Do NeuroStar Treatments Hurt?

If you are feeling frustrated because medications and talk therapy are not providing the relief you need from depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), NeuroStar transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy may be an option worth exploring. TMS is a proven, safe, and effective treatment for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and anxiety. It has also shown promise for individuals with OCD. If you are concerned about potential side effects, such as whether NeuroStar treatments hurt, rest assured that any unwanted effects are generally mild, manageable, and treatable.

What Is NeuroStar TMS Therapy?

NeuroStar TMS therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic waves to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in mood and emotion regulation. Unlike treatments that involve needles or surgery, TMS uses magnets, which means there are no sharp instruments involved. Some patients describe the sensation as a painless tapping on the scalp. These magnetic pulses generate tiny electrical impulses that help improve connections between nerve cells, essentially waking up areas of the brain that have become less active.

It is important to note that TMS is very different from electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Unlike ECT, which induces seizures, TMS only targets specific brain regions, and the risk of a seizure from TMS is extremely low—comparable to the risk associated with taking antidepressant medications.

All TMS treatments are performed in-office. No anesthesia is required, which should ease any concerns you have about whether NeuroStar causes pain. The device your technician uses makes a clicking noise similar to an MRI machine, but on a much smaller scale. If you are sensitive to noise, earplugs are provided to make your experience more comfortable.

Understanding Pain With TMS

At Beautiful Minds Medical, your comfort is a priority, and TMS therapy aligns with our mission to help you heal without causing harm. Clinical trials and our experience have shown that any pain associated with TMS is generally mild and easy to manage. Some patients experience discomfort or a mild headache where the treatment is applied, but over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen typically offer relief. It is rare for patients to discontinue treatment due to pain.

As you progress through your treatment sessions, any discomfort you may feel is likely to decrease. This happens because your brain is not used to this type of stimulation and needs time to adjust. Once your brain realizes that TMS is not harmful and is actually beneficial, the pain signals often subside.

It is important to communicate any discomfort you are experiencing during your treatment. If the pain is significant, your doctor can adjust the settings or remap the treatment area to ensure your comfort while maintaining the effectiveness of the therapy.

Learn More About What to Expect From NeuroStar Treatments By Contacting Our Team

Now that you have a clearer understanding of NeuroStar TMS therapy and its minimal risk of pain, you might be ready to consider this treatment option. It has helped millions of people worldwide, and it could be the solution for you, too. If you are interested in learning more, contact Beautiful Minds Medical to schedule an appointment and discuss whether NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy is the right choice for you. We are here to provide compassionate care and guide you on your journey to wellness.

Adult Indications for Use
The NeuroStar Advanced Therapy System is indicated for the treatment of depressive episodes and for decreasing anxiety symptoms for those who may exhibit comorbid anxiety symptoms in adult patients suffering from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and who failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from previous antidepressant medication treatment in the current episode.

The NeuroStar Advanced Therapy System is intended to be used as an adjunct for the treatment of adult patients suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Adolescent Indications for Use
NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is indicated as an adjunct for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adolescent patients (15-21).

Important Safety Information
The most common side effect is pain or discomfort at or near the treatment site. These events are transient; they occur during the TMS treatment course and do not occur for most patients after the first week of treatment. There is a rare risk of seizure associated with the use of TMS therapy (<0.1% per patient).NeuroStar Advanced Therapy should not be used with patients who have non-removable conductive metal in or near the head. NeuroStar Advanced Therapy has not been studied in patients who have not received prior antidepressant treatment.

NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is only available by prescription. A doctor can help decide if NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is right for you. Patients’ results may vary.