Canandaigua Lake Counseling Services, LLC
About Neurostar TMS therapy
Neurostar uses transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to target key areas of the brain that are underactive in people with depression. It is not ECT ( electroconvulsive therapy).
While the exact cause of depression is not known, the leading scientific theory is that it is caused by an imbalance of the brain's neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers that send signals between brain cells.
How Neurostar TMS Therapy Works
Before Treatment: You'll recline in a treatment chair comfortably. Positioned lightly on your head will be a small curved magnetic coil
During Treatment: You'll hear a clicking sound and feel a tapping sensation on your head. While on your head Neurostar delivers focused magnetic stimulation directly to the target areas of the brain.
After Treatment: Neurostar Advanced Therapy: Each treatment takes 19 to 37 minutes, depending on your doctor's recommendation.
Because there are no effects on alertness or memory, you can drive yourself to and from treatment sessions. So you can resume normal activities immediately
In-office treatment with Neuristar TMS Therapy typically takes 19-37 minutes and is administered 5 days a week for approximately 4-6 weeks
What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation, often reffered to as TMS is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. TMS is typically used when antidepressant medications haven't been effective, have ceased working, or as an alternative to medication.
How does TMS work?
TMS involves delivering magnetic pulses to specific parts of the brain.
How long is TMS treatment?
A typical initial course of treatment is about 19-37 minutes daily over 4-6 weeks.
Is TMS Therapy covered by my insurance?
A vast majority of commercial and Medicare plans have recognized the effectiveness of treating depression with TMS Therapy and now cover TMS as part of their plans.
Is TMS Therapy a good alternative for patients who cannot tolerate the side effects of antidepressant medications?
TMS does not circulate in the blood throughout the body, so it does not have side effects like weight gain, sexual dysfunction, nausea, dry mouth, sedation, etc. The most common side effects reported during clinical trials were headache and scalp discomfort- generally mild to moderate- occurring less frequently after the first week of treatment.
Is TMS Therapy like other alternative therapies that use magnets to treat some illnesses?
No. TMS Therapy involves a unique method of using pulsed magnetic fields for a therapeutic benefit. The intensity of the magnetic field is similar to that of an MRI. Their techniques differ radically from the popular use of low-intensity, static magnetic fields. Those products deliver weak and underected static fields that are not capable of activating brain cells. The activations and stimulation of brain cells are a key part of why TMS is so effective.