Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive brain therapy that treats chronic pain, depression, and neurological conditions by modulating neural circuits — without systemic medications or side effects.
What Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)?
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive brain stimulation therapy that uses focused magnetic pulses to modulate neural activity in targeted brain regions. Unlike medications, TMS works directly on the neural circuits involved in pain processing, mood regulation, and cognitive function — without systemic side effects or drug interactions.
TMS has robust evidence for treatment-resistant depression and is increasingly used for chronic pain conditions, post-traumatic stress, and neurological rehabilitation. At Mind and Body Pain Clinic in San Jose, TMS therapy is integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan designed to address the central nervous system dysfunction underlying many chronic pain and neurological conditions.
How TMS Works for Chronic Pain
Pain is not purely a peripheral phenomenon — it involves complex processing in the brain and spinal cord. In conditions like fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, and TBI-related pain, the brain's pain-processing circuits become dysregulated, amplifying signals and maintaining a pain state even when the original tissue injury has resolved.
TMS targets specific cortical areas — particularly the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and motor cortex — to normalize dysregulated activity. By delivering precisely calibrated magnetic pulses, TMS can interrupt abnormal pain signaling patterns and restore more balanced neural function over a course of treatment. Research has shown meaningful improvements in patients with fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, post-TBI pain, and headache disorders.
What TMS Treatment Looks Like at Our San Jose Clinic
A standard TMS course involves 20–30 outpatient sessions, typically 20–40 minutes each, conducted over four to six weeks. Patients remain fully awake throughout and can drive themselves home. There are no systemic side effects comparable to those seen with pain medications or antidepressants.
Before initiating TMS, Dr. Singh conducts a comprehensive neurological evaluation to confirm candidacy and identify optimal stimulation parameters for your individual case. This personalized approach — grounded in board-certified expertise in both Neurology and Pain Management — distinguishes TMS treatment at Mind and Body Pain Clinic from settings where TMS is offered without deep neurological oversight.
Is TMS Right for You?
TMS may be appropriate if you are experiencing chronic pain that has not responded to medications or physical therapy, depression that has not responded to antidepressant trials, TBI-related symptoms including pain or cognitive difficulties, or neurological conditions that may benefit from cortical modulation.
To determine candidacy, schedule a consultation at Mind and Body Pain Clinic's San Jose office at 6010 Hellyer Avenue, Suite 150. Call +1-408-356-5900 or request an appointment online.