TMS or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation can sound intimidating; however, once you learn about how NeuroStar TMS Therapy in Springfield works, you will understand why this type of therapy has become so popular among patients with treatment-resistant Depression and Anxious Depression.
TMS is a non-invasive approach to treating Depression that uses magnetic pulses to reanimate parts of the brain that are essential for keeping people engaged and connected. NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy is FDA-approved for its safety and effectiveness in reducing Depression symptoms, especially for patients who do not respond to medication. Contact our team today to learn more about this effective treatment!
Researchers have long known that people who experience Depression have different activity levels in certain parts of their brain. Researchers believe a lack of neuronal activity in specific brain regions leads to feelings of detachment and an overall lack of enthusiasm for life.
NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy in Springfield delivers magnetic pulses that stimulate the nerve cells in these regions of the brain. TMS triggers neurons to fire and connect with other neurons in the brain region receiving treatment. The idea behind TMS is that this stimulation will train those neurons to remain active over the course of treatment. After repeated TMS sessions, these regions of the brain show more activity, and several studies have shown that this is associated with a reduction in symptoms of Depression.
The NeuroStar Advanced TMS system is unique in using ‘contact sensing’ technology, which improves the accuracy of the dose of magnetic energy provided per pulse and the precision of where the pulses are directed compared to other TMS systems. The NeuroStar system is also notable for improving patient comfort.
At BiBi Health, we pride ourselves on only using proven, safe, and effective therapies. In 2022, the FDA cleared our NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy System in Springfield to diminish the symptoms of Depression among people who had failed to achieve satisfactory results with medication.
The NeuroStar system is also the most studied of all TMS systems, reassuring us that any potential side effects would be identified. According to a study of real patients like the ones living right here in Springfield, 83% of patients receiving NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy experienced a meaningful reduction in their Depression symptoms, and over 60% experienced a full remission of symptoms (Sackeim HA, et al. (2020). J Affect Disord, 277:65 74. Based on a real-world, retrospective study using CGI-S and a sample size of 615 patients).
The procedure itself is well tolerated. The most common side effects patients report following treatment include mild headache and slight irritation at the site of the magnetic stimulation, both of which generally resolve within hours. Controlled studies showed a slightly higher risk of seizure during treatment, although this was a very rare finding affecting less than 0.1% of the study population.
TMS therapy is non-invasive and does not require sedation or anesthesia. During treatments, you will be asked to sit in a chair while our trained technician positions a magnetic coil resembling a helmet on your scalp. When the treatment begins, you will hear rapid tapping sounds as magnetic pulses are delivered to certain areas of your scalp.
A typical session lasts 15 to 40 minutes, depending on your needs. No recovery time is needed; you can return to your normal activities immediately after treatment. Because NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy In Springfield works to retrain your neurons to fire more regularly, a successful course of treatment generally lasts at least six weeks, with patients having one to two treatments per week.
NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy is proven to be effective for treatment-resistant Depression. Treatments are under an hour and require no recovery period. After a typical six-week treatment course, most patients report significant improvements in Depression symptoms.
If you suffer from major depressive disorder and have not found relief from your symptoms with medication, do not give up hope. You still have options. Learn more about how NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy in Springfield works by making an appointment with BiBi Health today!