How does NeuroStar work?

NeuroStar is a non-drug and non-invasive treatment for depression and an adjunct treatment obsessive-compulsive disorder delivered in a doctor’s office. You recline comfortably in a NeuroStar chair (much like a dentist’s chair or spa chair) during treatment. During a treatment session, precisely targeted magnetic pulses stimulate the mood-regulating areas in the brain. There is no anesthesia or sedation. You are fully awake and alert during treatment, and you can resume normal activities immediately after a treatment session.

Can NeuroStar help me achieve remission from depression symptoms, and how long can it last?

NeuroStar is a non-drug, non-invasive therapy that can help you achieve long-term relief from the symptoms of depression. Many people’s depression symptoms significantly improve or go away after 4 to 6 weeks of treatment. In clinical studies, NeuroStar has shown to provide acute treatment response and remission*** for over one year.

Is NeuroStar safe and does it have any side effects?

An FDA-cleared depression treatment, NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is safe and easy to tolerate. Because it’s non-drug and non-invasive, it’s free of systemic side effects of antidepressants. The most common side effect associated with NeuroStar is mild to moderate pain or discomfort that typically subsides within the first week of treatment.

Is NeuroStar covered by insurance?

NeuroStar TMS Therapy for depression is covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare and Tricare, usually after medication options have proven ineffective in your major depression treatment.

What indications does TMS treat?

TMS is FDA cleared to treat treatment resistant depression.

Should I have a chaperone to and from my appointment?

TMS is a non-invasive treatment and most patients feel comfortable driving themselves to and from their appointment. You’re welcome to arrange a ride to and from your appointment if you’re more comfortable with that.

Can I return to work after TMS treatment?

Yes, most patients feel comfortable returning to work immediately after their TMS treatment if necessary.

During the session, you will feel a tapping sensation on your head. Each treatment session lasts around 19 minutes. Some NeuroStar patients experience mild to moderate pain or discomfort at or near the treatment site during the first week of treatment. This is usually temporary and subsides in subsequent treatments.

How NeuroStar TMS Therapy in McLean Works

As you live with depression, you may feel frustrated that medications bring side effects or only partial relief. Over time, it can start to feel discouraging to keep trying new options without really understanding how they work or why they might be different.

If you are struggling with this in McLean, understanding how NeuroStar TMS therapy works can be a pivotal step in your mental health journey. Rather than affecting your whole body, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) focuses on specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. For many people, this targeted approach offers a promising path forward when other treatments have not helped enough.

What Happens During a TMS Session?

Understanding the details of the NeuroStar TMS procedure can help you feel more comfortable at your first appointment. During each TMS session, you sit in a comfortable chair while a small treatment coil rests gently against your head. The coil delivers focused magnetic pulses to areas of the brain associated with depression or OCD, stimulating underactive regions and helping relieve symptoms.

Sessions usually last under about 20 minutes, and you can return to your normal activities immediately afterward. A full course of treatment typically includes sessions five days a week for six to seven weeks. Your provider tailors the treatment to your individual needs, including adjusting the strength of the stimulation.

What Results Can You Expect Over Time?

It is important to understand that TMS therapy works gradually. You may not notice changes after the first few sessions, and that is normal. Many people begin to see improvements after 2-3 weeks, such as a better mood, improved focus, improved sleep, or increased energy during the day. These changes often continue to build as treatment progresses.

Everyone responds differently to TMS therapy, but research shows that many patients experience a meaningful reduction in depressive symptoms. Some people achieve full remission, while others see enough improvement to better enjoy daily life and function more fully.

As you go through treatment, your provider will monitor your progress and assess how you are feeling. This ongoing support is an important part of your care. When people in McLean ask about the process and how NeuroStar TMS works, they often want reassurance that their provider is tracking their progress and guiding their treatment along the way. Your care team helps you decide what makes sense for your situation based on your response and your goals.

McLean Patients Can Learn More About How NeuroStar TMS Therapy Works

Living with depression can make it hard to feel hope, especially after treatments have fallen short. NeuroStar TMS therapy offers a different approach by directly stimulating the areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. It is non-invasive, scientifically supported, and designed to fit into your daily routine without downtime. Understanding how NeuroStar TMS therapy works can make it easier for McLean patients to decide whether this option is right for you.

If you are curious about NeuroStar TMS therapy and want to learn more about what it could look like for you, reach out to Genesis TMS Therapy & Wellness.