NeuroStar uses focused magnetic pulses (similar in strength to an MRI), to revitalize underactive areas of the brain involved in regulating mood. When these regions are underactive, depression can result. “Waking up” these regions can have a lasting effect on depression, making long-term remission from depression a reality for many people.

Treatment with NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is easy:

• Therapy sessions are conducted in your NeuroStar doctor’s office
• You can return to normal activities right away
• You are awake during treatment
• There are no negative effects on memory or sleep
• It’s covered by most health insurance plans, including Medicare and Tricare

You’ll recline comfortably in the treatment chair. A curved magnetic coil will be positioned on your head.

You’ll hear a clicking sound and feel a tapping sensation on your head as the NeuroStar coil focuses treatment precisely at the source of the depression: the brain. The patented Contact Sensing technology ensures the prescribed dose is delivered, every treatment, every pulse.

With NeuroStar TMS you are fully awake and alert during treatment and may drive home and resume daily activities immediately afterwards. Depending on your doctor’s recommendation, a typical NeuroStar treatment plan includes 36 sessions that each last between 19-37 minutes. Completing the full NeuroStar treatment course gives the best chance for delivering long-lasting relief from depression.

NeuroStar TMS is a non-drug, noninvasive treatment that uses focused magnetic fields to revitalize underactive areas of the brain to improve symptoms of depression. NeuroStar is a safe, effective depression treatment for people who have not found relief from antidepressants.

NeuroStar uses focused magnetic pulses (similar in strength to an MRI), to revitalize underactive areas of the brain involved in regulating mood. When these regions are underactive, depression can result. “Waking up” these regions can have a lasting effect on depression, making long-term remission from depression a reality for many people.

A typical NeuroStar treatment plan includes 36 sessions that each last between 19-37 minutes. Your doctor will determine what is right for you. Completing the full NeuroStar treatment course gives the best chance for delivering long-lasting relief from depression.

NeuroStar is covered by most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Tricare. Over 300 million people have insurance plans that cover NeuroStar.

NeuroStar is a safe and effective treatment without the systemic side effects of medication. The most common side effect is mild to moderate pain or discomfort at the treatment site. For most patients this subsides within the first week of treatment.

No. TMS Therapy involves a unique method of using pulsed magnetic fields for a therapeutic benefit. The intensity of the magnetic field is similar to that of an MRI. These techniques differ radically from the popular use of low intensity, static magnetic fields. Those products deliver weak and undirected static fields that are not capable of activating brain cells. The activation and stimulation of brain cells is a key part of why TMS is so effective.

NeuroStar is a safe, effective, non-drug depression treatment that uses focused magnetic pulses, similar in strength to an MRI, to revitalize connections in an area of the brain involved in regulating your mood. When these connections are reawakened, many people experience measurable relief from their depression.

In a study of “real-world” outcomes (meaning actual NeuroStar patients), 83% of people who completed the full NeuroStar treatment cycle experienced a measurable decrease in the severity of their depression, and 62% of those completing treatment saw full remission – meaning their depression effectively “went away.”

While there may be some minor discomfort at the treatment site (where the device touches your head), it generally subsides within the first week or treatment. There is no sedation, or impact on your alertness. You can read, watch TV, or talk with your treatment coordinator during your session, and you can drive home immediately after treatment. Does insurance cover it? Over 300 million people have insurance plans that cover NeuroStar, including Medicare and Tricare. Conditions and coverage can vary by insurance company, and your NeuroStar Team Lead will help you determine your benefits and coverage. We also offer cash-pay and patient financing options if desired, talk with your NeuroStar representative for more details.

NeuroStar is FDA-cleared for adults with Major Depressive Disorder who have not found relief from antidepressant medications. A NeuroStar leader will walk you through the full qualifications for treatment during your initial consultation.

1. Non-Invasive Treatment: NeuroStar TMS is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment that utilizes magnetic fields to stimulate targeted areas of the brain associated with mood regulation. As I mentioned, I like to describe it as “physical therapy for the brain” .

2. Efficacy: Clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of NeuroStar TMS in significantly reducing depressive symptoms in patients who have not responded adequately to traditional antidepressant medications. 83% of patients experience relief 62% experience full remission.

3. Well-Tolerated: NeuroStar TMS is generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects compared to traditional treatments like medications, making it a viable option for patients who may not tolerate or respond well to medication, but also can also work in tandem with medication! It also feels like a slight tapping (we no longer use the woodpecker terminology).

4. Outpatient Procedure: The treatment is performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to resume their daily activities immediately after each session without the need for anesthesia or sedation.

5. Insurance Coverage: NeuroStar is covered by most major insurances- NOT MEDICAID.

NeuroStar TMS is a noninvasive procedure that uses pulsed magnetic fields to stimulate neurons in your brain to improve symptoms of depression. Health & Psychiatry offers TMS therapy for major depressive disorder and uses the NeuroStar® advanced therapy TMS system for treatment.  

Your TMS treatment is an outpatient procedure conducted at the office. During your first TMS therapy session, the team needs to identify your specific treatment location and the most effective dose of magnetic energy.

During this session, which may take about an hour, you sit in a reclining chair and given earplugs to wear during the procedure. Dr. Sajan and her team then place the NeuroStar magnetic coil on your head and turns the energy off and on to produce stimulating pulses. You may feel a tapping sensation or hear a clicking sound during this process, which is called mapping.

She determines the best magnetic dose by increasing the amount of magnetic energy given until your fingers or hands twitch. Known as your motor threshold, Dr. Sajan and her team use this dose as a reference point for determining the right dosage for your TMS treatment and then adjusts it as needed based on your symptoms.

To get the best results from your TMS treatment, Dr. Sajan and her team recommend daily sessions five days a week for 6-7 weeks. Your follow-up TMS sessions only take about 18 minutes, and you can resume your usual activities after treatment.

Your symptoms may begin to improve a few weeks after you start treatments. Though results vary, you may experience a complete resolution of your depression symptoms after your TMS therapy.

To learn more about TMS, contact Health & Psychiatry by phone or request an appointment online today.