For many years, migraine relief without drugs seemed impossible. In recent years, however, neurologists have hit on a wide range of treatment options that do not rely on medication to get the job done. One of the most exciting new methods of combating migraines is called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS for short. TMS was actually developed to treat clinical depression by passing magnetic fields over the brain, thereby stimulating certain nerve cells. Since migraines also originate in the brain and can often be triggered by related nerve cells, some neurologists quickly hit on the idea of using TMS to relieve migraines.
On the forefront of developing TMS technology is a company called eNeura. They are leading the way with a product called the SpringTMS Total Migraine System, which is both portable and easy to use by the patient rather than requiring a visit to a doctor’s office. It uses the same electromagnetic coil as earlier TMS devices to create a small, safe magnetic field at the base of the cranium, and also has a built-in computer to walk the patient through the procedure. The patient is also encouraged to record the data from each session, so that they can better identify the patterns underlying their migraines.
Often, by the time a patient starts to feel a migraine coming on it is too late to do anything to stop the progress of the headache. The SpringTMS Total Migraine System is a unique treatment option in that it is designed to be used as soon as a patient begins to experience the symptoms of a migraine. The magnetic field formed by the TMS device attempts to block the migraine before it is fully formed.
The eNeura machine may not be the only TMS device utilized to treat headaches, but it has been designed specifically to prevent them. Unlike other migraine treatments that have used magnetic fields, the SpringTMS Total Migraine System employs a single-pulse system that delivers the full magnetic charge in a millisecond, rather than requiring extended exposure to a magnetic field. This makes it an intriguing treatment option, albeit one that is still being developed.
As intriguing as TMS technology surely is, there is no quick fix or magic bullet for curing a patient’s migraines. Chronic migraines can be caused by a wide range of different triggers, and so for some patients the magnetic field created by a TMS device may do little to prevent a debilitating headache. Even if a TMS device is not an adequate solution to your problem, there are a wealth of methods of relieving migraine headaches without drugs, so schedule an appointment with a neurologist before settling on any one treatment plan. A good doctor is your best defense against migraines, and can help you find an ideal treatment plan without the expense involved in purchasing experimental devices that may not be right for you.
At Rowe Neurology Institute, we have the most current diagnostic tools, and a staff of neurologists and integrated caregivers who specialize in diagnosing and treating headaches and migraines/ We’ve treated literally tens of thousands of headache patients in the Kansas City region at our Headache Center and find ways to provide migraine relief without drugs . Take your life back from migraines. We’ll show you how.