Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
A typical treatment course
5
Treatments / week
6-7
Weeks
40
Minutes per typical
treatment session
36
Sessions
Free
Consultation
The first step in the TMS treatment process is determining whether or not TMS is an appropriate treatment for you. Shore TMS offers a free initial screening with our intake specialist to determine if you may be a candidate for treatment. During this consultation, we will review your symptoms, treatment history, and possible treatment plans.
Shore TMS has a team in place to make the often overwhelming insurance process manageable. Our goal is to assist you in gaining access to TMS Therapy as quickly as possible by working with your insurance provider and securing coverage. Since insurance companies have their own requirements, you must first have a free consultation to determine if you meet those requirements.
TMS Evaluation
with Dr. Wolff
If you are a possible candidate, after the initial free consultation, you will be scheduled to see Dr. Wolff, our director. Dr. Wolff will see you for a full psychiatric evaluation and discuss TMS treatment with you.
Initial Mapping Appointment
It is important to determine how to most effectively administer your individual treatment, your first session may last up to an hour and a half. At this first visit, Dr. Wolff will determine the appropriate placement and energy settings of the treatment coil.
Placement of the treatment coil and the strength of the magnetic field are important factors in successful TMS treatment. In order to do this, a test is done to determine what is called the motor threshold. A magnetic pulse will be repeatedly given to find the strength that is just enough to result in a movement of the fingers.
From there, the coil is moved forward to the left frontal lobe, specifically the Dorsal Lateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) and the energy levels are then adjusted.
Begin TMS Treatment
The usual treatment session lasts up to 37 minutes. As you sit reclined, comfortable, and alert, the TMS device delivers rapid MRI strength magnetic pulses in a 4-second sequence. The same 4-second sequence is repeated 2-3 times a minute. During the session you can watch television, listen to music, or simply sit back and relax.
Treatment sessions are then repeated by our expertly trained TMS Technicians each day using the settings initially determined by Dr. Wolff. A standard course of treatment involves sessions 5 days a week for 4-6 weeks, although this can vary depending on a patient’s response to treatment.
A tapering set of treatments is sometimes used to ensure your improvement. As you progress through your therapy, our Staff will regularly assess your progress and determine the eventual number of treatments. After the treatment, you can drive and resume your normal day. TMS is non-invasive, meaning it does not involve surgery, and also non-systemic, meaning no drugs are used, and therefore no drug side effects.