Migraine Devices Give New Options for Relief

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved two new migraine devices for pre-migraine and migraine symptoms. Each unit may help migraine sufferers who do not want to take prescription drugs, have had limited benefit with medication or can’t tolerate their side effects.

Typical migraine symptoms include a pulsing or throbbing headache, often on one side of the head. Sometimes nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound also accompany the pain. An aura–such as a visual disturbance or sensory change–is a brief neurological dysfunction that sometimes happens just before or at the beginning of an attack.

The Spring Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator (SpringTMS) is designed for use during an aura to help cancel the headache. The patient places the migraine device at the back of the head and pushes a button to emit a quick magnetic pulse. The pulse stops or lessens the pain associated with migraine headaches preceded by an aura. (The first version of this migraine device was called theCerena.)

The Cefaly Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Device uses technology that has helped other health conditions for many years. Designed for daily use, this new migraine device helps to prevent the onset of a migraine and reduce the number of headaches. The Cefaly TENS looks similar to a head band. The patient places it across the temples and attaches an electrode in the middle of the forehead. The migraine device produces a pulse of electrical current aimed primarily at the trigeminal nerve, where migraine headaches start.

Using a new migraine device may cause some minor side effects. The FDA reported skin irritation, dizziness, and some pain at the application site.

The Headache Center specializes in diagnosing and treating hard-to-treat migraines as well as headaches caused by neurological or psychiatric illness. Use our online form or email us to request an appointment.

This post was written by Noah Rosen, MD, director of the Headache Center at the Cushing Neuroscience Institute.

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