Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a safe and effective outpatient treatment, meaning that you come into the clinic daily for your sessions and return home after. There is no recovery time, and you are able to drive yourself to and from sessions. Each TMS treatment is performed by a trained TMS technician under the supervision of a physician.

Timeline

Your TMS treatment timeline may vary depending on which TMS treatment protocol you are prescribed.

Accelerated TMS Protocols: these consist of 10 daily TMS sessions (starting at the beginning of each hour) for 5 consecutive days.

Some of the other protocols may consist of 1 daily session for 36 total sessions, while others may consist of 1 session daily for 10-15 total sessions.

What does TMS feel like?

TMS treatment is not painful. Most patients describe stimulation as a “tapping sensation” on the scalp. Sometimes, you may experience some slight jaw or facial twitching; however, that is safe and normal, and if it feels uncomfortable, your technician can make adjustments to improve your tolerability.

First Visit

During your first visit, your TMS technician will perform your Motor Threshold test (which tests the specific intensity of the machine to use for your treatment based on your brain’s sensitivity) and take measurements of your head to map the exact location of the treatment area. Your technician will explain your treatment plan, answer any questions you may have, and gather your baseline symptoms through discussion and initial questionnaires.