Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment for depression that is FDA-approved and covered by most insurance companies. It is a targeted therapy for treatment-resistant depression that uses magnetic fields to stimulate a region of the brain that has been found to be less active in those suffering from depression.

TMS has been shown to be effective in people who have tried and failed multiple antidepressants and augmentation strategies. Because TMS is a targeted treatment, it has fewer systemic side effects than most medications.

No, the two procedures are very different. While both are effective in the treatment of depression, there are many differences in safety and tolerability. TMS is a non-invasive therapy that stimulates the activation of a patient’s brain with pulsed magnetic fields. During a session of TMS, patients will sit in a chair and are awake and alert throughout the entire 15-30 minute procedure – no sedation is used with TMS Therapy. Patients can transport themselves to and from treatment with ease. In contrast, "shock therapy", or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), intentionally causes a seizure through the direct application of electrical current. Patients receiving ECT must be sedated with general anesthesia and paralyzed with muscle relaxants. Recovery from an ECT treatment session occurs slowly, and patients are usually closely monitored for minutes or even a few hours after a treatment.

Unlike ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) where short-term confusion, memory loss, and long-term disruptions in memory have been shown to occur, TMS has little to no side effects. Some patients who undergo TMS therapy report headaches, fatigue, scalp soreness, or dizziness. However, these side effects are minor and tend to fade within the first week of treatment. The most serious side effect known side effect is seizure, though that only happens in roughly 1 in 200 patients. This is a very rare event that our staff is trained to handle.

The TMS system has durable effects, which are established over 12 months. In a clinical trial, two out of three patients (who had either responded to treatment or completely remitted their depression symptoms), reported that 12 months later they had sustained these results. Additionally, after the trial, only one in three patients needed to return for'maintenance' TMS sessions.

TMS does not require sedation. All that is required is for the patient to sit still in the ergonomic treatment chair for the duration of treatment. Patients undergoing TMS therapy can return to their daily activities immediately following treatment.

Our patients complete an initial evaluation appointment with our board-certified Psychiatrists to determine if TMS is a viable treatment option. During the appointment, we review your treatment and medication history. You will also have the opportunity to discuss your current medications and ask any remaining questions regarding treatment. This will help both you and the psychiatrists, to gauge if TMS is the right procedure for you.

Many insurance companies will cover a large portion of the cost of TMS treatment. At Boulder Center for TMS, we are often able to contract single-case agreements with insurance companies. This means that even if we are considered out of network by your insurance company, they will cover treatment at an in-network level. We research your insurance benefits for you and make sure you are aware of any out-of-pocket costs before beginning treatment so that you can make an informed decision based on your unique financial needs.

Yes, TMS has been shown to be effective in the treatment of conditions such asObsessive Compulsive Disorder, which is now an FDA-approved treatment, Schizoaffective Disorders, PTSD, Bipolar Depression, Chronic Pain, and Addiction (tobacco, drugs, and other substances).

The coverage determination guidelines for TMS vary among insurance companies, but in general TMS therapy will be covered if you have met certain criteria. For most people, this includes having tried 2 or more antidepressants. Please feel free to contact one of our care coordinators to get more details.

Every patient is different, but most people begin noticing improvements within the first few weeks. Full benefits are often seen by the end of the treatment course.

Absolutely! One of the great things about TMS is that there’s no downtime and no anesthesia. You can go right back to work or continue with your daily activities immediately after your session.

TMS is painless for most people. You may feel a tapping sensation on your scalp during treatment, but it’s generally well-tolerated.

We see about an 80% response rate for OCD and Depression and a 70% response rate for anxiety. In severe cases, we may add a few free ketamine sessions to work synergistically with TMS which potentially makes response rates even higher.

The process starts by calling and speaking to one of our clinical technicians. After they verify that you are a candidate for TMS you will meet with the doctor to go over your medical and psychiatric history for 1 hour. We will then do what’s called a “motor threshold” where we determine that we have the correct treatment spot on your scalp and the correct intensity, this usually takes 30-60 minutes. After that you will start your daily treatment, which usually take 15-30 minutes 5 days a week for 6 weeks.

Patients who have a history of seizures, have metal in their skull, pacemakers, or are pregnant or breastfeeding may not be a good candidate for TMS.