Story by Brittney Byrne, Photos by Jim Peterson
According to Dr. Kent at Treasure Valley TMS, 15% – 16% of the population is battling depression. Traditional remedies such as medication and therapy are one course of treatment, but what if a patient is resistant to these treatments?
If you are living with depression and looking for an alternative course of treatment, Dr. Kent and his team may be your answer. Dr. Kent has been practicing adult psychiatry since receiving his degree in Iowa City at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Since moving to Boise in 1990, Dr. Kent has been associated with Intermountain Hospital of Boise, St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center, Southwest Idaho Advanced Care Hospital, and Safe Haven (formerly known as Sun Health Hospital of Boise).
In May of 1994, Dr. Kent cofounded Sage Healthcare, a mental health clinic that is home to psychiatrists, therapists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and Dr. Kent’s practice. At Treasure Valley TMS, they are using a groundbreaking treatment called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulations. TMS is a non-invasive treatment that has been shown to improve the symptoms of depression even when a patient has found no relief from antidepressants or other methods of treatment.
Dr. Kent and his team are using a helmet technology from a company called Brainsway. The helmet contains electromagnetic coils and is placed on your head. The machine emits a painless pulse of magnetic energy and stimulates the area of the brain associated with depression. TMS was discovered in the 1980s and many doctors around the world have been using the technology to help their patients.
This noninvasive, FDA-approved treatment is administered each day for just 15-20 minutes for up to four weeks. The results are astounding with one in every two patients seeing a significant decrease in symptoms and one in every three patients finding themselves in complete remission.
Dr. Kent currently has one machine in his office and another on the way. He said his plan is to have a whole building full of these machines. Also, Dr. Kent said once this treatment works for a patient, it will work again, which means if symptoms start to return at any time a client can come back in for a refresher and will see the same results once again. Patients are seeing these incredible results without the side effects that often come along with traditional methods such as medications.
Patients can resume normal activity immediately after treatments, allowing them to drive to and from the appointments, and even come in on lunch breaks. One would think something so cutting edge would come with a high price tag, but Dr. Kent has kept his pricing competitive. He is accepting most insurances and even Medicare. Patients who have been waiting years to try a treatment of this kind are finally able to reap the benefits.
Treasure Valley TMS is treating depression differently. The best way to know if this treatment is right for you is to head to the Treasure Valley TMS website, TVTMS.com, and take the self assessment test. After just a few questions, you will be given an immediate answer if you are a TMS candidate.
DR. DAVID KENT
Treasure Valley TMS
413 N. Allumbaugh Suite 101, Boise ID
208.954.5591
On Facebook at facebook.com/tvtms
