Speaker: Rachel
What is TMS?
Rachel : TMS is transcranial magnetic stimulation. It's a form of non invasive brain stimulation that has been around for over 30 years. Both in the neuroscientific and the clinical research world. the FDA approved this form of therapy back in 2008, 1st for major depressive disorder and then in 2020 for OCD with the magventure device that we're utilizing. What TMS is doing is it is targeting specific area of the brain. For example, if we're looking at someone with major depressive disorder, we're looking at a targeted area of the brain that is responsible for mood regulation and emotional judgment.
Are there side effects to TMS therapy?
Rachel : So, one of the great things about TMS therapy is the lack of negative side effects, both long term or short term. Specifically with our patients, as well as the supported research. the most common reported negative side effect would be mild scalp tenderness at the treatment site. A mild headache or nausea. Again, all of these are temporary and subside within hours of that treatment session.
Is TMS covered by insurance?
Rachel : So yes, most insurance companies do cover TMS therapy for the treatment of depression. What we would ask is that anyone interested in TMS therapy would schedule a consultation. You would meet with one of our physicians. We would go over your medical history. Why you're coming to us and we would want to confirm that you could benefit from TMS therapy. We'd go through any contra indications and then we would have an idea on how to best advise you moving forward, either private pay or through insurance coverage.
