A conversation with Dr. Ankur Bindal of KMG Psychiatry pinpoints how this non-surgical, non-invasive procedure helps treat patients with noticeable improvements within a week.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) offers a beacon of hope and a new path forward for individuals struggling with depression, offering an effective therapeutic solution as an emerging transformative option.
Dr. Ankur Bindal at San Diego’s KMG Psychiatry explains that depression is a treatable mental health condition, but standard treatments don’t always work for everyone. TMS, specifically NeuroStar ®, offers a non-invasive alternative that stimulates brain cells linked to depression, anxiety and PTSD.
Brain stimulation can reawaken the connections in the brain, which can provide improvement in depressive episodes. The TMS procedure, in simple terms, uses magnetic fields to wake up sleepy nerve cells in the brain that are linked to depression and PTSD. TMS can start to improve symptoms of depression as soon as one week.
For those who have not found relief from medication or other treatments, TMS therapy offers a promising alternative, providing a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment option that can significantly improve symptoms of depression without the side effects of traditional medications. This can bring a sense of relief and hope not just to the individual but also to their families.
Here’s what to know about TMS:
● During a TMS session, a patient sits in a comfortable chair and remains fully awake as the physician lightly places a small, curved magnetic coil on their head. NeuroStar delivers targeted magnetic energy to stimulate underactive cells in your brain as the individual relaxes.
● While a light-clicking sound throughout the procedure may be heard, TMS is never painful or uncomfortable. On average, the procedure takes between 18 and 37 minutes, though times may vary depending on an individualized treatment plan.
● Most NeuroStar TMS treatments are administered five days a week for approximately five to seven weeks.
● Compared to alternative depression, anxiety and PTSD treatments, TMS has very few side effects.
● Unlike vagus nerve or deep brain stimulation, TMS doesn’t require surgery or an implant. It also doesn’t require anesthesia or cause serious side effects, such as seizures, like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
● In contrast to antidepressants, which take about six weeks to start working, many patients report feeling that their mood improved after just a few sessions.
● Unlike medication, patients don’t need to continue TMS after the initial five- to seven-week treatment. While some patients return for maintenance sessions, most people find relief from their symptoms for at least one year after their first treatment.
“By addressing and managing mental health needs, I can help provide hope to many people and families in our community,” says Dr. Bindal. “I believe that by working together, we can truly make a difference, and that difference is a healthy body and a healing mind.”
TMS is changing the treatment landscape. For more information, visit www.kmgpsychiatry.com.
Ankur Bindal, MD, MPH, FAPA, FAASM, is a board-certified psychiatrist and the CEO, founder, and president of KAB Medical Group Inc. in San Diego, Vista and Chula Vista, California. A highly trained physician, Dr. Bindal has more than 16 years of experience in medicine. In addition to holding board certification in psychiatry from the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, he is a board-certified sleep medicine practitioner and SAMHSA buprenorphine prescriber.
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The San Diego home remodeling company works on full homes, kitchens, bathrooms, home additions, ADUs, garages, landscapes, and hardscapes.
Most homeowners want two things before they commit to a remodel: a realistic sense of cost and a clear picture of what the finished space will look like. Milan Design + Build helps deliver both through its online remodeling estimator and personalized design consultations, supported by a showroom experience and 3D renderings.
“The online estimate gives homeowners a starting number in about a minute, and the showroom and 3D renderings let them see materials and layouts before anything is built,” says David Noriani, CEO of Milan Design + Build. “Keeping design, permits, and construction with one team helps us manage expectations and keep everyone working toward the same vision.”
Modern design is a particular focus for Milan, with an emphasis on clean lines, natural light, functional layouts, and carefully selected materials. The team adapts each design to the homeowner’s lifestyle and the character of the property. Milan Design + Build combines thoughtful design with construction expertise, creating spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful.
The online estimator covers kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, full-home remodels, and ADU construction. At Milan’s showroom on Carroll Road, visitors can review real materials, finishes, and design options, meet the design-build team, and discuss project scope, budget, and timing. Consultations can also be held virtually for homeowners who prefer to start remotely.
At Milan Design + Build, one integrated team works on the entire project. Design and construction aren’t divided between separate firms. The process begins with a consultation and feasibility review, followed by design, space planning, and 3D renderings developed from detailed measurements and digital scans. The team also coordinates architectural plans, structural engineering, city approvals, and material selection, with construction overseen by a dedicated project manager.
Homeowners can explore their remodeling options, get an initial estimate, or request a design consultation at MilanBuild.com.
Clinical trials and physician-initiated studies bring new, innovative treatments to patients sooner
At any given time, there are roughly 200 research investigations and clinical trials being conducted at Scripps Health in as many as 25 medical specialties. Research and patient care go hand-in-hand at Scripps. Those studies can be categorized as clinical trials of a medication or device that are conducted by Scripps physicians and studies designed by Scripps’ physicians and clinicians. Click here to learn about three exciting studies underway at Scripps and the benefits to patients.
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New MyScripps mobile app features give patients more options to connect with their provider
Scripps has recently unveiled new features in the MyScripps patient portal and mobile app to help patients connect with their primary care team and simplify the payment process. Among the recent updates is the addition of primary care E-visits for minor conditions. Patients who have an established primary care physician can schedule an E-visit, complete an online questionnaire and, if needed, send a photo. Their doctor can then advise and prescribe medication, when appropriate. Autopay is also now available through MyScripps. Patients can enable or disable autopay, allowing them to more easily manage payments. Learn more about MyScripps and how it helps patients stay connected here.
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A cancer diagnosis forced a Carlsbad woman to prioritize her health. Now she’s using her story to inspire others.
Farrah Adams had a persistent dull ache in her lower back that her massage therapist suggested might be caused by the way she sat or drove. That explanation seemed reasonable, but when coupled with heavy, painful periods led the then 46-year-old to seek answers. When she looks back on it now, she’s beyond grateful she trusted her gut. She made an appointment with a Scripps OB-GYN, who determined she had Stage 3 cervical cancer that had spread to several lymph nodes. Farrah was overwhelmed, but immediately found a “champion” in Scripps Clinic gynecologic oncologist Jo Marie Tran Janco, MD. After undergoing successful treatment at Scripps Cancer Center, Farrah is now using her story to inspire other women to make time for care. Read more of her story here.
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Oral oncolytics provide certain patients with effective treatment without IV medication
In the last several years, there’s been a surge in FDA approvals for what’s known as oral oncolytics. Oral oncolytics are targeted cancer therapies that come in tablet, capsule or liquid form that patients can take at home, rather than in an infusion clinic. Scripps physicians have seen exponential growth using this approach, with patients citing convenience as a major quality-of-life enhancement in their cancer treatment. This approach also allows treatments to be customized based on specific genetic mutations and a patient’s unique disease biology. Find out more about oral oncolytics here.
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Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
Unio Specialty Care is a multi-specialty practice specializing in urology, gastroenterology, and radiation oncology.
Unio’s Radiation Oncology team—Dr. Donald B. Fuller, Dr. Tahir Ijaz, Dr. Reza Shirazi, and Dr. Siavosh Vakilian—combines extensive clinical experience with a commitment to personalized cancer care. The RO team treats cancerous and non-cancerous conditions using precision therapies including SBRT, IGRT, and the CyberKnife® S7 System, the only system of its kind in Southern California. Their expertise spans prostate, breast, lung, gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and central nervous system cancers, as well as low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis.
In 2026, Dr. Shirazi and Dr. Vakilian were recognized as San Diego Top Doctors, joining Dr. Fuller and Dr. Ijaz, who have previously received this distinction.
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5395 Ruffin Rd, Suite 103, San Diego, CA 92103 | 858-221-9135
@uniospecialtycare | uniospecialtycare.com
