Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an innovative, FDA-approved treatment for Major Depression. Our Sacramento TMS psychiatrists are uniquely trained in TMS, and many of our patients have experienced excellent results when traditional psychotherapy and anti-depressant medications have not effectively treated their illness.
TMS therapy is an outpatient procedure performed in our El Dorado Hills or Sacramento offices under a psychiatrist’s supervision while you remain awake and alert. Patients sit comfortably in a chair while receiving the treatment. There are no needles, shots, anesthesia, sedation or IVs used during the procedure.
During the procedure, a Sacramento TMS clinician positions a precisely-placed treatment coil over the left prefrontal cortex. Through the treatment coil, highly concentrated magnetic fields turn on and off rapidly in a series of short bursts. During the treatment session, patients feel a slight tapping on their scalp. Some patients fall asleep or listen to music during treatment sessions and others may enjoy conversation during the procedure. Patients are able to drive themselves to and from treatment sessions and resume their normal activities.
Each treatment session lasts approximately 37 minutes and typically delivers 3000 magnetic pulses. A typical TMS treatment course consists of 5 treatments per week over a 4-6 week period for a total of 20-30 treatments. In certain cases additional maintenance treatment may be beneficial.
The TMS Treatment Session
Watch a patient during a typical TMS Therapy treatment and learn more about a typical session: