Do NeuroStar TMS Treatments Hurt? 7 Important Things to Know
Do NeuroStar TMS treatments hurt? Learn what TMS feels like, possible discomfort and side effects, and what to expect during treatment.
TL;DR
- NeuroStar TMS does not require surgery or general anesthesia.
- During treatment, you may feel a tapping or pulsing sensation where the magnetic stimulation is delivered.
- Some patients experience pain or discomfort at or near the treatment site, particularly during the early part of treatment.
- NeuroStar identifies temporary treatment-site pain or discomfort as its most common side effect. (neurostar.com)
- Other reported side effects include headache, facial pain, toothache, muscle twitching, and pain of the skin. (neurostar.com)
- A rare risk of seizure is associated with TMS therapy; NeuroStar reports this risk as less than 0.1% per patient. (neurostar.com)
- Your treatment team can adjust treatment parameters when appropriate to help manage discomfort.
- The best way to understand whether NeuroStar TMS is appropriate for you is through a consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.
Table of Contents
What Does NeuroStar TMS Feel Like?
The sensation of TMS is different from taking medication or receiving a traditional injection. During a NeuroStar session, a treatment device is positioned against your scalp. Magnetic pulses are then delivered to a targeted area of the brain.
You may notice a repetitive tapping or clicking sensation as the magnetic pulses are delivered. Some people describe the feeling as strange at first.
Others notice pressure, tapping, warmth, tingling, or discomfort around the treatment area. The sensation isn’t necessarily the same for everyone, and it can change as you become accustomed to the treatment.
NeuroStar specifically describes the most common side effect as temporary pain or discomfort at or near the treatment site. That’s why the first few sessions can be useful for understanding how your individual body responds.
Does TMS Hurt During the Session?
It can. For some patients, the stimulation feels mildly uncomfortable. Others may experience more noticeable discomfort, especially near the beginning of treatment.
NeuroStar describes mild to moderate pain or discomfort at or near the treatment site as the most common side effect. The company states that these effects typically occur during the treatment course and generally do not continue for most patients after the first week.
The important point is that discomfort is not the same experience as severe or persistent pain. If you’re uncomfortable during treatment, tell the treatment team.
Your clinician can determine whether adjustments to the treatment settings or other measures may help make the session more tolerable.
You should never feel that you have to silently endure significant discomfort simply because you’re receiving a medical treatment.
Why Can TMS Cause Discomfort?
The magnetic stimulation itself is what creates the characteristic tapping or pulsing sensation.
The treatment coil sits close to the scalp, and the magnetic pulses stimulate the targeted brain region beneath it.
Because the stimulation is delivered repeatedly during a session, the surrounding muscles, scalp, or nearby structures may contribute to the sensations some patients experience.
This is also why the experience can feel different depending on where the treatment is targeted and how your individual body responds.
TMS doesn’t involve cutting into the skin or inserting anything into the brain. It is a noninvasive form of brain stimulation.
Still, noninvasive doesn’t mean sensation-free. That’s an important distinction for anyone preparing for treatment.
How Long Does TMS Discomfort Last?
For NeuroStar, treatment-site pain or discomfort is generally temporary. NeuroStar reports that these symptoms occur during the treatment course and do not occur for most patients after the first week. That doesn’t mean every patient will experience exactly the same timeline.
Some people may have little discomfort from the beginning. Others may need more time to adjust to the sensation. Your treatment team can monitor how you’re responding throughout the course.
If discomfort becomes significant, persistent, or concerning, tell your provider rather than assuming it’s something you simply have to tolerate.
What Other Side Effects Can Occur?
Pain or discomfort near the treatment site is the most common reported side effect of NeuroStar TMS.
Other reported side effects include:
- Headache or facial pain
- Toothache
- Muscle twitching
- Pain of the skin
- Pain around the eye
These side effects are not experienced by everyone, and their severity can vary. NeuroStar reports that fewer than 5% of people discontinued treatment because of adverse events in clinical trials.
Your provider should review the potential side effects with you before treatment begins so you understand what to expect and what should be reported.
Is NeuroStar TMS Safe?
NeuroStar TMS has established FDA-cleared indications, but like any medical treatment, it carries potential risks. The most important distinction is that TMS is noninvasive, but it isn’t risk-free.
NeuroStar reports a rare risk of seizure associated with TMS therapy, occurring in fewer than 0.1% of patients.
The system also should not be used in patients with certain non-removable conductive metal or stimulator implants in or near the head. Examples listed by NeuroStar include certain deep brain stimulators, cochlear implants, and vagus nerve stimulators.
This is why a proper screening process matters.
Your provider should know about relevant implants, medical devices, neurological conditions, medications, and other aspects of your medical history before treatment begins.
For current device indications and regulatory information, the FDA maintains its medical device database for NeuroStar TMS systems.
Who May Not Be a Candidate for NeuroStar TMS?
TMS isn’t appropriate for everyone. Eligibility depends on both the reason for treatment and individual safety considerations.
For adult major depressive disorder, NeuroStar’s current indication applies to patients who have failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from previous antidepressant medication treatment during the current episode. NeuroStar is also indicated as an adjunctive treatment for adult OCD and for adolescent MDD in patients ages 15–21.
Separate from the diagnosis, certain implants or metal near the head can make treatment inappropriate. A provider will review these factors during the consultation.
The original version of this article suggested that people with seizure disorders, head injuries, or other neurological conditions simply “should not” receive TMS. That’s too absolute.
A safer and more accurate approach is to say that relevant neurological history should be discussed with the treating clinician so that individual risks can be assessed.
What Happens During a NeuroStar TMS Session?
Knowing what happens can make the first appointment feel much less intimidating. You remain awake throughout the session.
The treatment device is positioned against your scalp, and the clinician delivers magnetic pulses according to your prescribed treatment protocol.
You may hear clicking sounds and feel repeated tapping or pulsing sensations. There is no surgical incision. There is no need for general anesthesia.
And because TMS is performed as an outpatient treatment, patients generally remain awake and can leave after the session according to their provider’s instructions.
NeuroStar states that individual treatment sessions can range from approximately 19 to 40 minutes depending on the protocol. Your actual treatment schedule will depend on the protocol prescribed for you.
What If I’m Nervous About TMS Pain?
That concern is worth mentioning during your consultation. You don’t have to pretend you’re comfortable with something you’re not.
Tell your treatment team that you’re worried about pain or discomfort. Ask what the first session will feel like, what sensations are considered normal, and what you should do if the stimulation becomes uncomfortable.
You can also ask:
- How is the treatment intensity determined?
- What should I expect during my first session?
- What happens if the treatment feels uncomfortable?
- How will you monitor my response?
- What side effects should I report?
- How long is each appointment expected to take?
Good healthcare involves communication in both directions. The goal isn’t simply to complete a treatment session. It’s to make sure you understand what is happening and feel comfortable raising concerns throughout the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
It can cause temporary discomfort for some patients. NeuroStar identifies pain or discomfort at or near the treatment site as its most common side effect. For many patients who experience it, the discomfort does not persist after the first week.
Patients may feel tapping, pulsing, pressure, warmth, or tingling near the treatment site. Some people experience discomfort while others find the sensation relatively easy to tolerate.
No. NeuroStar TMS is a noninvasive treatment performed while the patient remains awake. It does not require general anesthesia.
The duration depends on the treatment protocol. NeuroStar states that individual sessions can range from approximately 19 to 40 minutes.
Some patients experience more discomfort early in treatment. NeuroStar reports that treatment-site pain or discomfort generally occurs during the treatment course and does not persist for most patients after the first week.
Your treatment team can assess your symptoms and determine whether adjustments to the treatment protocol are appropriate. Tell your provider if the stimulation is uncomfortable rather than trying to tolerate significant pain without saying anything.
No. TMS is noninvasive, but it still has potential risks. NeuroStar reports a rare seizure risk of less than 0.1% per patient and specific restrictions related to certain metal or implanted devices near the head.
Final Thoughts
So, do NeuroStar TMS treatments hurt?
For some people, yes, there can be temporary discomfort. For others, the sensation is more unusual than painful. What you experience can depend on your individual response to the treatment and the protocol being used.
The encouraging part is that discomfort is generally temporary for patients who experience it, and your treatment team can monitor your response throughout the process.
If you’re considering NeuroStar TMS for depression or another eligible condition, you shouldn’t have to make the decision based on fear or assumptions.