Madison Avenue TMS News

What Actually Happens During dTMS Treatment?


What do you think of this article?
0 / 5 Average: 5 Votes 2

Your vote:

What Actually Happens During dTMS Treatment?

Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) is a therapy that works by moderating brain activity to restore balance in neural networks. dTMS technology uses magnetic pulses to affect positive changes in the brain and, by doing so, can help reduce symptoms of many mental health conditions. dTMS therapy has been proven to be highly effective, and the treatment sessions are quick and easy.

What Will I Experience at a dTMS Treatment Session?

Once you have gone through the consultation process and have confirmed with a licensed professional that dTMS therapy is right for you, you will begin attending your treatment sessions.

At your first appointment, the technician will conduct a brain mapping. During a mapping, your technician will closely monitor your brain while slowly activating the dTMS device. Brain mapping helps determine the best settings for your treatment based on your brain’s response to dTMS. This information will be saved for your future sessions.

Are you a candidate for TMS?

How Does dTMS Work?

dTMS is a form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). While standard TMS therapy uses a figure-8 magnetic coil, dTMS uses what is referred to as an H-coil. The H-coil is specially engineered to be able to affect deeper regions of the brain.(2)

dTMS Moderates Brain Activity and Restores Balance

Sending repetitive dTMS pulses into the brain works to repair and maintain the brain. To use a metaphor, if your brain were a car, dTMS is something like aligning the suspension on that car, which will yield a smoother ride and prevent additional stress on the rest of the vehicle. In essence, dTMS helps the brain function more evenly.

Conditions like depression and anxiety can be the result of the brain being “out of alignment” or simply out of balance. Certain brain regions may be overactive, underactive, or unable to sufficiently communicate with other areas of the brain. When this happens, people may experience depressed feelings, anxious thinking, and many other symptoms.

By stimulating these brain regions with dTMS, the brain can be brought back into clear and smooth functionality, which can lead to relief from symptoms for patients suffering from depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and much more.

Facts About dTMS Treatment

Here are some important things to know about the dTMS procedure:

  • It is painless. You may feel a light tapping or some muscles tensing around your head and face, but the experience should remain comfortable.
  • It is completely safe. Studies have proven dTMS to be a very low-risk treatment method.(1)
  • It is non-invasive. dTMS does not require any surgical procedure.
  • It is an outpatient therapy. dTMS is practiced without sedatives or anesthesia. After your session, you will be able to immediately return to regular daily activities.

Learn More About dTMS Treatment

We are here to answer any questions you may have about dTMS. If you’d like to speak to us directly, please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at 212.731.2033.


Resources:

1. Levkovitz Y, Isserles M, Padberg F, et al. Efficacy and safety of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation for major depression: a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial. World Psychiatry. 2015;14(1):64-73. Link. Accessed November 18, 2022.

2. Tendler A, Roth Y, Barnea-Ygael N, Zangen A. How to Use the H1 Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Coil for Conditions Other than Depression. J Vis Exp. 2017;(119):55100. Published 2017 Jan 23. Link. Accessed November 18, 2022.

Dr. David Woo

Dr. Woo has been seeing patients in private practice since 2002, always with the goals of combining evidence-based medicine with psychodynamic psychotherapy and collaborating with other mental health professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for his patients. He has been certified to administer TMS at his practice since 2017. His greatest clinical interests include helping patients suffering from depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder.


Ready to try TMS?

If you're in the New York City area, contact us online to check your insurance coverage and schedule your first appointment.

Contact Us Online!

Recent Posts

Eating disorders (ED) are complex mental health conditions that extend far beyond food and eating habits. They often involve a challenging interplay of emotional, psychological, and physical factors. Understanding the various types of eating disorders and their connection to other mental health issu...

Read More

For creative professionals living in New York, the vibrant city offers endless inspiration and opportunities. However, many artists, writers, designers, and other creatives struggle to realize their full potential due to mental health challenges. Artist depression, while a well-trodden cliche in pop...

Read More

While summer is often associated with joy and relaxation, many individuals in New York City experience a different reality. “Summer depression,” also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in the summer, is a real phenomenon affecting a significant number of people in New York on top of the ...

Read More

phone (212) 731-2033 Is TMS Right for You? Take Your Self Assessment