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NeuroStar TMS Therapy chair at Alpha Psychiatric Services in Chesapeake, Virginia

TMS Therapy

NeuroStar Advanced Therapy (TMS) stimulates areas of the brain that are underactive in individuals with depressive symptoms during 19-minute treatment sessions. Unlike medications that are dispersed throughout the entire body, this is a targeted treatment for depression without the common side effects caused by medications.

Benefits

Benefits of TMS Therapy for Depression Treatment:

TMS Therapy does not require medication 

TMS Therapy can fix hard-to-treat depression

TMS Therapy does not require sedation or general anesthesia 

TMS Therapy is a simple *FDA-approved procedure

About NeuroStar® TMS Therapy

NeuroStar uses transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to target key areas of the brain that are underactive in people with depression.  Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an *FDA-approved procedure for treating depression. Unlike ECT, which applies electricity, our TMS device employs cutting-edge technology to address the cause of depression using simple magnets.

TMS also has numerous protocols that our office uses to address a range of mental conditions. We have TMS specialists who will customize your unique program. These treatments can also be rotated to target your specific condition and make a treatment plan that is unique for you!

 

About one-third of people with depression have experienced little to no relief from antidepressants. TMS therapy is an *FDA-approved, non-drug treatment option for those who suffer from depression. During a NeuroStar treatment session, a magnet similar in strength to that used in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine is used to stimulate nerve cells in the area of the brain thought to control mood. These magnetic pulses may have a positive effect on the brain’s neurotransmitter levels, making long-term remission possible.

TMS Therapy for Depression

When it comes to treating depression, TMS is one of the best options. With traditional medications, success rates are fairly low, especially if the initial one or two don’t offer adequate relief. Thousands of studies have demonstrated that TMS has an 82% response rate and a 62% remission rate

Therapy Results That Last

Unlike other medication-based treatments, TMS provides long-lasting results. With medications, one must continue taking them or risk both relapse and discontinuation syndrome, which is in contrast to TMS. 

Treatment with NeuroStar® Advanced Therapy is easy!

With more than one million treatments performed, this novel treatment approach to achieving remission is bringing new hope to people every day.

Therapy sessions are conducted in your doctor’s office

You can return to normal activities right away

You are awake during the entire treatment

There are no negative effects on memory or sleep

It’s covered by most health insurance plans

How NeuroStar® TMS Therapy Works

NeuroStar TMS Therapy provider setting up equipment at Alpha Psychiatric Services in Chesapeake, Virginia

1

BEFORE TREATMENT

You’ll recline comfortably in the treatment chair. A small, curved magnetic coil will be positioned lightly on your head.

Patient receiving NeuroStar TMS Therapy treatment at Alpha Psychiatric Services in Chesapeake, Virginia

2

DURING TREATMENT

NeuroStar delivers focused magnetic stimulation directly to the target areas of the brain. You’ll hear a clicking sound and feel a tapping sensation on your head.

In-office treatment with NeuroStar TMS Therapy takes 19-37 minutes and is administered 5 days a week for approximately 4-6 weeks.*

NeuroStar TMS Therapy chairs at Alpha Psychiatric Services in Chesapeake, Virginia

3

AFTER TREATMENT

NeuroStar Advanced Therapy: Depending on your doctor’s recommendation, each treatment takes between 19 and 37 minutes.

You can resume normal activities immediately! Because there are no effects on alertness or memory, you can drive yourself to and from treatment sessions as well.

Is NeuroStar® TMS Therapy Right For Me?

We’re happy that you have decided to learn more about Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy (TMS). To help, we offer a consultation with our TMS Coordinator. This is a chance for you to learn the details of this treatment, review your symptoms and history of treatments as well as any insurance requirements.


From there, our psychiatrist will take over and develop an individualized plan using TMS therapy if it is best suited for your specific needs. If TMS therapy is a good fit, then in most cases, sessions can be scheduled within weeks after first contacting us!

Click the link below to complete a Self-Assessment Health Questionnaire. Our team will review your submission and contact you directly! 

NeuroStar® TMS Therapy Testimonials

Veronica, a NeuroStar TMS Therapy patient at Alpha Psychiatric Services in Chesapeake, VA

VERONICA

February - March 2022

Bridget, a NeuroStar TMS Therapy patient at Alpha Psychiatric Services in Chesapeake, VA

BRIDGET

February - March 2022

Drew, a NeuroStar TMS Therapy patient

DREW

May 2022

Cara, a NeuroStar TMS Therapy patient

CARA

July 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

TMS Clinical Trials & Academic Studies

*The NeuroStar Advanced Therapy System is indicated for the treatment of depressive episodes and for decreasing anxiety symptoms for those who may exhibit comorbid anxiety symptoms in adult patients suffering from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and who failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from previous antidepressant medication treatment in the current episode.


The NeuroStar Advanced Therapy system is intended to be used as an adjunct for the treatment of adult patients suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

 

NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is only available by prescription. A doctor can help decide if NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is right for you. Patients’ results may vary. Visit neurostar.com for full safety and prescribing information.

 

1. Carpenter LL, et al. (2012). Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Major Depression: A Multisite, Naturalistic, Observational Study of Acute Treatment Outcomes in Clinical Practice. Depres- sion and Anxiety, 29(7):587-596. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22689344

2. George MS, et al. (2010). Daily Left Prefrontal Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder: A Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry, 67(5):507-516. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20439832

3. Dunner DL, et al. (2014). A Multisite, Naturalistic, Observational Study of Transcranial Mag- netic Stimulation (TMS) for Patients with Pharmacoresistant Major Depressive Disorder: Durability of Benefit Over a 1-Year Follow-Up Period. J Clin Psychiatry. 75(12):1394-1401. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmed/25271871

4. O’Reardon JP, et al. (2007). Efficacy and Safety of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Acute Treatment of Major Depression: A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial. Biol Psychiatry, 62(11):1208-1216. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17573044

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