TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) works by focusing on the neural activity in your brain. Decreased or altered nerve activity in the brain affects every aspect of our health, from mental health disorders to physical conditions such as chronic pain.
TMS affects your mental cognition by restoring normal nerve activity and increasing serotonin throughout the brain. Using this noninvasive procedure, we target specific nerve cells using repetitive magnetic pulses.
The experienced team at BrainStim Centers, Inc. in Encino and Valencia, California, offers precise treatment using Nexstim SmartFocus® TMS technology, EEG Technology, and Cambridge Brain Science Testing to identify the exact location to target for treatment.
To learn more about non-invasive TMS stimulation, call the nearest office to schedule an appointment.
What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?
TMS is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate underactive areas of your brain. The pulses boost nerve activity in a precise area of your brain, which increases neurotransmitter levels. Your symptoms will improve throughout treatments, restoring normal brain activity.
Many mental health and physical conditions are associated with dysfunctional brain activity. Brain imaging (MRI/fMRI) and electroencephalograms (EEG), which show the electrical activity of your brain, can reveal the specific area of the brain that contributes to each symptom. Then, TMS can improve the specific areas identified.
TMS may help improve
major depression disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and OCD.
Patients who have depression and other symptoms because of chronic post-concussion syndrome may also improve with TMS.
How does Nexstim SmartFocus TMS improve my treatment?
The team at BrainStim Centers, Inc. performs TMS using the Nexstim system because it delivers customized and consistent treatment.
Your TMS therapy begins with an MRI of your brain, which the Nexstim turns into a detailed 3D image. This 3D image is an accurate spatial representation of your brain, which we review to find the target area for your treatment.
After we program your personalized information into the Nexstim system, every session will precisely treat that specific area without affecting other areas of your brain.
The Nexstim smart focus technology contains a painless infrared tracker that follows the movement of your head, allowing the computer to adjust in real time and keep your treatment accurate and precise.
Watch this video for a more in-depth explanation.
What Happens During Nexstim Treatment?
When you receive TMS treatment, you simply relax in a reclining chair. Once you are comfortable, your personal TMS technicians will position a wand-like coil gently against your head, and you won’t feel any weight or pressure.
The technician will also place small electrodes on your hand, which detect muscle movement. We use these readings to determine the optimal intensity for your motor threshold.
When we start the Nexstim device, the coil produces magnetic pulses. You will hear a click and may feel a slight tingling on your scalp every time the device delivers a pulse.
Once treatment is over, you are free to leave.
*** Treatments including but not limited to TMS help improve cognitive function. Individual results may vary.
