How Does TMS Therapy Work? Santa Monica CA

The  TMS Therapy system generates highly concentrated, magnetic fields which turn on and off very rapidly. These magnetic fields are the same type and strength as those produced by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine.

The treatment coil is applied to the head above the left prefrontal cortex. This part of the brain is involved with mood regulation, and therefore is the location where the magnetic fields are focused. These magnetic fields do not directly affect the whole brain; they only reach about 2-3 centimeters into the brain directly beneath the treatment coil. 

As these magnetic fields move into the brain, they produce very small electrical currents. These electrical currents activate cells within the brain which are thought to release neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Since depression is thought to be the result of an imbalance of these chemicals in the brain, TMS can restore that balance and, thus, relieve depression.

Next Steps – TMS Therapy

We will first schedule an appointment with our TMS Coordinator to talk about the services we provide, your symptoms, and any insurance information. 

From there you’ll meet with one of our physicians who will create a plan for treatment. If this is something that would benefit you, it can usually be scheduled within weeks of your first call to us!