Devices that deliver electrical or magnetic pulses to specific nerves may reduce migraine episodes or pain intensity.
The Cefaly device can be used daily to prevent migraine attacks or to alleviate symptoms during attacks.Cefaly.com
Nerve stimulation devices deliver electrical or magnetic pulses to specific nerves to reduce migraine episodes or pain intensity. Find out whether one of these devices might be an option for you.
If you experience migraine, whether chronic or episodic, there may be a “zap” for that.
Bad wordplay aside, nerve stimulation has proved to be an effective option for some people who have this often painful neurological disease. In general, the theory behind the approach is that electrical or magnetic pulses delivered to specific nerves or to areas of the brain can prevent migraine attacks or reduce the severity of symptoms during attacks.
“The underlying theory is there are targets in the central and peripheral nervous systems that can be manipulated using electrical or magnetic pulses on nerves that are directly or indirectly involved in pain processing,” explains Matthew Robbins, MD, an associate professor of neurology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City.
“In most people, I don’t see nerve stimulation replacing medication altogether, but it can be used alongside prescribed drug treatment to reduce migraine episodes or pain intensity,” says Dr. Robbins. “It may also help reduce reliance on medication to address symptoms,” he adds.
Different Devices Target Different Nerves
Nerve stimulation, sometimes called neuromodulation, isn’t one single approach.
Although they generally work the same way, the methods vary according to which nerves are targeted in the procedure and how the stimulation is applied. These are the most commonly used approaches for migraine:
- Supraorbital stimulation targets the branch of the trigeminal nerve that brings sensation to the forehead, upper eyelid, and scalp.
- Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) targets the vagus nerve, which extends from the brainstem to the abdomen and communicates with a variety of muscles and organs along its entire length, including the small intestine and colon.
- Occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) targets nerves on the back of the scalp.
- Remote electrical neuromodulation (REN) stimulates peripheral nerves in the arm, with the goal of blocking pain signals from reaching the brain.
- Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS) is not aimed at any particular nerve but rather at the brain more generally.
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