Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Solstice offers Magventure TMS, a brain therapy that provides magnetic stimulation to reset your brain waves to function optimally. It is a newer version of the classically understood TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) which has been established since 1985.
Magventure TMS is a patented, evidence-based, FDA-approved, non-invasive procedure. Most sessions last 30 - 45 minutes. It is common for a patient to feel improvement within five sessions, but within 3 months, cognitive and behavioral changes can be truly felt and noticed. Magventure TMS has a low side effect profile and is a painless procedure, including in children.
What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)?
Magventure TMS works to deliver magnetic stimulation to certain areas of your brain to help reset and retrain your brain waves. This treatment is considered an alternative therapy that can help some patients decrease or even get off their medication. In the case of children, it can help prevent the need to start medication.
Magventure TMS can be used to treat a variety of conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance use disorder, ADHD, TBI, PTSD, and has even shown efficacy in Autism Spectrum Disorder. It may be used for ages 2 years old and up.
It's our objective to help you be as informed about your brain as we are. Your goals are as valuable as the things that make you unique and a true phenomenon. Using the best technology and sharing enhanced coping and neurological care is the path we choose for the families we serve.
Understanding Brain Waves
When it comes to brain wave patterns, the brain may have various significant deficits or imbalances. There are 4 especially key patterns that impact your mood. Delta Waves, typically present in deep sleep; Theta waves, typically present when one is drowsy or beginning to fall asleep; Alpha waves, typically present when awake but relaxed and/or eyes closed; Beta waves, typically present during focus, learning, and high level cognition. Symptoms arise when these waves are disrupted. Researchers have studied EEG wave patterns and have found that in the case of various mood disorders, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, TBI, ADHD, and even substance abuse - the EEG wave patterns are disrupted. There tends to be an abundance of light or deep sleep waves (slow wave activity), or very fast hypervigilant waves instead of relaxed alpha waves. It’s considered abnormal if either of these extremes are prevalent when the brain is trying to be calm and relaxed. What is the significance of this? This means that individuals are attempting to function at high levels when their brains are in a sleep-like state. Or, the brain is moving too quickly when you need to remain calm, focus, or process information. As a result of these abnormal wave patterns, emotional dysregulation, irritability, difficulty focusing, difficulty reaching milestones, impulsivity, or even suicidal ideation may be present.
Additionally, the brain rapidly burns through nutrients attempting to catch up to the demands of the day while in this sleep-like state. This depletion further impacts the brain’s ability to process information and regulate mood. Until these brain wave patterns are restored, it is extremely difficult for the brain to truly heal.
TMS (especially Magventure TMS) has been studied to help target these brain wave patterns and bring the brain to a better state of calmness and clarity due to the alpha wave improvement.
What to Expect
Once you have been approved to begin Magventure TMS, our team will schedule you for the actual treatment to be received 5 days per week. Each treatment session is approximately 30-35 minutes depending on your treatment protocol. The stimulation itself trains your brain to learn these awake, relaxed brain waves (also known as alpha waves). To solidify your brain’s “learning” of these waves, you will be asked to close your eyes during each stimulation burst (5-second increments). (If you have a child receiving treatment, we provide gentle assistance in this process if needed.) You will have around 30 seconds in between each stimulation burst. So it looks something like this: 5 Second Stimulation (eyes closed), 30 seconds rest (eyes open), 5-second stimulation (eyes closed), 30 seconds rest (eyes open), and repeat until the session is completed after 30-35 minutes. A technician or treater will be accompanying you to assist in any way in this process.
Consistency will be important for your treatment since it is a retraining of your brain waves, similar to a physical workout. Just like we see with endurance training or muscle building, there must be consistent days on and days off to truly see results. In the case of Magventure TMS, treatment 5 days per week is shown to produce the best results.
We recommend at least 6 weeks of Magventure TMS, depending on your condition. Some patients receive up to 12 weeks. This treatment is designed to be a one-time treatment. The longevity of results varies depending on lifestyle, medications, sobriety, and other environmental factors. We tend to see lasting results when patients are consistent with their individual therapy, medication routine, healthy sleep routine, and have a generally healthy lifestyle. You may discuss this with your provider in further detail for your own best results.
What is expected of me if I receive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)?
First, keep showing up, even when it’s hard or tiring. Staying consistent will truly pay off!
Second, we require a sober lifestyle to receive this treatment, as alcohol, substances (including marijuana/THC) will only interfere with your results.
Third, we recommend participating in therapy and/or medication management to optimize your results. While Magventure TMS is very helpful in improving your mood and cognition, it has a limited impact on your mindset and behavior. Those are up to you! And can be addressed in your individual work with your provider.
How can I guarantee the best or fastest results?
Results may vary with Magventure TMS depending on your condition severity, compliance, and lifestyle factors. However, we recommend a few things to optimize your results while receiving treatment.
First, have a healthy and consistent sleep routine. Try to be asleep no later than 10 PM to allow your brain time to rest and recover. This is important for emotional rest, in addition to the physical rest needed from the “training” it receives during the stimulation. It is much like a workout for your brain!
Second, get at least 30 minutes of morning sunlight between the hours of 7-11 AM. The sunlight provides special stimulation to support both the new waves and hormones in your brain.
Third, limit screen time. Screens provide a lot of stimulation for your brain which can distract your waves from healing.
