Frequently Asked Questions
What is Deep TMS and how does it work?
Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (Deep TMS™), is a non-invasive treatment process that directly stimulates brain structures associated with mental health conditions. This is done utilizing electromagnetic fields generated by our patented H-coil to safely reach deeper brain structures and influence their neural activity. READ MORE
Who is eligible for Deep TMS treatment?
Deep TMS is a noninvasive treatment course proven to offer symptom relief for various mental health conditions. Eligibility for Deep TMS treatment is determined by a person’s insurance provider. As Deep TMS is safe to combine with other forms of therapy, many insurance providers consider those currently undergoing medical treatment or psychotherapy, as well as treatment-resistant clients, to be eligible for Deep TMS treatment. READ MORE
How much does deep TMS therapy cost?
The cost of Deep TMS therapy varies depending on the condition being targeted, the recommended number of sessions, and the insurance plan you belong to. After scheduling your TMS consultation, TMS of Austin will verify your insurance coverage and inform you of this during our consultation.
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We also offer various payment plans and for treatment as well as access to third-party no-interest financing options to ensure you get access to this state-of-the-art therapy in the most affordable way.
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Are there side effects associated to Deep TMS therapy?
As with all medical treatments, there are side effects and risks that patients should consider and be aware of. BrainsWay’s transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy is known to be well-tolerated and does not entail systemic side effects. Only a small percentage of patients discontinue treatment due to side effects. During treatment, patients usually undergo weekly follow-up visits with their psychiatrist, as well as a daily assessment of side effects by the TMS technician, and complete weekly follow-up measures to assess patient progress.
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TMS side effects usually manifest as headaches in about half of patients treated with BrainsWay’s therapy. Those that have been reported are mild and generally diminish over the course of the treatment. Over-the-counter pain medication can be utilized to treat this type of pain.
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Other less frequent side effects may include muscle twitching and jaw pain. A small percentage of patients may experience painful scalp sensations or facial twitching due to the deep TMS pulses. These, too, tend to weaken over the course of treatment, and adjustments can be made by the system operator to the helmet’s positioning and stimulation settings to diminish discomfort to the patient. While there is a rare risk of seizures associated with all forms of TMS, this risk is less than or comparable to seizure rates experienced with antidepressant medication.
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Most importantly, Deep TMS side effects do not include many of those which are associated with antidepressant medications, including nausea, increased appetite, weight gain, loss of sexual desire, fatigue, insomnia, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and more. Furthermore, unlike ECT, patients experience no temporary loss of memory function during or after TMS treatment.
Please contact your physician immediately if you are experiencing anything out of the normal range of side effects during your ongoing treatment with Deep TMS.
What do patients usually feel during treatment sessions?
Typically, patients hear a tapping sound and feel a tapping sensation in the head area during BrainsWay Deep TMS therapy sessions. To diminish the sound, the patient is provided with earplugs.
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Some patients experience temporary, mild pain or discomfort in the area of the treatment site, which occurs during the treatment session. This typically occurs only during the first week BrainsWay Deep TMS treatment. Other side effects may include muscle twitching and jaw pain.
How long does Deep TMS treatment take?
Deep TMS treatment is normally spread out over four-to-six weeks. During this time, patients come in for sessions five times per week and each of these sessions lasts about 20 minutes. Depending on the mental health condition being treated, there may be additional maintenance sessions after the initial course of treatment.
Do I need to stop my medication or psychotherapy?
Deep TMS treatment is safe to combine with any sort of medication or psychotherapy. Deep TMS is both noninvasive and found to be effective in treating a variety of mental health conditions, in combination with other forms of therapy or as a standalone treatment. READ MORE
What evidence exists for Deep TMS effectiveness?
Numerous clinical studies in reputable peer-reviewed journals have found that BrainsWay’s Deep TMS therapy is successful in alleviating symptoms of mental health conditions and offering patients relief. READ MORE