If you are considering TMS treatment in River Forest or Chicago, it’s normal to have questions about what will happen when you arrive. You may wonder what happens during a TMS session, whether the treatment hurts, how long you will be in the office, and what you can do after your appointment.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation, commonly called TMS, is a noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in specific areas of the brain. Unlike treatments that require surgery or anesthesia, TMS is performed while you remain awake and alert.
A typical TMS treatment session involves getting seated and positioned, placing the treatment device over the appropriate area of the head, delivering repeated magnetic pulses, and monitoring your response throughout the appointment.
While the exact process can vary according to the treatment protocol, a TMS session generally follows several steps.
What Happens Before Your First TMS Session?
Before beginning TMS therapy, you will have an evaluation with the medical team. This visit gives the provider an opportunity to learn about your symptoms, medical history, current medications, previous treatments, and other factors that may affect whether TMS is appropriate for you.
Your provider may also ask about medical conditions, implanted devices or metal near the head, seizure history, headaches, and other health concerns. This safety screening is important because certain metal or implanted devices near the treatment area may be incompatible with TMS, and factors such as seizure history and medications can affect treatment planning and risk assessment.
Your first TMS visit also includes brain mapping to determine the appropriate treatment location and stimulation intensity for your individual protocol. Because this step establishes your initial treatment settings, the first appointment may take longer than subsequent sessions.
What Should You Expect at Your First TMS Appointment?
Your current symptoms and how they affect daily life
- Your medical and mental health history
- Current prescription and nonprescription medications
- Previous therapy or medication treatments
- Any implanted medical devices or metal objects in or around your head
- Any history of seizures or significant headaches
- Questions or concerns about the treatment
Your clinician can also explain what protocol may be considered and what you should expect from the treatment schedule.
Before starting TMS at CNS Brain Center, patients meet with the neurologist and medical team to review whether treatment is medically appropriate and develop the treatment plan.
Also Read: TMS Therapy for Brain Fog After Traumatic Brain Injury: What Patients Need to Know
What Happens During a TMS Treatment Session?
First, you will sit in a comfortable treatment chair. The TMS device is positioned against your scalp or placed over your head, depending on the system being used. CNS Brain Center uses BrainsWay Deep TMS, which delivers stimulation through a helmet-like H-Coil system.
The treatment team then positions the device over the area being treated. Magnetic pulses are delivered through the device to stimulate targeted brain regions. During TMS for depression, for example, stimulation is directed toward brain areas involved in mood regulation.
You remain awake and can communicate with the treatment team. You may hear clicking sounds and feel tapping or pulsing sensations on your scalp as the magnetic pulses are delivered. Ear protection may be provided because the device can produce loud clicking sounds.
The stimulation is generally delivered in repeated patterns, with periods of stimulation followed by pauses. The exact pattern depends on the TMS protocol being used.
How long does a TMS treatment session take?
A typical Deep TMS treatment session at CNS Brain Center takes about 20 minutes. The first appointment may take longer because brain mapping and initial treatment settings need to be established. Your care team will explain how much time to allow for your specific appointment.
What Does TMS Treatment Feel Like?
Most patients notice the magnetic stimulation during treatment. Sensations may include:
- Tapping or knocking sensations on the scalp
- Repeated clicking sounds from the treatment device
- A pulsing sensation during stimulation
- Temporary scalp discomfort
- Mild facial or scalp muscle movement
- An occasional headache or lightheaded feeling
These sensations can vary from person to person. Some patients find the tapping unusual at first, while others become accustomed to it as their treatment course continues.
Mayo Clinic notes that scalp discomfort, headache, facial muscle twitching and lightheadedness can occur with TMS. The treatment provider can adjust stimulation levels when appropriate if discomfort becomes difficult to tolerate.
This is also why communication during a TMS therapy session matters. If something feels uncomfortable or you have a question, let the treatment team know.
TMS does not require you to be enclosed in a scanner, and you remain awake throughout treatment. That distinction can be helpful for people who are concerned about claustrophobia.
What Happens After a TMS Treatment Session?
After the device is removed, the treatment team can check how you are feeling before you leave.
A major part of the TMS treatment experience is that there is generally no anesthesia or surgical recovery period. Many patients can return to regular daily activities after treatment. People can generally work and drive between treatments, although your provider may give you specific instructions based on your circumstances.
You may notice temporary scalp tenderness, a headache or another mild sensation after an appointment. These effects are generally short-lived, but it is important to tell your provider about anything that concerns you.
What happens after a TMS treatment session?
The effects of TMS are not necessarily something you will notice immediately after a single appointment. TMS is usually delivered as a series of treatments, and changes in symptoms may develop over the course of treatment.
For this reason, your clinician will assess your progress over multiple visits rather than judging the treatment based on one session.
Also Read: Deep TMS vs. Standard TMS Why Technology Matters for Your Recovery
How Long Does a TMS Treatment Course Take?
TMS is typically provided as a series of appointments rather than a single treatment. The number and frequency of sessions depend on the condition being treated, the TMS protocol, and your clinical response.
For depression, a typical Deep TMS treatment course at CNS Brain Center involves sessions five days per week for approximately four to six weeks. The exact number and frequency of treatments may vary based on the prescribed protocol and the patient’s clinical needs and response. Your care team will review the expected schedule before treatment begins.
Your schedule may therefore look different from someone else’s.
Attending appointments consistently is an important part of following the treatment plan. Your medical team can explain the expected number of sessions, appointment frequency, and any changes that may be made as treatment progresses.
The overall treatment process can be thought of in three stages: evaluation and planning, repeated treatment visits, and ongoing clinical review.
Why Choose CNS Brain Center for TMS Treatment in River Forest?
CNS Brain Center offers TMS at its River Forest and Chicago locations. Treatment uses BrainsWay Deep TMS with individualized treatment planning and medical oversight. The care team includes neurologists, psychiatrists, and mental health professionals.
For patients considering TMS therapy, having access to a medical setting can make it easier to discuss questions about eligibility, treatment settings, medications, symptoms, and side effects with the care team.
Seizure is a rare but serious potential risk of TMS, which is one reason the medical team reviews seizure history, medications, and other risk factors before treatment begins.
You can learn more about CNS Brain Center’s TMS services through its TMS therapy information page.
Also Read: TMS Therapy for Mental Health in Chicago A Breakthrough for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Conclusion
Knowing what happens during your first TMS session can make the treatment process easier to understand. Before treatment begins, your medical team reviews your health history, symptoms, medications and previous treatments. During treatment, you sit comfortably while the TMS device delivers magnetic pulses to a targeted area of the brain. You remain awake and able to communicate throughout the appointment.
For most patients, it is a structured outpatient appointment involving positioning, stimulation and monitoring, without surgery or anesthesia. You may hear clicking and feel tapping or pulsing sensations, and temporary scalp discomfort or headache can occur.
If you are considering TMS for depression or another condition for which TMS may be appropriate, speak with a qualified medical provider about your symptoms and treatment history. TMS is not appropriate for everyone, and an individual evaluation is needed before treatment begins.
For those seeking TMS treatment in the River Forest area, CNS Brain Center offers consultations and TMS services at its River Forest office.
Schedule a TMS consultation with CNS Brain Center or learn more about TMS therapy before your appointment.
FAQs
What happens during a TMS treatment session?
During a TMS treatment session, you sit in a treatment chair while a magnetic coil or helmet is positioned over the treatment area. The device delivers repeated magnetic pulses while you remain awake and alert. You may hear clicking and feel tapping or pulsing sensations on your scalp.
What does TMS treatment feel like?
TMS may feel like repeated tapping or pulsing against the scalp. You may also hear clicking from the device. Some people experience temporary scalp discomfort, headache or facial muscle movement during stimulation.
How long does a TMS treatment session take?
A typical Deep TMS treatment session at CNS Brain Center takes about 20 minutes. The first appointment may take longer because brain mapping and initial treatment settings need to be established. Your care team can explain how much time to allow for your specific appointment.
Can I drive or return to normal activities after TMS?
Many patients can return to their usual activities after TMS because the treatment does not require anesthesia or a recovery period. People can generally work and drive between treatments, but you should follow the instructions provided by your medical team.
Where can I get TMS treatment in River Forest or Chicago?
CNS Brain Center provides TMS services at 7319 W North Avenue, River Forest, IL 60305. The office can be reached at (708) 665-7000.
In Chicago, CNS Brain Center is at 2219 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60618. The phone number is (773) 904-7101.