TMS Therapy
TMS is short for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. TMS Therapy is an FDA-approved therapy that uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate under-active areas of the brain. Our clinic in Scottsdale offers several options of TMS.
Our Board Certified Doctors are experts at treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, the after-effects of head injuries, stroke, and other neurological conditions with TMS, having helped hundreds of patients with this treatment.
TMS is a life-changing alternative to medications for depression treatment. TMS is the no-medication pathway that can help you achieve peace of mind and a better quality of life. TMS can be high frequency to speed up specific types of brain activity, which is perfect for treating depression. But TMS can also be performed at a low frequency to slow down the brain activities associated with anxiety, tremors, and insomnia.
Call 480-448-2916 to schedule a detailed evaluation.
Our Approach to Treating Conditions
At the TMS Institute in Scottsdale, we strongly believe in helping individuals achieve therapeutic improvements with little or no medication reliance if possible in order to minimize long-term side effects associated with pharmaceutical use. We are setting the standard for advanced mental health and depression treatment in Arizona. Did you know:
- 95% of TMS centers and clinicians focus only on treating depression, but at the TMS Institute we are far more holistic. We know how TMS can be used for far more than just depression which is why we pride ourselves for thinking outside the box and treating multiple conditions successfully.
- TMS is evidence-based medicine and all of the treatments we offer are based on protocols established and published in clinical trials.
There are many benefits to TMS treatment, including:
- Can be a standalone treatment or used in conjunction with medications or treatments
- Covered by most insurance when treating depression (some coverage for treating OCD)
- FDA approved for depression, OCD, bipolar depression, smoking cessation
- High success rate – ~70-80% success rate with TMS vs 27.5% with the first medication and declining to 6.9% with the fourth medication
- ~50% of individuals completing TMS will achieve complete remission
- Highly effective
- In office appointments are fast and easy
- It’s not electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
- Provides long-term results – at least 24 months of relief for up to 90% of patients but 35% of these patients may need additional maintenance TMS
- Medication free – an alternative to antidepressants
- No anesthesia or medications administered or required
- No systemic side effects
- Safe for all, including pediatric patients – studies have shown that children as young as 12 years of age tolerate TMS therapy just as well as adults and without any side effects
- Zero downtime
Video: What is TMS Therapy?
Video: Meet Richard, TMS Video Testimonial
Video: Meet Bari, Express TMS Video Testimonial
Video: TMS Q&A
Video: TMS Therapy and Depression
Video: Oliver’s Story
FDA-approved for depression, OCD, bipolar depression, and smoking cessation
TMS therapy is designed to improve functioning in the frontal lobe by increasing activity on the left side of the frontal lobe to reverse the asymmetry that results in depression.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
TMS is also known as rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) because more than one magnetic pulse is delivered to the brain during a treatment session. It is also considered “traditional TMS” or just TMS. It requires one session per weekday for a total of 36 sessions spread over 4 – 6 weeks.
Each treatment session can be as short as 40 seconds to as long as 40 minutes depending upon the protocol and indication, making them easy to fit into your schedule. This treatment is FDA-approved for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adult patients. rTMS can also be used to treat other conditions such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, neuropathic pain, and other conditions.
Each treatment session can be as short as 40 seconds to as long as 40 minutes depending upon the protocol and indication.
How TMS Works
TMS utilizes magnetic pulses to trigger long-term change. This type of stimulation enhances the brain’s ability to change itself or “rewire” brain circuitry, helping to restore normal function. This means at least 24 months of relief for up to 90% of patients.
Different regions of the brain control different disorders. TMS can be used to target and stimulate these regions for a targeted treatment. The pulses are gentle, similar to the magnetic field created during an MRI scan, but much more localized. If you have had an MRI before, you know that nothing is felt during the scan. The same is true of a TMS treatment (but without the need to go into a machine, thus avoiding any claustrophobic moments).
TMS works very differently than medications. Medications have side effects and oftentimes risks such as dependency. Plus, TMS has been shown in studies to be more effective than medication in many patients.
TMS Figure 1: Depicts how TMS stimulates connections between different regions of the brain (source)
TMS Figure 2: The Star-D Study on Antidepressants published in 2006 revealed that as individuals progress from 1 to 4 different antidepressants that the chances of achieving remission for depression declines from 27.5% with the 1st-line medication to 6.9% with the 4th-line medication.
Insomnia and TMS
There is a growing body of literature indicating that sleep loss and/or poor sleep quality greatly impacts the brain’s ability to form adequate neuronal connections (synaptic potentiation). This can result in reduced neuron activity and formation of new neural networks. In turn, this process can affect the brain’s response to TMS therapy. The TMS Institute of Arizona prioritizes ensuring that a patient gets optimal quality of sleep so that the brain is best equipped to respond positively to TMS therapy.
TMS Institute of Arizona offers the most advanced form of transcranial magnetic stimulation, MagVenture TMS Therapy.
Express TMS Therapy
Express TMS, or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, is a cutting-edge therapy used primarily to treat depression and certain neurological disorders. Unlike traditional treatments such as medication or electroconvulsive therapy, Express TMS offers a non-invasive approach that stimulates specific regions of the brain using magnetic pulses. These pulses are delivered through a coil placed on the scalp, targeting areas associated with mood regulation.
The procedure is known for its precision and minimal side effects compared to other therapies. It works by generating magnetic fields that induce electrical currents in the brain, which can normalize abnormal neural activity linked to depression. Express TMS sessions are typically conducted over several weeks, with each session lasting around 20 to 30 minutes. Patients can often resume their daily activities immediately after treatment, making it a convenient option for those with busy schedules.
Research indicates that Express TMS can significantly alleviate symptoms of depression in many individuals, even those who have not responded well to other treatments. Its effectiveness, coupled with its non-invasive nature, has made it a promising alternative for patients seeking relief from depression and related conditions. As ongoing research continues to refine techniques and expand its applications, Express TMS stands at the forefront of modern psychiatric care. READ MORE ABOUT EXPRESS TMS HERE.
Call Our New Patient Coordinator for a Free Consultation.
Our New Patient Coordinator is here to answer all your questions so you can make the most informed decision.
She can explain our treatment options and protocols, fees, insurance, and more. She can also schedule you for a consultation with one of our doctors.
From there, we can determine if you may benefit from MeRT® or TMS treatment, and you can decide if you would like to move forward.
We hope you will consider getting more information.
