What to Expect During TMS Treatment
A Path to Healing
When you come in for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment at The Healthy Brain Center, we provide a supportive and comfortable environment for your healing journey. Here's what you can expect during your TMS treatment process.
Your Initial TMS Appointments
A Comprehensive Journey Towards Healing
Initial Consultation
Your initial consultation for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) at The Healthy Brain Center marks the beginning of a personalized and transformative treatment journey. We encourage you to invite a significant support person in your life to join you for this appointment.
Here's what you can expect during your first appointment:
Meeting with the Psychiatrist: Your initial appointment will involve a meeting with our experienced psychiatrist. This consultation allows you to discuss your symptoms, treatment history, and goals. The psychiatrist will evaluate your condition, determine if TMS is an appropriate treatment option for you, and address any questions or concerns you may have.
Reviewing Contract and Consent: As part of the process, you will review and discuss the contract and consent forms for TMS treatment. These documents provide comprehensive information about the procedure, including the risks, benefits, and expected outcomes. This ensures that you are fully informed and have the opportunity to make an educated and informed decision about your treatment.
Brain Mapping
After deciding to move forward with TMS, we will determine which specific brain mapping procedures will most benefit you and we will set up your Brain Mapping Session.
Brain Mapping/Motor Threshold Determination: Every patient will receive brain mapping based on motor cortex determination. This involves applying brief magnetic pulses to the motor cortex area to identify the intensity level required to produce a muscle twitch in your right hand. Determining the motor threshold helps establish the optimal TMS stimulation parameters for your treatment, ensuring its safety and effectiveness.
EEG Brain Mapping: EEG may be helpful as an additional tool when we are using TMS to treat off-label (non-FDA-Approved) conditions. This non-invasive procedure involves placing small sensors, known as electrodes, on your scalp. These electrodes detect and record your brain's electrical activity, providing valuable insights into your unique brainwave patterns and responses that can help to personalize your TMS treatment.
Individualized Treatment Plan: The psychiatrist will use your brain mapping results, as well as your discussion of your history and symptoms, to create your individualized treatment plan. This plan outlines the recommended treatment protocol, including the number of sessions, duration, and frequency. It takes into account your specific condition, response to previous treatments, and other relevant factors to ensure a personalized approach to your care.
After this, you will schedule your daily TMS sessions with our team and you’ll be on your way to healing!
General Expectations for Your TMS Treatment
During the Treatment: What to Expect
During each TMS session, you will be comfortably seated in a relaxing environment. Your experienced and caring technician will position a specialized TMS device over the targeted areas of your scalp. The device generates gentle magnetic pulses, which will be delivered to specific regions of your brain.
While the magnetic pulses are being administered, you will hear loud clicking sounds (earplugs are available) and feel tapping sensations on your scalp. These sensations are normal and typically well-tolerated by most individuals. TMS is a non-invasive and generally painless procedure, allowing you to remain awake and alert throughout the session. This means there is no need for anesthesia, sedation, or recovery time, and you can resume your daily activities, including driving, immediately afterward.
During the treatment, you are welcome to listen to music, read, or simply relax. We strive to create a calm and comfortable atmosphere to ensure your experience is as pleasant as possible. You will always have a technician with you and our compassionate team will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have during the session, ensuring your comfort and peace of mind throughout the treatment process.
Treatment Sessions: Duration and Frequency
TMS treatment sessions typically last between 3 to 20 minutes, depending on your personalized treatment plan. The duration varies depending on factors such as the targeted brain region, individual response, and your specific personalized protocol.
The most common treatment protocol involves daily sessions, five days a week, for a duration of six weeks followed by titrated treatment over the next three weeks. The exact treatment schedule and duration will be tailored to your unique needs and discussed with you during the initial consultation, but is subject to change based on your treatment progression.
Overall Treatment Progress and Psychiatrist Check-Ins
Throughout the course of your TMS treatment, you may start noticing positive changes in your symptoms and overall well-being. While individual responses may vary, it is important to remember that TMS is a cumulative therapy. The benefits often accumulate over time, and optimal results are often achieved with consistent and continued treatment.
As you progress through your TMS treatment, our experienced team will closely monitor your response and make any necessary adjustments to ensure the therapy remains tailored to your evolving needs. We are committed to your success, with your TMS Technician checking in with you daily during treatments, and your TMS Psychiatrist providing weekly check-ins and reviewing your daily treatment progress notes. Together, we strive to achieve the best possible outcomes for your mental health and well-being.
As you near the completion of your successful treatment, we will engage in a comprehensive discussion with you, your loved ones, and any involved external healthcare providers to provide our recommendations for your ongoing care beyond the acute treatment phase. If necessary, we can schedule a separate office appointment with our psychiatrist to ensure ample time for detailed consultation.
At The Healthy Brain Center, our goal is to provide you with a comfortable and transformative TMS experience. We are here to support you every step of the way, answering your questions, addressing your concerns, and ensuring you receive the highest level of care throughout your TMS journey.
If you have any further questions or would like to learn more about TMS treatment, please don't hesitate to contact us.