Lakeview Health offers Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) as part of comprehensive addiction therapy services for men and women struggling with addiction. TMS therapy is an important part of our dual diagnosis treatment for patients who suffer from both addiction and depression. TMS therapy is an FDA-approved, non-invasive procedure that utilizes a state of the art Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation device which applies highly focused magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain that may be underactive in patients with depression. TMS therapy is typically used when traditional depression treatment methods haven’t been effective.
How Does TMS Work?
During a TMS therapy session, an electromagnet is placed against your scalp near your forehead. The electromagnet noninvasively sends a magnetic pulse which begins to stimulate nerve cells in the region of your brain responsible for mood control and depression. TMS has proven to stimulate activity in these regions of the brain in people with depression.
The stimulation appears to affect how this part of the brain is working, which in turn seems to ease depression symptoms and improve mood. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for depression treatment involves delivering repetitive magnetic pulses, also known as repetitive TMS or rTMS for short.
Typical TMS Therapy Session
First, the doctor will identify the best place to put the magnets on your head and the optimal level of magnetic energy for you. Then, you’ll sit in a comfortable reclining chair and given earplugs to wear during the procedure.
The electromagnet will be placed against your head and switched off and on repeatedly to produce stimulating pulses. This results in a tapping or clicking sound that usually lasts for a few seconds, followed by a pause.
The doctor determines the level of energy required by increasing the magnetic dosage until your fingers or hands twitch. Known as your motor threshold, this is used as a reference point in determining the right dose for you. During a series of treatments, the level of stimulation can be modified depending on any symptoms and side effects.
Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Right For Me?
If you have depression, TMS treatment is one of the many available treatments at Lakeview Health. Every patient at Lakeview Health has a comprehensive evaluation to determine if they have depression. About 30% of people with addictions have depression. Treatment of depression works in tandem with evidence-based therapies and holistic addiction therapies to improve the outcomes of addiction therapy services and improves the quality of life.
Patients are provided with Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy and non-addictive antidepressant medications for the treatment of depression. While these treatments are often very helpful, not every person responds to these treatments. That is when TMS should be considered. TMS is an excellent treatment option when other treatments are inadequate.
Is TMS Therapy Safe?
Yes. TMS therapy is very safe. Each treatment takes about 40 minutes. Patients receive TMS 5 days a week for 4 to 6 weeks. During treatment, patients are awake and comfortable and can return to their normal activities immediately after the treatment.
Does TMS Work?
Yes. TMS does work and is very effective in treating depression. Approximately half of the patients who did not respond to other treatment options will respond to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.
Does Insurance Cover Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?
In order to be eligible to get TMS therapy at Lakeview Health, you must be a patient at Lakeview Health. We do not offer this as a service by itself, but it is part of our comprehensive drug addiction treatment program. If you are interested in seeking addiction treatment at Lakeview Health, fill out our health insurance verification form.