If you experience major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or major depressive disorder with anxious depression, we understand how these challenges can significantly impact various aspects of your life. For many individuals struggling with these conditions, traditional treatments such as medication and therapy may not provide sufficient relief. If this sounds like you, know that you are not alone. You can find relief from your mental health conditions with a consultation at Genesis TMS and Wellness, where we proudly offer NeuroStar TMS therapy, widely considered to be the top treatment of its kind.
Naturally, when our patients consider their options for mental health treatment, an important factor is the potential for pain. They want a treatment that is as painless as possible. If you are wondering whether NeuroStar treatments are painful, we can put your mind at ease.
FDA-cleared NeuroStar TMS therapy is an entirely non-invasive treatment that does not involve incisions or leave any scars. Another major benefit of this treatment is that it does not require sedation or anesthesia of any kind—our patients are awake, alert, and comfortable throughout their treatment. NeuroStar treatment sessions typically last just 19 minutes at our facility and require no downtime or recovery time after treatment.
One of our trained TMS technicians will gently place the NeuroStar device on the side of your head and engage in light tapping. Through gentle electromagnetic waves emitted by the device, specific areas of your brain are stimulated to enhance neural activity, particularly in regions affected by depression. This stimulation encourages safer and more controlled brain activity, potentially alleviating symptoms of anxiety, depression, and related conditions within weeks.
Many patients experience relief from their mental health symptoms after only a few NeuroStar sessions, although the full six-week course is necessary for optimal results.
We understand how important it is for our patients to find treatments that are as painless as possible, and are the least disruptive to your daily living.
Is NeuroStar truly painless? For most patients, it is. Only a small number of patients may experience mild to moderate discomfort near the treatment area during sessions—often described as a minor headache. However, this sensation typically diminishes after just a few treatment sessions. In fact, many patients find the discomfort manageable and report minimal to no adverse effects. This discomfort can also be immediately alleviated by over-the-counter pain relief medications. Rather than “painful,” patients occasionally describe the NeuroStar experience as “temporarily uncomfortable.”
For most of our patients, NeuroStar is a preferred treatment to medication. Comparatively, the minor side effects associated with NeuroStar are far milder and more tolerable compared to the side effects associated with conventional medications commonly used for MDD, OCD, or MDD with anxious depression. Medication side effects can be debilitating and challenging to deal with. They can include suicidal ideation, GI concerns like diarrhea and constipation, sexual dysfunction, and other serious side effects that can dramatically reduce your quality of your life. NeuroStar does not cause any of these effects.
If you are a qualifying adult or adolescent patient with MDD, OCD, or anxious depression, and you have not found relief through traditional treatments like medication or psychotherapy, know that you do not have to navigate your treatment journey alone.
If pain is one of the most important considerations for your mental health treatment, NeuroStar Advanced TMS therapy may be the best treatment option for you. For most of our patients, this FDA-cleared treatment does not cause any type of adverse side effects and is well tolerated. Book your consultation at Genesis TMS and Wellness today to explore how this innovative treatment could benefit you.