Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

A non-invasive option for treatment-resistant depression. 

Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is an advanced, non-invasive therapy that uses magnetic pulses to treat major depressive disorder.

About one in five people will experience a major depressive episode at some point in their lives. While many patients respond to medication, others struggle to find relief. TMS offers a different and highly effective way of treating major depression, especially in patients whose symptoms haven’t improved despite trying multiple antidepressants. 

UToledo Health offers TMS therapy to patients 18 and older.

Find out whether TMS is right for you.

Call UToledo Health at 419.383.5695 and select option 2. Our team will guide you through any needed referrals or insurance authorization.

How TMS Works

TMS uses targeted pulses of magnetic energy to stimulate electrical activity in the brain. Over time, this stimulation supports changes in brain activity that help regulate mood and reduce depressive symptoms. 

The FDA-approved treatment:

• is provided on an outpatient basis
• does not require sedation or other special preparations
• is generally well tolerated with few side effects
• requires no downtime after treatment

Patients typically receive 30 treatment sessions over six weeks, with each session lasting 15 to 45 minutes.

What to Expect

At UToledo Health, your care will be overseen by experienced, board-certified psychiatrists. Our team takes a collaborative approach, coordinating your TMS treatment with your broader mental health care plan to provide personalized care tailored to you.

TMS therapy is covered by most major insurers, including Medicare, but is
typically approved only after a patient has not adequately responded to other treatments, such as medication and psychotherapy. 

Prior to treatment, our team maps the patient’s brain to determine the precise treatment target and the appropriate strength of the magnetic pulses.

During treatment sessions, patients recline in a padded chair while magnetic pulses are applied to the left side of the head. Patients typically feel a tapping sensation on their scalp. Some may experience headache or nausea, but significant side effects are rare.

Referrals are required and patients must have prior insurance authorization before treatment.