Mental health disorders affect millions of Americans, with symptoms that can have a devastating effect on virtually every aspect of their lives. While medication and “talk” therapy help many people manage their symptoms, others find those treatments largely ineffective or falling short of where they want to be.

At Sal Rediscovery Center, Salisu Aikoye, MD, offers an alternative for patients at his Norwalk, California, practice: transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS. This innovative therapy uses magnetic energy to help optimize brain function and mood. In this post, learn how TMS works and whether it might be a good choice for you.

TMS: The basics

TMS uses bursts of powerful magnetic energy to stimulate neuron activity in your brain. The energy is delivered in alternating “waves” to create a magnetic field similar to that created during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Like MRIs, TMS uses no radiation.

Researchers aren’t exactly sure how TMS works to combat stubborn symptoms of depression and other mental health disorders; however, they do have some ideas of how the technology affects brain activity and mood. Specifically, the magnetic energy released during a TMS session targets the areas of the brain associated with mood regulation, helping stabilize mood symptoms. It also helps improve circulation in these areas while improving nerve-to-nerve communication.

TMS is often prescribed for people with treatment-resistant depression — a depression that doesn’t respond to traditional therapies, like medication and psychotherapy. But it can also be used to treat people with other mental health issues, including anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

What to expect during your sessions

TMS sessions take about 30-45 minutes. During your session, you’ll relax in a comfortable chair while Dr. Aikoye places the magnetic device on your head near the front of your scalp. Once the device is turned “on,” you’ll hear clicking noises as the magnetic field alternates. You may feel a gentle tapping sensation on your scalp, as well.

TMS requires no sedation or anesthesia, and there’s no downtime afterward. Some patients have slight scalp tingling or a mild headache for a little while after their therapy, but these effects clear up quickly. Most patients benefit from a series of treatments over the course of several weeks.

Although TMS can be a good choice for many people with treatment-resistant mental health disorders, it’s not ideal for everyone. In general, TMS is probably not a good choice if you:

  • Have a history of seizures
  • Have frequent migraines or other headaches
  • Have a pacemaker or other implanted “magnet-sensitive” medical device

Before recommending TMS, Dr. Aikoye reviews your health history to ensure it’s a good fit for you.

Find out more about TMS therapy

If you’re suffering from a treatment-resistant mental health disorder, TMS therapy could be the solution you’ve been looking for. To learn more about TMS, call 562-669-3287 or book an appointment online at Sal Rediscovery Center today.