Considered by many to be the scientist responsible for making transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy possible, Micheal Faraday once said, “Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be constant with the laws of nature.” Two key words are vital to take away here: “wonderful” and “nature.” TMS is a wonderfully effective, scientifically natural, non-invasive treatment that can be of critical use to those struggling with depression.
TMS can sound incredibly intimidating to those unfamiliar with it. Admittedly it does have a rather clinical-sounding name. However, once clarified, TMS is relatively straightforward and, more importantly, safe and effective.
TMS therapy can be a vital tool in helping those struggling with depression get on a safe, healthy path toward recovery. That is why Roots Through Recovery is excited to be able to offer this vital and effective therapy.
TMS Therapy: The Basics
Some people might feel intimidated to try TMS therapy because it involves sending magnetic impulses to different brain regions. However, that intimidation often subsides once the therapy is better explained.
TMS therapy works by stimulating areas of the brain that are often underused in those struggling with depression. This treatment method uses a targeted pulsed magnetic field to produce an electric current in the brain that stimulates brain cells, more commonly referred to as neurons.
These targeted pulses “jump start” or reactivate those parts of the brain that are underactive in people struggling with depression. Once treated, these parts of the brain start to perform more productively. This change in brain function has been medically shown to reduce the effects of depression on those that have undergone TMS therapy.
TMS Therapy: Navigating the Misinformation
There are several myths regarding TMS therapy.
TMS Is an Experimental Therapy
One is that it is experimental. This is simply untrue. TMS has been fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
TMS Is Time-Consuming
Another myth surrounding TMS therapy is that it is time-consuming. Again, this is untrue. Here at Roots Through Recovery, our initial course of treatment is about 19 to 37 minutes for five days a week over four to six weeks.
TMS Causes Harm
Another common myth is that TMS therapy causes brain damage or physical harm. This is wholly unsubstantiated. TMS is entirely non-invasive. There are no clinical studies that have shown evidence of TMS causing any ill effects on the brain or its functionality.
TMS Replaces the Need for Other Therapies
There is also the myth that TMS therapy fully replaces other forms of therapy. This is also untrue. Here at Roots Through Recovery, we offer several therapeutic options for our clients. We use an individualized approach, utilizing all the tools at our disposal to help you recover.
TMS Is Not Effective
The most common myth is that TMS therapy is ineffective for treating depression. As you will read, this couldn’t be farther from the truth.
The Efficacy of TMS Therapy
If you are still wary of TMS therapy and how it works, it may be comforting to know that it essentially uses the same science as that of a modern-day magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine. The base science of TMS has been around for over a century. The psychological aspect of TMS has been well studied for over 35 years, and it has already been administered to over two million people worldwide, with a very high rate of efficacy.
A study reported by General Psychology in 2019 found that in “[T]he analysis of data from 29 [random controlled trials] covering 1371 patients, they found that 29.3% of patients responded to treatment and 18.6% of patients could achieve remission with high-frequency [repetitive] TMS.”
There are even some clinical studies that have shown TMS to be over 50% effective in treating both men and women with depression. The science has long been in. TMS is a highly effective therapeutic tool in the treatment of depression.
TMS Therapy at Roots Through Recovery
Our primary purpose here at Roots Through Recovery is to see you recover, thrive, and become the best possible version of yourself. If you are unsure whether or not you may be struggling with depression or whether TMS therapy treatment is right for you, please feel free to utilize our online health assessment to better understand what you may be going through.
Do not let anything get in the way of your recovery – not fear, stigma, or uncertainty. You deserve to be well. With all the therapies and treatments now available, no one should have to struggle with depression. As the prominent Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh once said, “Happiness is the cessation of suffering.” We couldn’t agree more.
If you are struggling with depression, TMS therapy may be the right treatment for you. We have seen it work time and time again for our clients. Many of them experienced full depression remission and went on to live successful and healthy lives. Let Roots Through Recovery do the same for you.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can be confusing and scary to those uninformed about the therapy. Roots Through Recovery is here to help. TMS is a non-invasive and highly effective therapy when it comes to treating depression. It has been utilized to treat over two million people worldwide and has been shown to be effective in over 50% of people who have undergone TMS treatments for depression. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression, do not wait to get the help you need. You don’t have to live with depression anymore. Let us help you get back on track to living the healthy and fulfilling life you deserve. Contact Roots Through Recovery at (562) 473-0827 for more information.
