We are proud to be the largest Deep TMS Provider in Massachusetts. Our clinicians, staff, and management team all have a wealth of experience and knowledge and are happy to tell you more about our outcomes as well as answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to give us a call at 877-447-6503 for additional information.
Benefits of TMS
TMS Sends Magnetic Pulses to the Mood Centers of the Brain
Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) is an innovative treatment that offers lasting relief from depression symptoms. dTMS has been clinically proven to be an effective and non-invasive alternative for those who are not able to find relief from prescription medications. dTMS has also been shown to have none of the side effects that are commonly seen in antidepressant treatment and electric shock therapy (ECT).
TMS Depression Treatment Comparison Chart
Achieve TMS East and West are the Leading Providers of Deep TMS in the United States
Achieve TMS East understands that each person has a unique background and history, which is why we provide a free phone and in-person consultation to understand your needs and how we can help. Our care team consists of compassionate and experienced TMS Specialists and board-certified psychiatrists who will walk you through the treatment process, answer any questions, and ensure high quality care so you or your loved ones can achieve the most effective outcome.
How TMS Works
Many people have treatment resistant depression, where antidepressants have helped little if at all. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is an excellent alternative. Whether or not antidepressants have helped previously, TMS can still be effective.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation utilizes a magnetic stimulating coil that is placed gently on the patient’s head. The coil produces a magnetic field that pulses directly to the brain where mood is regulated. The stimulation activates the chemicals in the mood to produce the natural feeling of happiness and well-being. The TMS difference is that it produces long lasting results with much fewer side effects than medication.
TMS: The exciting treatment technology that has helped thousands of patients with medication-resistant depression
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is proving to be a leader in the treatment of depression for patients who have not found relief with traditional antidepressant medications. Read on about this promising and powerful therapeutic method—because knowledge is power.
The origins of transcranial magnetic stimulation can be traced back to 1780 when the science of electrophysiology was first developed in Italy. The modern version of TMS began its evolution in the 1800s with the earliest use of magnetic fields to stimulate the brain and continued the progression to England, where, in 1976, it was shown that nerves could be stimulated using short pulsating magnetic fields. In 1985, The U.K.’s Anthony Barker and the Sheffield Group designed a machine that utilized electromagnets, versus straight electrical currents that had been found to cause pain and seizures. Using the electromagnetic technology, they were able to stimulate the cerebral cortex with minimal discomfort.
Ongoing research on the effectiveness of TMS, with over 3,500 papers published on the subject, has consistently shown its effectiveness and promise in treating a full spectrum of conditions, including major depressive disorder, PTSD, autism, nicotine and cocaine addiction, and more. In 2008, the FDA approved TMS for the treatment of drug-resistant depression following a randomized control trial or study by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The study of 190 patients with medication-resistant depression produced statistically significant results, showing the clear antidepressant effects of TMS, while also providing evidence of its safety and efficacy.
In 2012, a breakthrough study by Linda Carpenter from Butler Hospital at Brown University was conducted in real-world clinical settings. Although about 30 such trial studies had preceded this one, these recent study results validated TMS efficacy, demonstrating a 58% positive response rate and a 37% remission rate.
- The non-invasive TMS treatment is performed on an outpatient basis in a doctor’s office.
- The patient is seated in a comfortable chair during the session.
- The TMS helmet is placed on the patient’s head.
- Rapid magnetic pulses are administered via a coil built into the helmet for a period of 20-40 minutes.
- The patient can then drive to work or school and resume all normal daily activities.
BRAINSWAY TMS MACHINES
The Brainsway machine was developed from 2000-2009 and gained FDA approval in 2013. The device has been successfully tested around the world, demonstrating its efficacy in treating medication-resistant depression in over 60 publications. The Brainsway treatment technology is often referred to as “Deep” TMS because the magnetic pulses reach a distance up to 8 cm in depth.
In Europe, Brainsway has received CE certification to treat several physical and mental health conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, autism, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, stroke rehabilitation, multiple sclerosis, bipolar disorder, smoking cessation, and chronic pain.
At Achieve TMS East, we provide patients with the best care with the best technology. Our clinicians and care team are happy to provide you or your loved one with all the current information to ensure our patients and referral providers have the latest information.
Offers New Hope
If you are one of the many who have tried antidepressant therapies but has not found relief, TMS can provide you hope and recovery. TMS was specifically designed to help those who have medication-resistant depression and target the direct source of the problem in the brain. TMS treatment restores the chemical imbalance in the brain and has helped a wide range of age groups and backgrounds. There is a new-found HOPE in TMS.
Non-Invasive Treatment
It may seem surprising that such an effective treatment can provide minimal to no side effects. TMS was designed to provide direct contact to the mood centers of the brain while excluding the side effects that may come from medications or electric shock therapy. The magnetic pulse is typically not felt at all during treatment and a very few have experienced a slight headache at the site of treatment.
Our treatment centers have been designed to put you at ease, helping you to reach your optimal comfort level while receiving treatment. You will be seated in a comfortable chair where you can sit back and watch television, listen to music, or just close your eyes and rest. Once treatment has been completed, you are free to drive back home or to work, as there are absolutely no effects on cognition due to the TMS treatments.
No Drug Side Effects
Side effects from antidepressants or electric shock therapy treatment can make you feel like there will never be complete relief from your symptoms. However, with the revolutionary technology that TMS provides, you will experience minimal to no side effects. That’s right. Imagine finding full relief from depression while not having to endure the side effects commonly associated with other treatment options such as weight gain, nausea, dizziness and loss of libido.
If you are currently taking a medication and undergoing TMS treatment, do not stop taking your prescribed medications. Post TMS treatment you may be able to gradually go off your medications with the supervision of a qualified doctor. If you need a doctor to work with you on your medications, we can assign you one from our network.
TMS Restores Chemical Balance
Depression is often caused by a chemical imbalance of the brain which can occur due to high levels of stress, genetics, traumatic events, and other physical and environmental factors. TMS works by delivering magnetic pulses directly to these mood centers of the brain that stimulate the sleepy chemicals to restore the feelings of happiness and well-being.
Signs of a chemical imbalance may include a lack of energy, irritability, change in sleep and/or eating habits, lack of interest in activities that were previously enjoyable, and isolation.
TMS is Not Just for Depression
The US Drug and Food Administration (FDA) approved TMS for the treatment of depression in 2008. In 2013, the FDA also approved TMS for the treatment of migraines. In Europe, TMS has been explored further to treat additional conditions such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), PTSD, stroke after-effects, bipolar depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, nicotine addiction, autism spectrum disorders, Asperger’s, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain. The use of TMS in Europe has shown promise to extend in the nearby future into the United States to help a larger population with these various conditions.
Brainsway
The Brainsway machine has been successfully tested around the world, demonstrating its efficacy in over 60 clinical trials globally. The Brainsway treatment is often referred to as “deep” TMS because the magnetic pulses reach deeper than other magnetic coils on the market.
- A comfortable padded helmet with a built in H-coil specific for patients experiencing depression.
- Pulses are delivered to strategic regions of the brain through the H-coil technology.
- Pulses are delivered safely, stimulating more neurons without any additional risk.
- A cooling system is integrated into the helmet.
- Treatment sessions last approximately 20 minutes.
Additional Treatment with TMS
TMS was cleared in the United States by the FDA back in 2008 to help patients with treatment resistant depression. It has also been CE approved in Europe for the treatment of bipolar disorder, PTSD, chronic pain, OCD, and adult AD/HD.
Including studies and TMS treatment worldwide, TMS has helped with the following:
- MDD
- Dysthymia
- Anxiety
- AD/HD
- Addictions
- PDD
- PTSD
- OCD
- Eating disorders
- Tinnitus
- Chronic pain
- Sleep disorders
- Alzheimer’s
- Migraines
- Chemical Inbalance
Insurance Coverage for TMS
Insurance accepted for Depression Treatment, specifically TMS therapy, has more than doubled in the last few years, a sign that insurance companies must see cost savings in a treatment method for major depressive disorder (MDD) that works more efficiently than the traditional regimen alone. Patients who continually suffer from the debilitating effects of medication-resistant depression may acquire other health conditions as a result, such as a substance abuse disorder or unhealthy weight gain, to name a few. The fact that more and more insurance companies are providing coverage for TMS indicates a cost benefit to the insurer, thus the broadening of benefits.
The following are some of the insurance plans currently working with Achieve TMS East: Aetna, BCBS, BMC, Cigna, Commonwealth Care Alliance, Fallon Health, GIC, Harvard Pilgrim, Masshealth PCC Plan, Medicare, Neighborhood Health Plan, One Care, Tricare, Tufts Health Plan, and United Health Care. If you don’t see your plan listed, please call and ask us about yours today.
*Different people with various diagnoses are helped to differing degrees. Results vary. Official FDA Approval is currently restricted to depression but several other uses are awaiting approval.
