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At Ketavita Wellness Clinic, we offer specialized treatment options for depression, particularly when traditional approaches haven’t provided adequate relief. Our evidence-based therapies—including IV ketamine, IM ketamine, SPRAVATO®, and TMS—offer hope for individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression.
Located in Wyckoff, New Jersey, our clinic provides a supportive environment where you receive care from experienced medical professionals who understand the profound impact depression has on every aspect of life. We take time to understand your unique situation and develop personalized treatment plans designed to help you achieve meaningful improvement in your symptoms and quality of life.
Every treatment journey begins with a comprehensive consultation where we review your depression history, previous treatments, and current symptoms. We work closely with you throughout the process, monitoring your progress and adjusting your care plan as needed to optimize your response to treatment.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific regions of the brain involved in mood regulation. Unlike medications that affect your entire body, TMS delivers focused stimulation directly to targeted brain areas.
The therapy was approved by the FDA in 2008 for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder in adults who have not achieved satisfactory improvement from antidepressant medications. Since then, TMS has become an established treatment option used in clinical settings throughout the United States.
TMS works by delivering magnetic pulses through a treatment coil placed against your scalp. These pulses create small electrical currents in the targeted brain region, which can help restore normal patterns of brain activity associated with healthy mood regulation.
TMS therapy involves the use of a specialized device that generates focused magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in specific regions of the brain. The most common target area is the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a region that plays a key role in mood regulation and is often underactive in people with depression.
During treatment, a magnetic coil is positioned against your head. The device then delivers brief magnetic pulses that pass through the skull and into the brain tissue. These pulses stimulate neural activity in the targeted region, potentially helping to normalize brain function related to mood.
The therapy is non-invasive, meaning it doesn’t require surgery, anesthesia, or sedation. You remain awake and alert throughout each session. TMS doesn’t involve electrical currents passing through your body, and the magnetic fields used are similar in strength to those used in MRI machines.
TMS works by generating rapidly changing magnetic fields that induce small electrical currents in targeted brain tissue. These currents stimulate neurons in the treatment area, which can lead to changes in brain activity patterns and neural connectivity.
The specific mechanisms by which TMS alleviates depression are still being studied, but research suggests the therapy may help restore normal communication patterns between different brain regions involved in mood regulation. It may also promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new neural connections.
The most commonly used TMS protocol involves high-frequency stimulation applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This region has been consistently associated with mood regulation, and studies have shown that stimulating this area can lead to improvements in depressive symptoms.
TMS therapy is primarily used for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, defined as depression that has not responded adequately to at least two different antidepressant medications. Research has focused extensively on this application, and TMS is FDA-approved for this indication.
The therapy may be appropriate for individuals with major depressive disorder who:
Research is ongoing into TMS applications for other conditions, though depression remains the primary FDA-approved indication. Your medical provider can discuss whether TMS therapy is appropriate for your specific situation.
Your TMS therapy journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation to determine if you’re an appropriate candidate for treatment. This includes reviewing your depression history, previous treatments, current medications, and any conditions that might affect TMS candidacy.
Before your first treatment session, your provider will measure your head to determine the precise positioning for the treatment coil. They’ll also determine your motor threshold, which is the minimum magnetic field strength needed to cause a small muscle twitch in your hand. This helps ensure appropriate treatment dosing.
During each treatment session, you’ll sit comfortably in a treatment chair. The magnetic coil is positioned against your head in the predetermined location. You’ll hear clicking sounds and feel tapping sensations on your scalp as the magnetic pulses are delivered. Many people describe the sensation as similar to light tapping.
Treatment sessions typically last 20 to 40 minutes. Most protocols involve daily treatments five days per week for four to six weeks, though treatment length and frequency can vary based on individual needs and response.
You can resume normal activities immediately after each session. TMS doesn’t cause sedation or cognitive impairment, so you can drive yourself to and from appointments, return to work, and engage in your usual daily activities.
A standard TMS therapy course typically involves:
Some people begin to notice improvements in mood and depression symptoms within the first few weeks of treatment, though response time varies among individuals. The full therapeutic effect often emerges gradually over the course of treatment.
Your provider will assess your progress regularly throughout treatment. Based on your response, the treatment protocol may be adjusted or extended to optimize results. Some people benefit from additional sessions beyond the initial treatment course.
TMS therapy may be appropriate for adults with major depressive disorder who have not achieved satisfactory improvement from antidepressant medications. It’s particularly relevant for those seeking a non-medication treatment option or experiencing intolerable medication side effects.
Good candidates for TMS typically have:
TMS may not be suitable for everyone. The therapy is contraindicated for individuals with certain metallic implants in or near the head, such as cochlear implants, deep brain stimulators, or metallic fragments. A history of seizures or certain neurological conditions may also affect candidacy.
The best way to determine if TMS therapy is right for you is through comprehensive consultation with our medical team. We’ll review your complete medical history, discuss your treatment goals, and help you make an informed decision about whether TMS aligns with your needs.
TMS is generally well-tolerated with a favorable safety profile. The therapy is non-invasive and doesn’t require anesthesia or sedation. Unlike some depression treatments, TMS doesn’t cause systemic side effects like weight gain, sexual dysfunction, or cognitive impairment.
The most common side effect is scalp discomfort or headache during or after treatment sessions. This typically decreases as you become accustomed to the sensation. Mild headaches can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers if needed.
Some people experience muscle twitching or tingling in the facial muscles during treatment. This is a normal response to the magnetic stimulation and typically doesn’t cause significant discomfort.
The risk of serious side effects is very low. Seizure is the most serious potential risk, but it occurs very rarely with modern TMS protocols when the therapy is administered according to established safety guidelines.
All treatments are administered by trained medical professionals who monitor you throughout each session. We follow established safety protocols and guidelines to ensure your wellbeing during therapy.
We take a personalized, comprehensive approach to TMS therapy. Before beginning treatment, we conduct thorough evaluation to ensure TMS is appropriate for your needs and that you understand what to expect from therapy.
Throughout your treatment course, we monitor your progress and adjust protocols as needed to optimize outcomes. Regular assessments help us track improvements and identify any concerns early.
We view TMS as part of a comprehensive approach to depression treatment. Many people receive TMS while continuing with other treatments such as psychotherapy or medication management. We coordinate care to ensure all aspects of your treatment plan work together effectively.
Our team stays informed about evolving research and best practices in TMS therapy. We’re committed to providing evidence-based treatment that reflects the current understanding of how TMS can best help people with depression.
TMS therapy is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, and many insurance plans provide coverage for this indication when medical necessity criteria are met. Coverage varies by plan and individual circumstances.
We work with patients to verify insurance benefits and determine coverage for TMS therapy. Our team can help you understand your benefits and any out-of-pocket costs you may be responsible for.
For those without insurance coverage or whose plans don’t cover TMS, we provide transparent information about self-pay costs. The investment in TMS therapy represents a commitment to your mental health and wellbeing.
We believe that financial considerations shouldn’t be a barrier to accessing effective depression treatment. We’ll work with you to explore all available options for making TMS therapy accessible.
If you’re interested in learning more about TMS therapy and whether it might be right for you, we invite you to schedule a consultation at Ketavita Wellness Clinic. We’ll discuss your depression history, treatment goals, and determine if TMS aligns with your needs.
Our team is dedicated to helping you find effective treatment for depression through evidence-based, personalized care. We take time to understand your unique situation and provide clear information to help you make informed treatment decisions.
Contact us today to learn more about TMS therapy and how it may help you achieve relief from depression.
Vida R, Sághy E, Bella R, et al. Efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) adjunctive therapy for major depressive disorder (MDD) after two antidepressant treatment failures: meta-analysis of randomized sham-controlled trials. BMC Psychiatry. 2023;23:545. https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-023-05033-y
Cole EJ, Phillips AL, Bentzley BS, et al. Consensus review and considerations on TMS to treat depression: A comprehensive update endorsed by the National Network of Depression Centers, the Clinical TMS Society, and the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Clinical Neurophysiology. 2024;170:1-44. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1388245724003766
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