NeuroStar TMS therapy uses transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to address brain-related conditions directly. Most treatments for these conditions use medication, which typically has a systemic (whole-body) effect because the medication is intended to affect one area of the body, but it also affects others because it is delivered systemically.
NeuroStar TMS therapy delivers electromagnetic impulses directly to the area of the brain that controls brain-related conditions. Learn more about some of the conditions treated by Houston NeuroStar TMS.
The NeuroStar TMS advanced therapy system is for individuals who have major depressive disorder (MDD) or MDD-related anxiety symptoms and who have failed to achieve reduction in symptoms using antidepressant medication and talk therapy (psychotherapy).
The first line of treatment for depression is antidepressant medications. However, data show that up to 66% of people are treatment-resistant. This means they do not achieve satisfactory improvement from the medication. Antidepressant medications also come with a list of side effects that include diarrhea, nausea, headache, drowsiness, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction.
Treatment with NeuroStar TMS therapy is directed at the area of the brain that influences mood, such as depression and anxiety. Neurostar TMS therapy can be used as an adjunctive treatment with psychotherapy and medications to help control obsessions and compulsions in adults who have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Another treatment to consider is deep brain stimulation, which involves implanting electrodes within the brain. However, NeuroStar TMS therapy is an adjunctive, non-invasive treatment option that does not require surgery and can help improve symptoms.
The safety and efficacy of the treatment have prompted ongoing research into other brain-related conditions to determine whether TMS therapy can offer the same type of positive results. These brain-related conditions include, but are not limited to:
The FDA has approved Neurostar TMS therapy in Houston for the treatment of conditions like migraines and smoking cessation as well.
NeuroStar TMS therapy is not electroconvulsive therapy, surgery, or a drug. During your sessions in Houston to treat of your condition, you sit in a chair much like one you find in your dentist’s office. The practitioner moves the machine until the magnetic coils are against your head.
The cushioned coil is placed precisely so the magnetic pulses are delivered to the correct location. The machine turns the magnet on and off during the treatment. Some people report feeling a tapping over the area where the cushioned coil is placed or a tingling or warming sensation. This is usually temporary and occurs only in the first couple of treatments.
Each treatment session can take as little as 19 minutes, and you need treatment five days a week for six weeks to experience the full results. Many people begin seeing changes within the first one to two weeks of treatment, and sometimes family and friends notice these improvements first. Completing the full six-week course gives you the best chance of experiencing long-lasting relief.
Unlike medications that go through the digestive system or surgical procedures that come with a significant amount of risk, NeuroStar TMS therapy focuses precisely on the source of your mood disorder in the brain, delivering electromagnetic pulses to a specific depth.
Most major insurance companies cover NeuroStar TMS therapy for the treatment of major depressive disorder and for those with comorbid anxiety symptoms. With FDA approval for adjunctive treatment for those with OCD, more insurance companies are also adding coverage levels for OCD as well. It is worth asking your insurance provider what conditions they cover that are treated by Houston Neurostar TMS therapy.
Typically, you are responsible for your insurance provider’s copay for each NeuroStar treatment session. Your out-of-pocket cost varies depending on your insurance policy. The best way to receive your full benefits under your insurance policy is to seek prior authorization when it is required by your insurance company and to keep accurate records of your progress using antidepressants and psychotherapy.
These steps help meet your eligibility requirements. Ask your insurance provider’s member services helpline if the insurance policy has minimum requirements about how long you must stay on medication or how many medications you must trial before being considered for TMS therapy. NeuroStar TMS therapy requires a prescription from your physician, but you can still receive treatment when you are denied coverage by your insurance provider by paying out of pocket.
Depression and OCD are challenging mental health conditions that affect your daily life and activities. We encourage you to call us today to schedule your consultation and learn whether you have conditions treated by Houston NeuroStar TMS therapy and how treatment could help reduce or eliminate your symptoms.
