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It’s one of the most common questions we get asked. Patients want to know what will happen before, during and after a TMS treatment. Your TMS provider will talk you through what to expect in detail before you start but here is our quick step-by-step guide on what a typical therapy session is like.
1. Take a seat in the chair and relax
Your doctor will make sure you are comfortable. You will be asked to wear ear plugs and a TMS cap, which allows the doctor to make location marks.
2. Measurements
Your doctor will take a series of measurements across your head to allow them to find your personal coil position.
Some doctors may use alternative methods to determine this.
3. Dosage
To work out your TMS 'dosage', your doctor will do a test called a Motor Threshold assessment (sometimes called brain mapping).
This involves placing a hand-held TMS coil (which looks a bit like a paddle) on your head and giving a few short pulses of tms while moving the coil around. the aim is to get your thumb to twitch which can feel a bit funny, but should not hurt.
4. Treatment Location
Your doctor will take one last measurement to determine the treatment location and will usually recline the chair to make sure you are comfortable for treatment.
The treatment coil is usually larger and held securely by a coil arm.
5. Treatment Coil
when you are ready, the operator will position the coil on your head for treatment
6. Treatment
During treatment you will hear the coil 'clicking' and may feel a tapping sensation on your head. Try not to move your head so that the coil stays in position, but if you need to move ask your operator to pause the treatment.
Once treatment is complete you can go about your day as usual. Side effects are unusual but be sure to let your doctor know if you experience any adverse effects during or after treatment.
