Do NeuroStar Treatments Hurt?
For some patients, medication does not provide relief from their mental health symptoms. For those looking for an alternative treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and MDD with anxious depression, NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy could be an option.
Often, our patients worry about the potential for pain and often ask the question, “Do NeuroStar treatments hurt?” We will answer this inquiry and review more of the most frequently asked questions in the following article. For more information about NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy, schedule a consultation with one of our clinicians.
What Is TMS Therapy?
TMS, which stands for transcranial electromagnetic stimulation, is a medication- and surgery-free treatment designed to improve brain activity. NeuroStar is a leading provider of TMS therapy for the treatment of MDD, OCD, and MDD with anxious depression.
How Does NeuroStar Work?
Often, depressed brain activity is seen in certain areas of the brain in patients who present with MDD, OCD, and other mental health challenges. These brain regions are typically involved in regulating mood, emotion, and behavior. While medication is designed to improve the health and functioning of the brain from the inside out, TMS aims to achieve these results from the outside in. TMS stimulates the brain by delivering targeted electromagnetic waves in a way that is relatively painless.
How Is TMS Therapy Delivered?
Clinical specialists deliver this treatment in our clinic during 20-minute sessions. During the appointment, the NeuroStar device gently makes contact with strategic areas on a patient’s head, and electromagnetic waves are emitted from the device to the brain. This process excites brain neurons and stimulates specific regions in a safe and controlled manner. This technology is FDA-approved and safe for qualifying adult patients.
In clinical trials evaluating thousands of NeuroStar patients, treatment resulted in no adverse side effects, and patients reported minimal pain that could be managed at home. It has been proven to help relieve some of the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions as well as offer long-lasting relief from these symptoms.
Do NeuroStar Treatments Hurt?
When exploring treatment options, some of our patients are concerned about pain levels. Mental health treatments are diverse, and some, like surgery, can be invasive and painful. Other options, like medication, could bring unwanted side effects that may cause debilitating physical and psychological pain.
We understand that pain is an important factor in selecting the best treatment for a person’s MDD or OCD. This is why we endorse NeuroStar because patients report that it is less painful when compared to competitor treatments. NeuroStar clinical trials demonstrated that some patients only felt brief, mild discomfort that could be easily managed with over-the-counter pain relief. There are fewer side effects compared to standard medication for MDD, OCD, or MDD with anxious depression.
Who Should Not Be Using NeuroStar?
Even though most patients tolerate NeuroStar well, there are still some people who do not qualify for treatment. NeuroStar is not recommended for children or pregnant patients. NeuroStar is also not suitable for those who have conductive metal or stimulator implants in or near the head or who have active or inactive implants. These implants could include deep brain stimulators, cochlear implants, and vagus nerve stimulators.
Schedule Your Treatment for NeuroStar to Answer Your Questions
NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy is safe for qualifying adult patients who present with MDD, OCD, and MDD with anxious depression. Compared to other treatments, NeuroStar TMS treatment is much less painful. We could answer more specific questions regarding NeuroStar treatments in your specific situation during a one-on-one consultation.
To learn more about NeuroStar, and if it is an option for you, call our office today.
