Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment that has been proven safe and effective for many health conditions.
TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate the nerve cells in your brain, increasing activity in areas responsible for mood disorders and reducing symptoms. In this blog, we will examine whether TMS therapy hurts and what to expect from this innovative treatment.
TMS therapy may cause minimal discomfort for some patients. The most common side effect is pain on the skin directly under where the treatment is applied. Other sensations individuals experience include headache, lightheadedness, or tingling or twitching of facial muscles.
Generally, these symptoms decrease or disappear after the first week of treatment. You can speak with us about adjusting the level of stimulation to help reduce the side effects.
For some people who get frequent migraines, TMS may need to be stopped if it triggers headaches. Additionally, seizures are a serious but rare side effect, which typically do not trigger any cognitive or thinking deficits.
Although TMS therapy is safe and effective for many patients, it may not be the proper treatment for you. Several situations contraindicate TMS therapy. For example, the magnetic stimulation used can affect non-removable metallic devices.
People with cochlear implants, deep brain stimulators, or some types of pacemakers are not good candidates. TMS is also not for individuals with tattoos on the face, neck, or upper chest using ferromagnetic ink. Since there is a rare side effect of seizure, individuals with a known seizure disorder or who have had a head injury should not use TMS therapy.
You should tell us if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, if you have frequent or severe headaches, or if you have had treatment with transcranial magnetic stimulation in the past. Having other neurological conditions that affect the brain may also deem you ineligible for treatment, including a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or a brain tumor.
What to Expect During Appointments
During your consultation, we will ask about medications, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements that you take. At your first appointment, we will also establish the motor threshold to help set the treatment parameters so the correct intensity is used during your sessions.
We do this by placing the device against your head, delivering short pulses, and observing movement in your hands or fingers. We adjust the device to find the minimal power needed to induce movement. By doing so, we can personalize your treatment settings to get the greatest effect with the lowest dose possible, ensuring your comfort and safety throughout the process.
TMS therapy has the potential to significantly reduce the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression, chronic migraines, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
We encourage you to call our office today to learn more about how TMS may help your condition and answer your questions about whether TMS therapy hurts. We are here to provide you with the information and support you need to make the best decision for your health.
