TMS For Patients

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Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a FDA-approved therapy that has been shown to be a safe and effective alternative to medication to treat medication-resistant depression.  Studies have shown that following TMS therapy, 70% of patients have a meaningful response AND 40% of patients show no symptoms of depression following a 6-week course of treatment (1 daily treatment, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks = 30 total treatments sessions).  

TMS therapy at Palo Alto TMS is an outpatient treatment where the patient undergoes a short non-invasive procedure, daily, over the course of six weeks.  Our system allows for the patient to work their treatments in around their schedule.  And because the treatment is safe and non-invasive, with minimal side effects, little preparation is necessary prior to treatments, and patients can return to their daily schedule after their treatment sessions.

Depression was the first indication that  TMS was approved for by the FDA after having been shown to be both safe and effective in clinical trials.  If your current therapy and medication are not performing for you, TMS therapy at Palo Alto TMS may be an effective alternative.

Palo Alto TMS' therapy system targets nerves within the part of the brain that have been shown to control an individual's mood and  have been found to be largely under active in depressed individuals.  By using magnetic fields, these nerves are stimulated non-invasively.  Following regular daily stimulation over the course of treatment, activity is returned to the mood control center, and symptoms of depression are alleviated.

Most major insurance providers cover TMS therapy for depression.

Along with depression, non-invasive stimulation of nerve cells by TMS therapy has been shown to be effective as part of therapy for OCD.

At this time only a select few insurance providers cover TMS therapy as an adjunct therapy for OCD.

Targeted stimulation of nerve cells in the brain may be helpful not only for depression and OCD, but for other mental health ailments including anxiety.