How NeuroStar
TMS Works
Focused magnetic pulses — the same strength as an MRI — precisely target the underactive areas of the brain responsible for depression. No drugs. No surgery. No downtime.
The Science Behind TMS
Targeting the Brain at the Source of Depression
Depression is linked to underactivity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex — the region that regulates mood, motivation, and emotional processing. NeuroStar TMS delivers precisely calibrated magnetic pulses directly to this area, stimulating dormant nerve cells and encouraging new communication pathways.
MRI-Strength Magnetic Pulses
The magnetic field strength used in TMS is similar to an MRI machine — well-established in medicine and non-harmful to brain tissue.
Pinpoint Targeting of the Prefrontal Cortex
Unlike medication that circulates through the entire body, TMS focuses only on the specific brain region linked to your depression.
Neuroplasticity: Retraining the Brain
Repeated stimulation encourages the brain’s ability to rewire itself and sustain improved mood regulation long after treatment ends.
Treatment Session Walkthrough
What Happens in a TMS Session
Every session is straightforward, comfortable, and performed in our Boca Raton office. Here is exactly what to expect.
You arrive and settle into the treatment chair. No preparation needed — no fasting, no medication adjustments. On your first session, your physician maps your precise location and intensity settings (motor threshold mapping) so every pulse hits its target.
- No anesthesia required
- No fasting or prep
- Personalized mapping on Day 1
A curved magnetic coil is positioned on your scalp near the prefrontal cortex. The device delivers repetitive magnetic pulses in short bursts. You hear a clicking sound and feel a tapping sensation — like a woodpecker pattern — as treatment is administered.
- Fully awake throughout
- 19–37 minutes per session
- Read, relax, or listen to music
- Tapping sensation decreases after week 1
The session ends and you are done — immediately. No recovery room, no waiting, no grogginess. You can drive yourself home, return to work, run errands, or exercise right away. Zero residual effects, every single session.
- Drive yourself home immediately
- Return to full normal activity
- No cognitive impairment
- Zero downtime, every session
What Sets NeuroStar Apart
The NeuroStar Difference
Not all TMS systems are the same. NeuroStar is the most prescribed TMS system in the U.S. because of the technology built into every treatment.
Contact Sensing Technology
NeuroStar’s patented Contact Sensing continuously monitors coil-to-scalp contact throughout every session. If the coil shifts even slightly, the system auto-adjusts. Every pulse is delivered at the prescribed intensity — no guesswork, no under-dosing.
Precision Dosing, Every Session
Your personal motor threshold is measured and locked in at your first appointment. No two patients receive the same protocol — treatment is calibrated specifically to your brain and your prescribed dose.
The #1 Physician-Recommended TMS
NeuroStar is the most recommended TMS system among U.S. psychiatrists — backed by the largest body of clinical evidence and over 4.8 million treatments in real-world clinical settings.
Full Treatment Course
What a Complete Course of TMS Looks Like
NeuroStar TMS is a commitment — and it pays off. Here is the full timeline and what you can expect each week.
Adjustment & Calibration
Your brain is adapting to treatment. The tapping sensation may feel more acute at first — it typically diminishes by end of Week 1. Some patients notice subtle shifts in energy or mood. Most do not feel dramatic changes yet.
Early Improvement
Many patients begin noticing meaningful changes. Sleep quality often improves first, followed by increased motivation and a subtle lifting of emotional heaviness. The brain is building new neural connections and results start becoming noticeable.
Deepening Results
The cumulative effect deepens. Patients report meaningful reductions in depression, improved emotional regulation, better concentration, and a return of interest in activities they had disengaged from. Completing the full course builds the strongest foundation for lasting relief.
Sustained Relief
Clinical studies show benefits of NeuroStar TMS can be durable over 12 months or longer. Your physician will discuss follow-up protocols and whether maintenance sessions may be appropriate.
Setting the Record Straight
What TMS Is Not
There is a lot of confusion about what TMS therapy involves. Here is what NeuroStar TMS is definitively not.
Not ECT
TMS is not electroconvulsive therapy. ECT uses electrical current and requires general anesthesia. NeuroStar TMS uses magnetic pulses, requires no anesthesia, does not intentionally cause seizures, and has no negative effects on memory. Completely different treatments.
Not a Drug
NeuroStar TMS does not introduce any substance into your body. No chemicals, no systemic side effects, no drug interactions, no dependency. Ideal for patients who have experienced intolerable side effects from antidepressant medications.
Not Invasive
No surgery, no incision, no implant, no needle. The coil simply rests against the outside of your scalp. The magnetic field passes through your skull harmlessly. Nothing is placed inside your body — entirely external treatment.
Clinical Evidence
The Numbers Behind NeuroStar TMS
Outcomes from one of the largest real-world observational studies of TMS therapy ever conducted — data from actual patients in actual clinical practices.
*Results may vary. Based on published clinical outcomes data. Patients’ results may vary.
Patient Experience
In Their Own Words
After NeuroStar treatment, I don’t take life for granted. Every day I live to the fullest and I love to laugh. I began to feel better than I have in years.
Lisa · Tried 4+ different antidepressants prior to TMS therapy
Ready to Experience TMS?
If medication hasn’t brought you the relief you need, NeuroStar TMS at New Sunrise Mental Health in Boca Raton may be the answer. Call us or request a consultation — we verify your insurance before your first appointment.
561-944-0077950 Peninsula Corporate Circle, Suite 1011, Boca Raton, FL 33487
Monday–Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM