Your First TMS Session
What To Expect in Your TMS Session
Your initial TMS session will take slightly longer than your other sessions because we will be mapping out exactly where to focus on your brain. When brain mapping, our clinician uses an electromagnetic coil to locate the area of your brain associated with mood regulation. This process is sometimes called motor threshold determination. The clinician will lay the coil near your scalp, and you will hear a slight tapping sound when the pulses start. This mapping is designed to personalize your TMS treatment for maximum efficacy.
During a typical session, a magnetic coil near your scalp will send pulses to the targeted brain areas. Some patients initially find this unusual, but the sensation becomes familiar and comfortable with repetition. You may also feel a slight tingling sensation on your forehead or scalp, and we will adjust pulse intensity and coil placement to keep you comfortable.
A TMS session typically lasts about 19 minutes—and you will be sitting comfortably the entire time. Some patients bring books or music during their sessions, while other patients just relax. Since non-invasive treatment involves staying awake and requires no recovery time, you will not need to rest after your session and can resume your regular activities right after it.
Common Questions About TMS Therapy
Does TMS Cause Pain? Some patients report mild scalp discomfort or headaches during their initial TMS sessions. Those effects are usually short-lived and eventually diminish over time.
How Often Will I Need TMS Sessions? A typical course of TMS therapy involves sessions five days a week for seven weeks (or six weeks for OCD). Although this schedule seems demanding, research indicates that consistent, frequent treatment is necessary for optimal therapeutic outcomes. At Bloom Health Center, we offer flexible scheduling to make it easy to complete as many TMS sessions as required.
When Will I Start To Feel Better? Most patients start to feel the positive effects four to six weeks after their treatment begins. Remember that everyone responds differently to TMS therapy. Some patients experience an improvement in their health faster than others. As your treatment progresses, our caring professionals at Bloom Health Center will provide you with all the help and support you need.
Call Us Today To Schedule Your Initial TMS Treatment
Contact Bloom Health Centers today for an intake appointment to discuss how NeuroStar TMS therapy might be able to address your mental health condition—and then schedule your first TMS session with us. We want to make your TMS therapy as positive and effective as possible. Get started with this non-invasive, evidence-based approach to mental health that more and more people around the country are experiencing. If you are new to TMS or considering it after other treatments, our team is here to provide you with the support and care you need.
TMS Patient Journey at Bloom
New to TMS? You are not alone.
Find out more about the journey to a life without depression through TMS Therapy at Bloom.
TMS Offered At:
Virginia
Arlington
801 N Quincy St, #601
Arlington, VA 22203
Winchester
158 Front Royal Pike, #206
Winchester VA 22602
MOB III, 7702 E Parham Rd Suite 102 Richmond, VA 23294
630 Peter Jefferson Pkwy STE 130 Charlottesville, VA 22911
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