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How we help

Chronic pain

Pain shouldn’t decide what kind of day you have.

Chronic pain is pain that lasts more than three months, or keeps going after an illness or injury has healed. For many people it’s bad enough to limit everyday life.

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What it can feel like

Everyone’s experience is different. These are some of the things people tell us.

  • Pain that doesn’t go away
  • Stiffness and soreness
  • Moving less easily
  • Fatigue
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Changes in mood

Dr. Mark Liker, neurosurgeon and founder

    What treatment looks like

    Short sessions while you’re awake and comfortable. No anesthesia, no medication, and you drive yourself home.

    Paying for it

    Questions people ask

    How does TMS help chronic pain?

    TMS helps reset areas of the brain involved in sensing pain. When those areas are overactive, pain can feel constant, and calming them can ease it.

    Is TMS safe?

    TMS has been studied extensively for nearly 20 years, and it’s generally well tolerated. Scalp discomfort and headache can occur, and seizures are rare. It’s used for chronic pain in Europe, and we’ll go over the risks with you before you start.

    Will insurance cover it?

    Insurance doesn’t cover chronic pain treatment at this time. We offer payment plans. Financing may also be available through CareCredit, subject to credit approval and the lender’s terms.

    What are the side effects?

    The most common are scalp discomfort where the coil sits and a mild headache, usually in the first sessions. Some people have none. Seizures are rare. Your clinician will go over the risks with you before you start.

    What does a session look like?

    Most sessions take up to about 30 minutes, including setup. We place a small tracker on your face and a coil on your head, and you’ll feel light tapping that people often compare to a woodpecker. You can get back to your day right after.

    When will I start to feel better?

    Everyone is different. Some people feel better right away, and others after a few weeks. Your technician will walk you through what’s normal along the way.

    Can I keep seeing my therapist?

    Yes, and we encourage it. Talk therapy works well alongside TMS, and we can recommend a therapist if you don’t have one.

    Chronic pain is pain that lasts more than three months, or keeps going after an illness or injury has healed. For many people it’s bad enough to limit everyday life.

    It often doesn’t respond well to medication. Even strong painkillers may bring only short relief, and they carry risks like addiction.

    TMS works on the brain areas that process pain, helping to turn down the signal. It’s non-invasive and drug-free, and some patients feel relief long after their sessions end.

    In your body

    Beyond the pain

    How we treat chronic pain

    Going to the source

    TMS stimulates brain areas involved in processing pain, such as the motor cortex.

    A reset for pain signals

    Some of these areas can become overactive and keep pain switched on. Resetting them can ease how much pain you feel.

    Help for nerve pain

    It can help with fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and other nerve pain that hasn’t responded to usual treatments.

    Why people choose TMS here

    Treatment plans

    Standard TMS

    30 sessions, once a day, Monday to Friday. 30-minute sessions in blocks of 10, with a check-in every 2 weeks. Cash pay.

    Accelerated TMS

    50 sessions, 10 a day for 5 days. Ten sessions a day, Monday to Friday, for one week. Cash pay.

    Paying for treatment

    Cash only

    Insurance doesn’t cover chronic pain treatment at this time.

    We offer payment plans. Financing may also be available through CareCredit, subject to credit approval and the lender’s terms.

    The numbers

    Dr. Liker explains: Using MeRT, a form of TMS, can greatly assist in treating many brain conditions