Zap Your Migraine Away With Magnets
Migraine suffers might soon have a new means of getting relief.
A new study has been examining the effectiveness of magnetic impulses on the brain to short circuit pain signals. These magnetic impulses are being sent to the brain by a transcranial magnetic stimulation device, a small hair dryer size machine that is held to the back the migraine sufferer’s head.
In this study, researchers worked with 201 people who suffer from “migraine with aura” migraines. Half of them were given a genuine magnetic stimulation device and the other half a ‘pseudo’ magnetic stimulation device that was unable to provide a magnet current. Both groups were told to place the device to the back of their heads as soon as the aura feeling began. The test results showed that 39% of those using the genuine magnetic device remained pain-free two hours after using the device, whereas only 22% of those with the ‘pseudo’ device remained pain-free. The results, researchers say, are promising.
As migraine sufferers know, there is no definitive treatment for migraines. Currently there are three main treatment options…
Migraine avoidance by discovering and avoiding individual headache triggers which often range from chocolate to bright lights, lack of sleep and too much exercise.
Acute migraine treatment when a migraine occurs. Standard treatment in this stage is usually an non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and/or analgesia.
Chronic treatment, often known as preventative treatment, where a person is on regular prescribed medications to prevent migraines from occuring.
None of these treatments – alone or combined – are completely reliable.
So news that another treatment option might be available in the future will be welcomed with open arms.
Migraine sufferers, after all, need all the help they can get.
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I think this device is a good step forward for the treatment of migraines. Transcranial magnetic stimulation has numerous benefits over drugs, including potentially fewer side effects. It also has utility for a variety of other different disorders. It is also useful as a research tool as it can selectively increase or decrease specific brain regions. Migraines are associated with altered cortical excitability. So TMS can decrease activity in brain regions that are overactive.
I must say great article and well thought of as some migraine articles are the same but this was a good solid read!
Another great migraine article! I always like read your blog so I always come back for more.