Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Services


We specialize in offering TMS Services, a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate underactive areas of the brain associated with depression and other mental health conditions.




NON-INVASIVE TREATMENT

Top-Tier Technology

Hightop Health offers NeuroStar TMS Services, a novel treatment option for patients who have not responded to more traditional treatments, such as medication and psychotherapy. TMS Services benefits include its non-invasive nature, minimal side effects, and the ability to stimulate brain areas associated with mood regulation, which can lead to improved depression symptoms without the need for anesthesia or recovery time.
Neurostar logo

Find a Clinic

WHAT TO EXPECT

TMS Services Process

Hightop Health uses the following approach to provide TMS Services:

1

INTAKE & EVALUATION

Patients meet with a medical provider for an intake evaluation to determine whether TMS therapy is an appropriate treatment and to assess any relevant risk factors that may prevent eligibility.

2

TREATMENTS

A typical TMS treatment involves daily sessions over four to six weeks. Each session lasts about 30-40 minutes and is performed in a health care provider’s office or clinic.

3

MAINTENANCE

Maintenance TMS sessions are typically scheduled after the initial treatment course is complete and can last from a few months to a year, depending on the patient’s response and needs. Repeated clinical outcome measurements help determine the need for additional TMS sessions or other treatment modifications.

HOW IT WORKS

Understanding TMS Services

TMS therapy is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved, potentially transformative treatment option for patients with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions that have not previously responded to traditional interventions. This non-invasive procedure stimulates underactive areas of the brain involved in mood regulation, resulting in neuromodulation of the complex brain circuits. Research to explore its potential to help with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance misuse, tinnitus, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and many other illnesses is also ongoing.

Using the NeuroStar TMS system, we gently place a magnetic coil against the patient’s scalp. This coil delivers targeted magnetic pulses that activate neurons and enhance brain function. These pulses are similar in strength to those used in MRI machines, penetrating the skull to reach specific brain regions like the prefrontal cortex. By stimulating these areas, TMS helps modulate brain activity and can alleviate symptoms of depression in many cases.

Our patients typically undergo TMS therapy five times a week for four to six weeks, with sessions lasting between 30 to 40 minutes. The treatment is conducted in a comfortable environment where patients remain seated and relaxed. While the procedure is painless, some might feel a light tapping sensation on their scalp. One of the greatest benefits of TMS Therapy is that it is non-invasive, requires no anesthesia, and has minimal side effects, which allows patients to resume daily activities immediately after treatment.

At Hightop Health, we provide state-of-the-art care that embodies compassion and hope throughout a patient’s journey with us. Our holistic approach ensures patients receive personalized treatment tailored to their unique needs. We integrate TMS Services, where appropriate, into our comprehensive and individualized treatment plans, making it an effective solution for many, particularly patients who may not want to add another medication to their mental health treatment regimen for a variety of reasons.

GET ANSWERS

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to commonly asked questions about our TMS services and Hightop Health’s approach to offering comprehensive, integrative care. Learn about what conditions can potentially benefit from TMS Services or in combination with other standard and cutting-edge treatments. 

TMS Services offer a non-invasive procedure that modulates brain areas involved in mood regulation. It is often particularly effective for those with major depressive disorder who haven’t found relief with traditional treatments, such as psychopharmacology. During TMS treatments, we gently place a magnetic coil against the patient’s scalp, delivering targeted magnetic pulses that result in and enhance brain function. These pulses are similar in strength to those used in MRI machines, penetrating the skull to reach specific brain regions like the prefrontal cortex to attune various brain regions that might alleviate symptoms of depression in many cases.

Yes, TMS is FDA-approved as a treatment for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders. 

While TMS is generally safe, some patients may experience mild side effects such as scalp discomfort, headaches, or lightheadedness. These side effects are typically short-lived. In rare cases, TMS can cause seizures, but this is very uncommon. However, our clinical team will closely monitor you during your TMS sessions to ensure safety and maximize comfort and effectiveness during your treatments.

No. TMS Services are typically administered in a clinic setting due to the medical equipment requirements and to monitor potential side effects in a safe environment.

Related Blog Posts

Learn more about Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and other novel approaches to mental health care offered by our team of top-tier clinicians and support staff at Hightop Health.

  • What’s Better for Treatment-Resistant Depression? Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Ketamine, or SPRAVATO®(Esketamine)?

    Many of my patients who come to me for a treatment resistant evaluation wonder what’s wrong with them that the…

    Read More

  • Is There a Safe Sleeping Medication I Can Take?

    If you’ve tried all the non-medication suggestions to help you sleep and you’re still having issues, sleeping medications can be…

    Read More

  • Antidepressant Pills Don’t Help Me! What Do I Do Next?

    For the last several decades, treatment of depression consisted of either anti-depressant medications or psychotherapy or some combination of the…

    Read More

  • Get Psilocybin Treatment (Yes, Magic Mushrooms) at Psych Atlanta for Depression and Anxiety!

    So sorry to mislead you, but psilocybin (magic mushrooms) is not ready for prime time. I admit you were manipulated…

    Read More

  • Can’t Sleep? What You Can Do Before Getting on Sleeping Pills.

    There are many reasons why you may not be able to sleep. The number one reason is poor sleep habits….

    Read More

  • Should You Believe in Science?

    Strange question but more people are asking it in the last few years especially with confusion, misinformation, and politicization around…

    Read More
Load More
Blog Post Image

What’s Better for Treatment-Resistant Depression? Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Ketamine, or SPRAVATO®(Esketamine)?

Many of my patients who come to me for a treatment resistant evaluation wonder what’s wrong with them that the…

Learn More
Blog Post Image

Is There a Safe Sleeping Medication I Can Take?

If you’ve tried all the non-medication suggestions to help you sleep and you’re still having issues, sleeping medications can be…

Learn More
Blog Post Image

Antidepressant Pills Don’t Help Me! What Do I Do Next?

For the last several decades, treatment of depression consisted of either anti-depressant medications or psychotherapy or some combination of the…

Learn More
Blog Post Image

Get Psilocybin Treatment (Yes, Magic Mushrooms) at Psych Atlanta for Depression and Anxiety!

So sorry to mislead you, but psilocybin (magic mushrooms) is not ready for prime time. I admit you were manipulated…

Learn More
Blog Post Image

Can’t Sleep? What You Can Do Before Getting on Sleeping Pills.

There are many reasons why you may not be able to sleep. The number one reason is poor sleep habits….

Learn More
Blog Post Image

Should You Believe in Science?

Strange question but more people are asking it in the last few years especially with confusion, misinformation, and politicization around…

Learn More
quotes

“A completely non-medication treatment option is transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS. A magnetic pulse is given at a very specific frequency and targeted at a very specific part of your brain. There’s no medication given at all. TMS has also been shown to be extremely effective in individuals who have not tolerated or responded to antidepressants.”

– Michael Banov, MD

Medical Director, Psych Atlanta




Get Started with TMS Today

contact us