What Is TMS Therapy?

TMS uses focused magnetic pulses, similar to an MRI, to reignite dormant synapses in the brain and help your brain function the way it was meant to. It is not a drug, “shock” therapy, or surgery. It is a safe, effective treatment without the side effects of medication.

Our TMS therapy sessions are performed using the NeuroStar Advanced Therapy device, an FDA-cleared treatment option for depression and OCD. In a session of NeuroStar Advanced Therapy, a magnet with comparable strength to that employed in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine is utilized to activate nerve cells in the brain region associated with mood regulation. These magnetic pulses can positively impact the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, potentially facilitating long-term remission.

Benefits of TMS Therapy

TMS therapy is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that uses electromagnetic fields to stimulate specific brain areas. TMS has shown promise in the treatment of various mental health conditions, and its benefits include:

• Treatment for Depression: TMS has been FDA-cleared for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in individual's who have not responded well to traditional antidepressant medications. It offers a non-pharmacological alternative for those seeking relief from depression symptoms.

• Relief for OCD: TMS Therapy offers a non-invasive solution for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). By stimulating mood-regulating brain regions, TMS enhances neuroplasticity, providing targeted relief for obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

• Non-Invasive and Well-Tolerated: TMS is a non-invasive procedure that does not require anesthesia or sedation. Patients remain awake and alert during the sessions without lingering side effects that impact daily activities or sleep.

• Enhanced Neuroplasticity: TMS is believed to enhance neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This process may contribute to the therapeutic effects of TMS, helping to alleviate symptoms of depression, OCD, and other mental health conditions.

• Reduced Relapse Rates: TMS has shown promise in reducing the risk of relapse in individual's with depression and OCD. For some patients who have not responded well to other treatments, TMS may provide a more sustained improvement in mood.

• No Systemic Side Effects: Unlike some medications with systemic side effects affecting other organs, TMS is localized to the targeted brain region, minimizing the risk of systemic side effects.

• Avoidance of Medication Side Effects: TMS offers an alternative treatment pathway for individuals who may not tolerate or wish to avoid the side effects associated with certain medications. It is particularly beneficial for those who have experienced intolerable side effects with traditional antidepressants.

TMS therapy has provided incredible benefits for many of our patients with depression, OCD, and other mental health disorders. TMS is covered as a mental health treatment option by many health insurance plans. To learn more about TMS therapy and whether it may be right for you, contact us at Serenity Behavioral Health and Wellness. We are located in Savage, MN, and serve Prior Lake, Burnsville, Shakopee, Apple Valley, Eagan, Lakeville, and the surrounding southwestern Minneapolis suburbs.