TMS Advantage offers a program found nowhere else in the area – we combine the most sophisticated technology available with cognitive behavioral therapy and personal care (nutrition, mindfulness, and movement) – to provide you with the best possible treatment so you can finally live your life to its fullest.
We offer a three-pronged approach:
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) – daily
- Cognitive behavioral therapy – weekly
- Personal care (nutrition, fitness, mindfulness) – weekly
Pairing TMS with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and personal care adds therapeutic dimensions that are crucial in combating depression. The physical changes of TMS on brain chemistry can reset the neurons in your brain to “normal” functioning. This means that as your TMS sessions progress over the 6 week treatment period, you should regain your energy, notice improvements in concentration and memory, and experience overall improved mood.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
TMS received FDA clearance in 2008 after a number of clinical studies demonstrated its safety and efficacy for treating medication-resistant depression. TMS is a noninvasive brain stimulation technology that uses electromagnetic induction.
TMS targets the area of the brain known to help regulate emotions and mood. In depressed patients the nerve cells in the pre-frontal cortex are often “frozen” or sluggish. The electrical currents produced by the magnetic fields stimulates or wakens these nerve cells. Over a period of weeks, TMS therapy has the potential to normalize your brain chemistry which can have a positive effect on your mood.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
TMS works best when combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and lifestyle changes. Since TMS helps revitalize and normalize sluggish neural networks – the fog of depression is lifted. Now that these neural networks are working better, to enjoy the full effect of the TMS treatment, you also have to understand and modify your thought processes, behavior and lifestyle.
Been in therapy before? Seeing a therapist now? Because you’re normalizing neural networks, it’s crucial that you understand and modify your thought process with a therapist who also understands TMS and how it works. TMS is a “game changer” where therapy is concerned. You may have been engaged in therapy before but when coupled with TMS it becomes even more effective at allowing you to fully integrate the change into your life.
In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the therapist works with you to help identify negative thoughts, anxieties, false beliefs, or irrational thoughts that can lead to the feelings of worthlessness and despair associated with depression. These negative thoughts can then lead to feeling unmotivated to get out of bed or to socialized, only making the condition worse.
Lifestyle Change
So TMS has allowed for sluggish neural networks to change, your negative counterproductive thoughts are being replaced with productive, positive ones…and this leads us to the physical part of the equation. Clinical studies have conclusively proven that lifestyle changes such as exercise, sunlight and better nutrition can have a profound impact on your mental health (and not just depression – anxiety and sleep too).
- Our nutritionist works with our TMS physicians to order labs and can identify any vitamin deficiencies or any abnormalities.
- We give our patients fitness trackers, theirs to keep, to monitor personal goals for re-engaging in your life and track your progress.
- Nutritional & exercise goals will be set and sleep patterns will be monitored as a part of a healthy lifestyle.
- Discussion of hobbies, social activities, mindfulness, relaxation.