo TMS. If you have an underlying seizure disorder it will need to be discussed on a case by case basis. If you have a pace maker, deep brain stimulator, vagus nerve stimulator - we will need to evaluate these cases individually.

This is why we stress the consultation visit up front so we can ensure you don't have any contraindications.