Accepting: Anthem, United Healthcare, Signature Care, PHP. and Cigna.
Not Accepting: Medicaid at this time.
What are the Benefits of TMS Treatment?
TMS Sends Magnetic Pulses to the Mood Centers of the Brain
Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) is an innovative treatment that offers lasting relief from depression symptoms. Deep TMS has been clinically proven to be an effective and non-invasive alternative for those who are not able to find relief from prescription medications. Deep TMS has also been shown to have none of the side effects that are commonly seen in antidepressant treatment and electric shock therapy (ECT).
Helps with Treatment Resistance
Those not helped by antidepressants can benefit.
Non-Invasive
Treatment
No anesthesia or electric shocks are used.
Little to
No Pain
Painless for many, some report slight headaches or irritation at treatment site during treatment.
No Effect on Cognition
Quick 20-minute treatments that the patient is able to drive themselves to and from.
No Side
Effects
Like those of antidepressants—with TMS, avoid the weight gain, nausea, dry mouth, decreased sex drive, etc.
No
Drugs
No use of additional antidepressants or medication of any kind.
TMS Depression Treatment Comparison Chart
TMS
Antidepressants
ECT
Viking Psychiatry is a Leading Provider of Deep TMS
We understand that each person has a unique background and history, which is why we provide a free phone and in-person consultation to understand your needs and how we can help. Our care team consists of compassionate board-certified psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and experienced TMS technicians who will walk you through the treatment process, answer any questions, and ensure high quality care so you or your loved ones can achieve the most effective outcome.
How TMS Works
Many people have treatment-resistant depression, where antidepressants have helped little if at all. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is an excellent alternative. Whether or not antidepressants have helped previously, TMS can still be effective.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation utilizes a helmet containing a magnetic coil that is placed gently on the patient’s head. The coil produces a magnetic field that pulses directly to the part of the brain where the mood is regulated. This brain stimulation activates the neurons in the brain to produce the natural feeling of happiness and well-being. The TMS difference is that it produces long-lasting results with little to no side effects.
TMS Therapy: The exciting technology that has helped thousands of patients with medication-resistant Depression and OCD.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is proving to be a leader in the treatment of depression for patients who have not found relief with traditional antidepressant medications. Read on about this promising and powerful therapeutic method—because knowledge is power.
Development of TMS
The origins of transcranial magnetic stimulation can be traced back to 1780 when the science of electrophysiology was first developed in Italy. The modern version of TMS began its evolution in the 1800s with the earliest use of magnetic fields to stimulate the brain and continued the progression to England, where, in 1976, it was shown that nerves could be stimulated using short pulsating magnetic fields. In 1985, The U.K.’s Anthony Barker and the Sheffield Group designed a machine that utilized electromagnets, versus straight electrical currents that had been found to cause pain and seizures. Using the electromagnetic technology, they were able to stimulate the cerebral cortex with minimal discomfort.
Ongoing research on the effectiveness of TMS, with over 3,500 papers published on the subject, has consistently shown its effectiveness and promise in treating a full spectrum of conditions, including major depressive disorder, PTSD, autism, nicotine and cocaine addiction, and more. In 2008, the FDA approved TMS for treating drug-resistant depression following a randomized control trial or study by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The study of 190 patients with medication-resistant depression produced statistically significant results, showing the clear antidepressant effects of TMS, while also providing evidence of its safety and efficacy.
In 2012, a breakthrough study by Linda Carpenter from Butler Hospital at Brown University was conducted in real-world clinical settings. Although about 30 such trial studies had preceded this one, these recent study results validated TMS efficacy, demonstrating a 58% positive response rate and a 37% remission rate.
How it Works
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The non-invasive TMS treatment is performed on an outpatient basis in a relaxed office setting.
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The patient is seated in a comfortable chair during the session.
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The TMS helmet is placed on the patient’s head.
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Rapid magnetic pulses are administered via a coil built into the helmet for a period of 20-30 minutes.
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The patient can then drive to work or school and resume all normal daily activities.
TMS Equipment
BRAINSWAY TMS MACHINES
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The Brainsway machine was developed from 2000-2009 and gained FDA approval in 2013. The brain stimulation device has been successfully tested around the world, demonstrating its efficacy in treating medication-resistant depression in over 60 publications. The Brainsway treatment technology is often referred to as “Deep” TMS because the magnetic pulses reach a distance up to 8 cm in depth.
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In Europe, Brainsway has received CE certification to treat several physical and mental health conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, autism, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, stroke rehabilitation, multiple sclerosis, bipolar disorder, smoking cessation, and chronic pain.
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At Viking Psychiatry we provide patients with the best care using the best technology. We also provide our patients with the current information to ensure that you and our referral providers have the latest information.
Offers New Hope
It may seem surprising that such an effective method of therapy can provide minimal to no side effects. TMS was designed to provide direct contact to the mood centers of the brain while excluding the side effects that may come from medications or electric shock therapy. Our office has been designed to put you at ease, helping you to reach your optimal comfort level while being treated. You will be seated in a comfortable chair where you can sit back and watch television, listen to music, or just close your eyes and rest. Once your session has finished, you are free to drive back home or to work, as there are absolutely no effects on cognition as a result of the TMS process.
If you are one of the many who have tried antidepressant therapies but has not found relief, TMS can provide you hope and recovery. TMS was specifically designed to help those who have medication-resistant depression and targets the direct source of the problem in the brain. TMS therapy restores the chemical balance in the brain and has helped a wide range of age groups and backgrounds. There is a new-found HOPE in TMS.
TMS: Drug-Free and Without Side Effects
Side effects from antidepressants or electric shock therapy can make you feel like there will never be complete relief from your symptoms. However, with the revolutionary technology that TMS provides, you will experience minimal to no side effects. That’s right. Imagine finding full relief from depression while not having to endure the side effects commonly associated with other treatment options such as weight gain, nausea, dizziness and loss of libido.
If you are currently taking medication and undergoing TMS therapy, you do not need to stop taking your prescribed medications. Post TMS treatment, you may be able to gradually go off your medications with the supervision of your medication prescriber.
TMS Treatment Restores Chemical Balance
Depression is often caused by a chemical imbalance of the brain which can occur due to high levels of stress, genetics, traumatic events, and other physical and environmental factors. TMS works by delivering magnetic pulses directly to these mood centers of the brain that stimulate the inactive neurons to restore the feelings of happiness and well-being.
Signs of a chemical imbalance may include a lack of energy, irritability, change in sleep and/or eating habits, lack of interest in activities that were previously enjoyable, and isolation.
TMS Therapy is Not Only for Depression
The US Drug and Food Administration (FDA) approved TMS for treating depression in 2008. In 2013, the FDA approved deep TMS for the treatment of depression. In 2018 the FDA approved deep TMS for the treatment of OCD. In Europe, TMS has been explored further to treat additional conditions such as PTSD, stroke after-effects, bipolar depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, nicotine addiction, autism spectrum disorders, Asperger’s, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain. The use of TMS in Europe has shown promise to extend in the nearby future into the United States to help a larger population with these various conditions.
Brainsway
The Brainsway machine has been successfully tested around the world, demonstrating its efficacy in over 60 clinical trials globally. The Brainsway treatment is often referred to as “deep” TMS because the magnetic pulses reach deeper than other magnetic coils on the market.
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A comfortable padded helmet with a built in H-coil specific for patients experiencing depression.
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Pulses are delivered to strategic regions of the brain through the H-coil technology.
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Pulses are delivered safely, stimulating more neurons without any additional risk.
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A cooling system is integrated into the helmet.
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Sessions last approximately 20 minutes.
Deep TMS
FDA-Approved Depression Treatment
Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. This technology is similar to that used in MRIs. dTMS has been thoroughly tested, participating in over 60 clinical trials worldwide with registered patents by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). FDA-approved depression treatments are administered by Certified Technicians.
How Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Works
TMS uses a machine that generates magnetic pulses through a coil built into specialized headgear. During the procedure, a patient lies motionless while wearing the headgear, with the coil positioned directly above a targeted area. An attending technician and specialist use imaging technology to pinpoint the area where treatment will take effect, before starting the procedure. From there, magnetic waves are sent through the helmet, past the scalp and skull, into the brain. The waves only penetrate so far into the brain, however, usually stopping short of anywhere from 0.6 inches to 1.6 inches depending on the type of machine used. Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation sets itself apart due to this difference in distance, allowing for greater efficacy. Treatments last roughly half an hour, during which time a patient may watch TV, read, listen to music, or speak with the attending specialist
Are There Side Effects of dTMS?
While the idea of passing magnetic waves through the brain might sound terrifying, these waves are entirely harmless and are about as powerful as the magnetic waves utilised in imaging technology, such as MRI machines. This means the procedure leaves no lasting side effects, and the only complaints issued after the use of TMS technology were complaints related to the physical sensation of the magnetic waves (akin to a light tapping), scalp discomfort due to the headgear, and mild headaches. Most patients reported that their discomfort waned with subsequent treatments. Movement disturbances, memory issues, and other such side effects sometimes attributed to other forms of neurostimulation have not been found to occur after TMS treatment. Cases of convulsions experienced after TMS exist, although the circumstances of these cases helps explain their occurrence: six cases occurred during TMS safety research involving parameters that no longer correspond to current standards, and one involved a patient who did not consult her doctor regarding the use of several conflicting medications.
How Long Will Treatment Take to Work?
For the treatment to take full effect, a patient must undergo TMS therapy five times a week, for four to six weeks (a total of 20 to 30 treatments). Some patients report improvements in mood after just a handful of visits, while others report incremental improvements, often only after the first few weeks. The reason for the many treatments is simple: to leave a lasting impact on the brain, consistent repetition is necessary.
How do I Pay for my dTMS Treatment?
Most major insurance companies cover deep transcranial magnetic stimulation, and several TMS clinics throughout the country work with companies to provide coverage to their clients. However, TMS is only covered by insurance when meeting the right standards. In most cases, insurance companies will require that a patient first undergoes first line treatment for depression. This is because TMS treatment has proven most effective in cases of treatment-resistant depression, where antidepressants and psychotherapy do not elicit a positive response or cause extreme side effects.
Qualifying criteria for TMS coverage include:
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Failure to respond to antidepressants.
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Failure to respond to ‘additional augmentation’ (non-SSRI antidepressants and other atypical treatment).
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Failure to respond to at least one type of psychotherapy/talk therapy.
For more information, check with your local TMS providers and current healthcare provider to determine whether TMS is an option for you.