Will I be uncomfortable during my TMS therapy? Is TMS Therapy painful? These are some of the common concerns people have when they are considering TMS therapy for the treatment of depression. The answers to the questions aren’t simple and straightforward because while some people report having headaches, slight numbness, or a tapping sensation during and after the treatment. Other patients have reported not feeling any pain or discomfort.
In this blog, our Bronx TMS technicians will explain if TMS Therapy is uncomfortable and why you should consider TMS Therapy as a treatment for depression.
For most people, depression can be debilitating and painful. Depression can affect not only how you feel emotionally and mentally, but it can also take its toll on your physical health and wellbeing. Understandably, people with depression are wary of treatments that are not adequately effective and will cause them more stress and discomfort.
What Is Transcranial Stimulation Therapy? What Is Involved In A TMS Session?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive and safe therapy in which magnetic pulses are used to stimulate the brain. The treatment aims to correct the imbalance in the brain cells that affects mood and leads to mental disorders like depression.
The treatment consists of placing the magnetic coil of the TMS device on the scalp of the patient, which produces focused magnetic pulses that penetrate the scalp and skull bone. The pulses produce small electrical currents in a specific area of the brain, which is responsible for mood control. The stimulation of these particular parts of the brain helps in reactivating underactive neurotransmitters. This can improve brain connectivity within the different regions of the brain.
Discomfort During Treatment
TMS is painless and has no to little side effects. Patients undergoing treatment remain alert and conscious throughout the session, and most people do not report having any discomfort. Additionally, unlike other depression treatment therapies like ECT, TMS is a lot safer and does not affect other bodily systems.
Some patients receiving TMS therapy have reported experiencing some facial during the first few sessions of the treatment. However, this side effect isn’t harmful, and most people do not feel the tingling sensation at all. If the facial twitching is bothering you, talk to your doctor or TMS technician. They can reduce or eliminate the discomfort by slightly repositioning the angle of the coil placed on your scalp.
Another common and harmless sensation patient report having is a minor tapping sensation on the scalp where the magnetic coil is placed, but this too is painless.
The FDA approved TMS treatment in 2008 for commercial use, and there is limited clinical trial data regarding the efficacy of TMS for the treatment for depression. However, the currently available data is extremely positive. The studies reported 50% of people with depression who did not benefit from antidepressants experienced a clinically meaningful positive effect from TMS therapy.
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