In the present age, in which problems of mental health and of the nervous system are increasing, particularly among working people who have to meet the stress of office syndrome, finding a method of treatment that is effective and has few side effects is extremely important. The TMS brain stimulation device, or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, has therefore become a medical innovation of great interest for those looking for a rehabilitation medicine option in treating conditions of the nervous system and problems of mental health.
Getting to know TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation): what is it?
Modern medical technology has offered a method of treatment that is safe and highly effective, using scientific principles accepted at international level. This treatment with a magnetic field has received the interest of both doctors and patients worldwide, because of its safety and its concrete results.
What kind of treatment is TMS?
TMS is treatment using a magnetic field of high strength to stimulate the nerve cells in a particular area of the brain. This treatment needs no surgery, no needle, and no anaesthetic. The patient sits in a comfortable position while the doctor places a magnetic coil head on the head to send the magnetic signal into the brain. This process takes about 30 minutes per session, and the patient can return to normal activities immediately after the treatment.
The principle by which the brain stimulation device with a magnetic field (TMS) works
The TMS magnetic stimulation device works by relying on the principle of Electromagnetic Induction. When the magnetic field passes into the brain, a small electric current arises that can stimulate the nerve cells. This process helps rebalance the working of the brain in the area with the problem, and can increase or reduce the activity of the nerve cells as required. Besides this, TMS magnetic stimulation also helps promote the creation of new neural pathways (Neuroplasticity), so that the brain can recover and adapt better.
The difference between TMS and PMS (Peripheral Magnetic Stimulation)
Many people may wonder about the difference between TMS and PMS, since both technologies use a magnetic field in treatment, but there are important differences in several respects. Understanding this difference helps the patient choose the treatment that suits their own symptoms better.
The purpose and the goal of the treatment
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) emphasises stimulating the nerve cells in the brain, particularly the area of the prefrontal cortex, in order to treat psychiatric problems and problems of the central nervous system, while PMS (Peripheral Magnetic Stimulation) is the stimulation of the peripheral nervous system and the muscles in order to treat pain and problems of movement.
What conditions and symptoms can TMS help treat?
The use of TMS technology in treatment has been widely researched, and it is found to be effective in treating several kinds of condition, particularly conditions involving the working of the nervous system and the brain, covering everything from problems of mental health to chronic pain. Classifying the groups of conditions that can be treated helps in understanding the scope of the use of this technology better.
The group of conditions of the nervous system and the brain
The nervous system is an important part controlling the working of the body. When an abnormality arises, it greatly affects quality of life. The TMS brain stimulation device is therefore a good option in restoring the working of the nervous system.
Stroke, paresis, paralysis — patients with stroke usually have problems of movement, of speech, or of thinking and memory. TMS helps stimulate the damaged area of the brain to work better, and promotes the creation of new neural pathways to replace the damaged part.
Parkinson's Disease — the use of TMS helps improve tremor, the stiffness of the muscle, and problems of movement in patients with Parkinson's, by stimulating the area of the brain that controls movement.
Dementia and Alzheimer's — TMS can help improve memory and cognition in patients with dementia at an early stage, by stimulating the area of the brain involved in memory.
Migraine headache — the use of TMS helps reduce the frequency and the severity of migraine headache, by stimulating the area of the brain involved in the perception of pain.
The group of psychiatric conditions
Problems of mental health are seen more and more in present-day society, particularly among working people who have to meet high stress. The use of TMS in treating psychiatric conditions has shown satisfying results and is highly safe.
Depression, particularly in those resistant to medication — TMS has been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) of the United States for treating depression that does not respond to ordinary medication, helping rebalance the chemicals in the brain and improve mood.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder — the use of TMS helps reduce obsessive thinking and repetitive behaviour in patients with OCD, by stimulating the area of the brain involved in the control of behaviour.
Anxiety Disorder — TMS helps reduce the level of anxiety and helps the patient have a more stable mood.
The group of chronic pain conditions
Chronic pain is a problem that greatly affects quality of life, particularly among working people whose habits of using the body are unsuitable. The use of TMS is a new and effective option in managing chronic pain.
Office Syndrome — for working people with chronic pain from sitting and working for long periods, TMS can help improve the perception of pain and promote the body's process of recovery.
Neuropathic Pain — TMS helps reduce the transmission of pain signals from the nervous system, suited to those with pain from a nerve that is compressed or damaged.
Whom does treatment with TMS suit?
Considering the suitability of a patient for treatment with TMS is an important step that has to pass assessment by a specialist physician, to be sure that the patient will receive the greatest benefit and be safe in the treatment. Understanding the group of patients it suits helps the decision to receive the treatment be an informed one.
Those who suit treatment with TMS
Treatment with TMS suits several groups of patients, particularly those looking for an option of treatment that is effective and safe. The groups that will receive the greatest benefit from this treatment include:
- Patients with depression resistant to medication — those who have not responded to antidepressants over 1 course or more
- Those with problems of the nervous system — patients affected by an accident or a condition of the nervous system
- Working people with office syndrome — those with chronic pain together with depression or anxiety
- Those who want to avoid the side effects of medication — those who cannot bear the side effects of antidepressants
Who does not suit treatment with TMS?
Although TMS is a safe treatment, there are important contraindications and points to be careful of. Those who should not receive treatment with TMS include:
- Those with metal in the head — a metal plate, an aneurysm clip, or other metal parts in the area of the head
- Those with a pacemaker — a Pacemaker or other cardiac stimulation devices
- Those with a medical device implanted in the body — such as a deep brain stimulator or an implanted dialysis device
- Those with a history of epilepsy — the risk must be assessed carefully
- Pregnant women — there is not yet enough safety data for the baby in the womb
- Those with a severe psychiatric condition — such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder in an acute phase
The advantages of treatment with TMS compared with other methods
The TMS magnetic stimulation device has several points that stand out and make it different from traditional methods of treatment. Comparing these advantages helps the patient and the family decide on receiving treatment in an informed way, particularly for those looking for an option of treatment that is highly safe and has few side effects.
It is a treatment that needs no surgery and no general anaesthetic
Treatment with TMS is a procedure that needs no surgery and no anaesthetic. The patient is conscious throughout the treatment and can communicate with the doctor at all times. There is no surgical wound or scar, and no risk from a general anaesthetic. The patient can drive home themselves immediately after the treatment.
The side effects are few and not severe
Compared with antidepressants or other methods of treatment, TMS has very few side effects. The side effect met most often is a slight headache after the treatment, which usually goes away by itself within a few hours. There is no effect on memory, weight, or sexual capacity as there is with certain medicines.
It can be done together with other treatments
Treatment with TMS can be used together with other methods of treatment, such as psychological counselling, physiotherapy, or medication at a reduced dose, which makes it part of a holistic plan of treatment that can be adjusted to suit the needs of each individual patient, particularly for those with problems on several sides at once, such as office syndrome together with depression.
Summary of the article
TMS, or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, is a medical innovation using the TMS brain stimulation device and TMS magnetic stimulation to treat problems of mental health and of the nervous system effectively. With the TMS magnetic stimulation device being highly safe and having few side effects, it is an option of interest for those wanting to treat depression, conditions of the nervous system, and chronic pain, particularly working people with the problem of office syndrome who want a method of treatment that does not disturb daily life.
Choosing to receive treatment with TMS should be discussed with a specialist physician from PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic, in order to assess its suitability and plan treatment suited to the condition of each individual patient, so that the best result and the greatest safety are obtained. For further information you can contact us at
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