TMS for PTSD in
Greeley, CO

Mindset TMS in Greeley offers an innovative TMS therapy for patients suffering from PTSD. This non-invasive treatment uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain areas that regulate emotions and fear responses. TMS has shown promise for reducing symptoms like flashbacks and nightmares without medication and invasive surgery. Our board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Nicholle Peralta, is highly proficient in this therapy and has helped thousands of patients with PTSD improve their health and wellness. TMS offers an effective and comfortable solution for people suffering from this complex disorder.
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Table of contents
01
What Is TMS Therapy
for PTSD?
02

Types of TMS
03

Consultation & Preparation
for PTSD
04
TMS Procedure
05
Recovery After TMS
06

Candidates for Our
PTSD
07

Benefits of PTSD
08
Cost of TMS in Greeley, CO
09
What Makes Our Mental Health Services Different From Others?

What Is TMS Therapy for PTSD?

What Is TMS Therapy for PTSD Banner

TMS, which stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation, is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of PTSD. During this therapy, a large electromagnetic coil is placed against the scalp near the forehead, and rapid pulses are transmitted from the coil to a targeted part of the brain. A TMS session can last 3-40 minutes and does not require anesthesia or sedation since it is not painful. The entire treatment course for PTSD involves 20-30 visits over 4-6 weeks.

PTSD Symptoms Treated With TMS:
  • Flashbacks
  • Nightmares
  • Hypervigilance
  • Irritability
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Emotional numbing
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Types of TMS

Single-pulse TMS
Involves delivering one magnetic pulse to stimulate a small population of neurons in the brain. It is usually used to diagnose neurological conditions and research corticospinal excitability. While single-pulse TMS is not involved in PTSD treatment, this technique can help to analyze neural activity in some patients.
Involves delivering a chain of magnetic pulses to modulate neurons in specific brain regions. It is used as a therapy at various frequencies to excite or inhibit neural activity. This technique is effective at treating certain mental health disorders, including PTSD.
Is a patterned form of rTMS that applies bursts of high-frequency magnetic stimulation. TBS sessions typically require less time than conventional rTMS. This technique aims to mimic theta waves seen naturally in the brain. The main benefit of TBS is that patients can receive treatment in just 3-5 minutes.

Involves using a different type of magnetic coil to allow deeper penetration and stimulation of neural structures. It has been used to target deeper brain regions that may not be accessible by standard TMS coils. Deep TMS is an effective treatment for various mental health issues, such as major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and is also utilized for PTSD, anxiety, and smoking cessation

Consultation & Preparation for PTSD Treatment Banner

Consultation &
Preparation for PTSD

A thorough pre-treatment consultation is critical for preparing the patient for TMS therapy. During this meeting, Dr. Peralta carefully studies their medical history, conducts a psychiatric evaluation, and utilizes PTSD Clinical Rating Scales to assess the severity of PTSD. Contraindications like metal implants are ruled out during the initial consultation.

If the patient is cleared for TMS, Dr. Peralta explains how the therapy works, the sensations that may be experienced during treatment, and the importance of adhering to the treatment protocol for managing PTSD. Daily sessions are scheduled Monday through Friday (3-40 minutes) over 4-6 weeks. With an understanding of the time commitment and what the experience entails, patients are more likely to follow the protocol correctly. Careful preparation and education allows patients to become active partners in their TMS treatment.

TMS Procedure Banner

Mapping the Scalp

Dr. Peralta will first map the patient's scalp utilizing a series of measurements to locate the treatment site. The process starts with the location of the primary motor cortex - a strip that runs from one ear to another across the top of the head.The doctor uses TMS pulses to find the motor hot spot, which is an area that controls the movement of the right-hand fingers. Single pulses are then utilized to stimulate the motor hot spot and determine the correct intensity of magnetic pulses for treatment
1

Treatment Sessions

At the beginning of each session, a coil is placed against the mapped treatment location on the scalp. A series of magnetic pulses pass painlessly through the skull to stimulate the underlying brain tissues. Patients typically undergo 20-30 sessions. Each treatment lasts 20-40 minutes (for TMS) or 3-5 minutes (if utilizing TBS).
2

Maintenance sessions

After the initial treatment course is complete, patients may return for periodic maintenance or preservation therapy sessions to preserve improvements in PTSD symptoms. The frequency of these additional visits varies for each person.
3

TMS Procedure

TMS does not require anesthesia or sedation as the procedure is typically causes minimal discomfort.  Patients remain awake and alert during the entire procedure.

Recovery After TMS Banner

Recovery After TMS

TMS has shown promise as an effective mental health treatment for PTSD. The beneficial effects of this therapy may accumulate over time, with improvements continuing for weeks or months after the last session.

The recovery process following TMS varies for each patient based on the severity of their baseline symptoms. Many people experience gradual relief from PTSD symptoms, such as decreased frequency and intensity of flashbacks, nightmares, and anxious thoughts. They report feeling more relaxed, sleeping better, and having an easier time working and engaging in social activities. Some patients may experience rapid remission, where their symptoms disappear after only a handful of TMS sessions. Others may only see a minimal response.

Patients might benefit from seeking complementary treatments to address all of their mental health needs. For example, ongoing trauma therapy can help them process negative memories that may resurface from time to time. Such additional treatment might also ensure that positive changes in mood and cognition are integrated into daily life. Combining TMS with cognitive behavioral therapy may further improve health outcomes. Patients may undergo both personal and group therapy.

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Candidates for Our PTSD

TMS is an emerging treatment that has shown impressive results in clinical studies and our practical experience. It can benefit a wide range of people who are suffering from PTSD symptoms. Potential candidates for TMS include:

  • Patients who have not responded to standard PTSD treatments, such as psychotherapy and medication
  • Patients who cannot tolerate the side effects of standard PTSD medication
  • Patients with comorbid conditions (such as depression or anxiety) that limit their ability to engage in psychotherapy
  • Patients who want to avoid residential treatment
  • Patients who can comply with the frequent treatment schedule

Factors such as PTSD severity, traumatic brain injury status, and duration of symptoms may also impact candidacy. While it is being researched for other conditions, it is not routinely utilized for other mental health conditions.  Therefore, we carefully screen comorbid conditions to rule out risk factors and determine if TMS is an appropriate treatment for each individual. 

Contraindications Banner

Contraindications

  • Certain implanted devices or metals, such as cochlear implants, aneurysm clips or coils, stents, and bullet fragments or shrapnel near the head that could negatively interact with the magnetic pulses
  • Significant neurological conditions, like increased intracranial pressure, brain tumors, or cerebral fluid buildup
  • Inability to tolerate the TMS procedure due to conditions causing severe pain or discomfort when placing the TMS coil close to the head
Additionally, the patient should be able to hold still during the daily treatments. People with cognitive, psychiatric, or medical conditions that make them unable to tolerate the TMS sessions may not be eligible.

Benefits of PTSD

Reduced Symptoms
Reduced Symptoms
TMS reduces symptoms of PTSD, such as flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance. This treatment stimulates areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. By improving the control of fear responses and emotional reactions, TMS can make PTSD symptoms more manageable and even improve physical health through better sleep and reduced stress.
Improved Sleep
Improved Sleep
Many individuals with PTSD struggle with insomnia and frequent nightmares caused by a traumatic event, which further exacerbate symptoms. TMS treatment targeting memory centers of the brain can reduce trauma-related nightmares and improve overall sleep quality. Getting better restorative sleep makes patients feel refreshed and able to cope with their mental illness and other challenges.
Enhanced Cognitive Function
Enhanced Cognitive Function
In addition to flashbacks, many people experience cognitive difficulties such as impaired concentration, memory issues, and trouble with problem-solving. By stimulating critical neural networks, TMS improves connectivity in brain regions involved in thinking and other higher functions. With better cognition, patients feel that everyday tasks require less mental effort, and their coping skills become much stronger.
No Medication Side Effects
No Medication Side Effects

Medications for PTSD, such as antidepressants or sleep aids, often come with troublesome side effects. Therefore, many patients want to avoid them. When combined with therapy, TMS can achieve good treatment outcomes without medication in many cases. This spares patients from weight gain or fatigue from psychiatric medications. In addition, TMS is a non-invasive, outpatient treatment.

Cost of TMS in Greeley, CO Banner

Cost of TMS near
Greeley, CO

The cost of TMS for PTSD near Greeley, CO, ranges from $200 to $500 per session. Expenses can vary depending on the required sessions (typically between 20 and 30), the type of TMS therapy, and health insurance coverage. Additional costs may include evaluations, follow up appointments, and diagnostic tests to determine if a patient is a candidate for TMS.

Mindset TMS offers various financing options for insured and uninsured people. After initial consultation and evaluation by Dr. Peralta, patients can receive an estimate of out of pocket costs prior to beginning the treatment process.

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What Makes Our TMS Depression Different Banner

What Makes Our Mental Health Treatment
Different From Others?

Mindset TMS uses an innovative, personalized approach to mental health care. Dr. Nicholle Peralta MD is a board-certified psychiatrist with over a decade of experience. With a compassionate team of dedicated technicians, Mindset TMS aims to empower patients to reclaim their happiness and quality of life without invasive surgery or other painful procedures. We use the latest technology to support every person on their path to recovery. 

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