rTMS

When depression keeps hanging on, there’s a proven next step.

If medication and talk therapy haven’t brought the relief you hoped for, you’re not out of options. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment that uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate brain areas involved in mood regulation. It’s FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder, well-tolerated for most people, and often covered by insurance when medical criteria are met.

At BrainCare Performance Center Carlsbad, we start with qEEG brain mapping and EKG to understand how your brain is communicating. Then we deliver an rTMS plan aimed at restoring healthier activity patterns, so you can think clearer, feel steadier, and get back to being yourself.

What is rTMS, and how does it work to relieve depression symptoms?

rTMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain involved in mood regulation.

We place a coil near the head to generate brief magnetic pulses, which feel like gentle taps. These pulses pass through the skull and stimulate brain cells in areas thought to be involved in mood regulation (often the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex).

The stimulation increases the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which can improve mood and relieve depression.

By stimulating nerve cells, rTMS promotes neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to change and adapt to new experiences.

At BrainCare Carlsbad, we personalize your treatment with EEG-guided rTMS, tailoring it to your brain's exact neurological condition. This helps us monitor your response, making the rTMS treatment even more effective.

What conditions do you treat with rTMS?

At BrainCare Performance Center Carlsbad, we recommend rTMS to treat:

• Depression
• Major depressive disorder (MDD)
• Treatment-resistant depression (MDD that doesn't respond to antidepressants)
• Adolescent depression
• Postpartum depression
• Persistent depression with anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with depression

What are some benefits of rTMS treatment?

rTMS has many benefits, particularly when compared to other depression treatments like medications. These include:

• rTMS treatment is medication- and anesthesia-free and performed on an outpatient basis.
• The treatment has no or few side effects. Any side effects are usually mild (like a headache or scalp discomfort) and can be relieved by taking painkillers or adjusting the stimulation parameters.
• rTMS works when medications don't. 70-80% of patients experience relief after treatment, compared to 27.5% after the first-line medication, down to 6.9% with the fourth-line medication.
• The results from this treatment are lasting. 50% of patients completing rTMS achieve a total remission of their depression. The results last at least two years in 90% of patients who improve with rTMS, while approximately 35% need an occasional maintenance session.
• We can deliver rTMS as a standalone treatment or with medications.
• Treatment for depression with rTMS is covered by most insurance.
• rTMS is FDA-approved for depression, and we follow all FDA-approved protocols.

Who is a good candidate for rTMS?

You may be a strong candidate if you:

• Have tried antidepressant medications and/or psychotherapy without enough relief
• Prefer a non-invasive, drug-free option
• Can attend frequent sessions over several weeks

Your clinician will review your history, current medications, and safety considerations to confirm that rTMS is appropriate.

What happens during rTMS care?

1. First visit: qEEG/EKG
   We perform a quantitative EEG (qEEG) to map your brainwaves and an EKG to assess heart–brain timing. (We do this for both rTMS and MeRT patients.)
2. Results & plan
   At your follow-up, we review your maps and outline your rTMS plan.
3. Two-week treatment blocks
   Sessions are typically scheduled five days a week for two weeks. We then repeat qEEG/EKG and check symptoms. If you’re improving, we continue in two-week intervals until you and your clinician are satisfied with progress.

What does an rTMS session feel like?

You’ll sit comfortably while the coil rests against your scalp. Most people feel a tapping sensation and hear clicking sounds during the brief pulses. There’s no anesthesia and no downtime; you can drive yourself and return to normal activities right away.

Are there side effects or risks?

rTMS is generally well-tolerated. The most common effects are temporary scalp discomfort or a mild headache, which usually lessen with time. Your clinician will review rare risks and answer all your questions before you begin.

How soon may I notice changes?

Everyone’s timeline is different. Some people first notice improvements in sleep, energy, or mental clarity, followed by mood changes over the next few weeks. We track progress with brief questionnaires and repeat qEEG/EKG to guide next steps.

Is rTMS covered by insurance?

rTMS for depression is covered by many major insurance plans when medical criteria are met. Our team will verify your benefits and outline any out-of-pocket costs before you start. We also accept CareCredit for flexible financing, and you can use your HSA/FSA as well.

Can I combine rTMS with psychotherapy or medications?

Yes. Many patients continue working with their prescribing providers and benefit from psychotherapy during rTMS. In fact, we often combine rTMS with psychotherapy here at our clinic as it's proven to get even better results than either treatment alone. With your consent, we coordinate care to support durable, real-life gains.

How do I get started?

Call BrainCare Performance Center today, or request an appointment online, to talk with our New Patient Coordinator about rTMS depression treatment. You’re not alone. There is real hope, and we’re here to help you feel like yourself again.

📞 Contact Us today to speak with a member of our team.