Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - Kanata
TMS Life is the first and foremost specialized mental health clinic delivering TMS to the Kanata Region. We are located less than a 30 minute drive from Kanata. Scheduling for treatment sessions takes into consideration commuting to our clinic from Kanata to make this treatment process as easy as possible for you.
TMS Life offers Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation services to individuals in the Kanata area who are exploring evidence-based options for treatment-resistant symptoms. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is approved by Health Canada and the FDA for major depressive disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. Research also supports its use, in clinical settings, for conditions such as PTSD, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and chronic pain, although these uses are considered off-label in Canada. Our team reviews the most up-to-date evidence with each client so treatment decisions are informed and transparent.
What TMS Does and How it Works
The brain can adapt its activity patterns over time, a property known as neuroplasticity. TMS engages this capacity by delivering electromagnetic pulses to target brain regions. These pulses modulate activity in networks involved in mood, anxiety, and cognitive control. When applied repeatedly, the stimulation supports more functional patterns of neural communication. This mechanism is why TMS has shown therapeutic benefit for patients with treatment resistant depression and OCD, and why it is being studied across several additional conditions.
The Salience Network
The salience network is a system of interconnected brain regions responsible for identifying relevant emotional or environmental cues and directing attention accordingly. Disruptions in this network appear in several psychiatric conditions, including depression, OCD, anxiety disorders, and PTSD. TMS protocols that target areas connected to this network can help strengthen responsiveness within these circuits, which may support improvements in emotional processing and regulation that in turn lead to improvement in thought clarity, mood regulation, relaxation and independence.
Deep TMS
At TMS Life, we use BrainsWay Deep TMS technology. The H-coil design allows stimulation to reach deeper brain structures than traditional figure-eight coils. This configuration broadens the range of networks that can be reached during treatment. Deep TMS is Health Canada–approved for depression and OCD and has been evaluated in multiple clinical studies for additional mental health and neurological conditions.
What Kanata Residents can Expect Before and During TMS Therapy Sessions
Prior to starting treatment, there are many opportunities to have any of your concerns and questions answered. For most this includes education about the treatment, pricing, common side effects and treatment outcomes.
During the TMS sessions themselves, our experienced TMS technician will guide you through each step and answer any questions that you may have. During treatment, you can expect the following:
- Removal of jewelry or other metal items near the head or neck
- Placement of earplugs to reduce machine noise
- Careful fitting and adjustment of the TMS device
- A light tapping sensation on the scalp during stimulation
- Audible pulsing that is similar in character to MRI sounds
Post-TMS Session: What to Expect
TMS is safe, non-invasive and does not require anesthesia or recovery time. Clients can drive themselves to and from sessions and resume their usual activities immediately afterward. TMS is very well tolerated by most individuals. Mild headache or fatigue may occur during the early stages of treatment and often lessen as sessions continue. We have treated clients from age 16 to 76 without any serious adverse effects in our clinic. In addition, no clients have discontinued treatments due to side effects.
If you’re in Kanata and searching for an evidence-based treatment that works differently than medications or psychotherapy then you are in the right place. Most of our clients feel that they have tried everything and nothing has helped despite their best efforts. The majority of these clients leave our clinic with a clinically significant improvement in their symptoms or treatment remission. We take the time to understand what you’ve already tried, what you’re still struggling with, and to help you figure out if TMS therapy near Kanata is the right next step.
