What TMS Feels Like

You sit in a comfortable chair, like a dentist's chair but more reclined. A technician places a magnetic coil against your head, near the left side of your forehead. When the stimulation begins, you feel a tapping sensation on your scalp — not painful, but noticeable. Some people describe it as like a woodpecker tapping against your head.

Each pulse lasts a fraction of a second. The tapping comes in rapid bursts, then pauses, then repeats. A session typically runs about 20 to 40 minutes for standard TMS. You're awake, alert, and can talk, watch TV, or listen to music throughout.

• Tapping or knocking sensation on the scalp — the most common description
• Scalp discomfort or mild headache, especially in the first few sessions
• A twitching sensation in the face or jaw muscles near the coil
• A loud clicking sound from the coil — earplugs are provided

TMS is not ECT. There's no anesthesia, no seizure, no memory loss, no confusion afterward. You're fully conscious and can drive yourself home. It's not a shock — it's a magnetic pulse, similar in strength to an MRI scanner but focused on a much smaller area.

Most people feel completely normal immediately after a session. Scalp discomfort or mild headache, if it occurs, usually fades within an hour or two. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help if needed. Side effects typically decrease after the first few sessions as your body adjusts.

SAINT sessions use the same type of magnetic stimulation, but each session is shorter (about 10 minutes) and you have ten per day. The tapping sensation is the same. The main difference is the schedule, not the sensation.

Call (954) 827-9793 or schedule a consultation.