TMS for Migraines
Migraine affects millions of people in the US and around the world, and is about 3 times more common in women than in men.
What is the Cause of Migraines
The exact cause of migraines remains a mystery, though it’s believed that they stem from various factors combined:
- Abnormal Brain Activity: This disrupts normal communication between nerve cells.
- Hormonal Fluctuations: Particularly in women, migraines can coincide with menstrual cycles due to changes in hormone levels.
- Emotional Triggers: Feelings of depression, anxiety, stress, excitement, or shock might initiate a migraine.
Identifying Migraine Symptoms
Migraines often cause intense, throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head, along with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound, which can disrupt daily life. Some people experience an aura beforehand, including visual changes, tingling sensations, or temporary speech difficulties.
TMS Therapy for Migraines
Traditional migraine management focuses on reactive measures such as medications, injections, and self-care practices. However, these treatments often address the symptoms rather than preventing their occurrence. An innovative approach to migraine treatment is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), which offers a proactive strategy in managing and potentially reducing the frequency of migraines.
In Partnership with
What is TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) and How Does It Work?
Mechanism
For migraine, TMS therapy is used to target the cortical areas of the brain associated with pain processing. By delivering magnetic pulses to these areas, TMS can help in modulating the neural activity, potentially leading to a reduction in migraine frequency and severity.
Efficacy
Clinical studies have shown that TMS therapy can effectively reduce the number of migraine days for patients, especially those who experience aura with their migraines. It’s considered a safe and effective prophylactic treatment, meaning it can prevent or reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.
What to Expect From TMS Treatment
At your first visit to Pacific Health Systems, we’ll review your medical history, assess your condition, explain how TMS works, and discuss insurance coverage.
During treatment, you’ll relax in a comfortable chair while a small electromagnetic coil delivers targeted magnetic pulses to specific areas of the brain. TMS is painless, non-invasive, drug-free, and requires no downtime—so you can return to normal activities right away.
TMS is typically completed 5 days a week for 4–6 weeks, with some patients noticing mood improvements early in treatment. Completing the full course is recommended for best results.
For patients needing rapid relief from major depression, IV ketamine and FDA-approved Spravato® are also available for those who have not responded to other treatments.
All TMS sessions take place in our office and require between 20 and 40 minutes.
Take the First Step Toward Feeling Better
Schedule a confidential consultation with our experienced team and find out if TMS or advanced depression treatments are right for you.