Transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy, or TMS therapy, is a relatively new treatment for mental health conditions that do not respond to primary treatment methods like medication and talk therapy. TMS involves using magnetic fields to stimulate the brain, and this noninvasive therapy has been found to be an effective treatment option for conditions ranging from depression to OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).
Let’s discuss what TMS therapy is, who can benefit from it, and where you can go in Denver for psychiatric treatment that works without medicine.
What Is TMS Therapy and How Does It Work?
TMS therapy uses magnets to create a small magnetic field in the upper layers of the brain. The TMS machine turns on and off rapidly during treatment, creating magnetic pulses.
This creates small electric currents in the brain that stimulate brain cells to release neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation, like serotonin and dopamine, or the “happy hormones.” It is thought that many mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are caused by an imbalance in these hormones, so TMS works directly to resolve this imbalance.
Who Can Benefit from TMS Therapy?
TMS therapy is FDA-approved to address treatment-resistant depression, but it has also been clinically proven to help patients who suffer from anxiety, OCD, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and other mental health issues. TMS therapy can also be used to help you quit smoking, as well as to improve general brain function.
Are There Any Risks or Side Effects?
TMS therapy is a safe, noninvasive, and nonmedicinal treatment for mental health issues. It is not to be confused with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), in which electric currents are applied to the head to stimulate the brain. ECT can cause convulsions and requires general anesthesia, whereas TMS does not require sedation and simply stimulates the brain via magnets rather than electricity.
In addition, TMS is safer than other brain stimulation options like deep brain stimulation, which requires electrodes to be surgically implanted into the brain; TMS therapy is completely noninvasive.
Most people tolerate TMS therapy well. Some side effects can occur, such as lightheadedness, headache, muscle twitches in the face during treatment, or scalp discomfort at the stimulation site. However, these side effects are mild to moderate, and they tend to decrease as patients attend more treatment sessions.
What Happens During a TMS Treatment Session?
Treatment sessions usually last 15-20 minutes per session and occur every weekday for 6 weeks. During the session, you will lie back comfortably in a chair, and a specially designed device will be placed on your head.
Once the TMS machine is turned on, you will hear a rhythmic clicking noise and feel a mild tapping sensation on your head. There is no downtime after each treatment session, and you can return to your daily activities and drive yourself from your appointment.
TMS Therapy for Mental Health Treatment in Denver and Lakewood, CO
At Denver Wellness Associates, we offer TMS therapy for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and other mental health conditions. We use state-of-the-art MagVenture and CloudTMS transcranial magnetic stimulation equipment during treatments.
Our qualified team of psychiatric healthcare providers are highly trained in TMS therapy, and we work with patients to develop effective, individualized treatment plans. If you are interested in TMS therapy or any other mental health services, call or text us today at (720) 724-3668, or request an appointment here via our easy-to-use online form. We look forward to helping you live a happier and healthier life!
