Occipital Nerve Stimulation May Help with Migraines

For the millions of people who suffer from chronic migraine headaches, it can be debilitating. They are often retreating to a dark room until the pain passes. They are looking for something to help some relief. According to the National Institutes of Health, migraine headaches affect about 10-12 percent of the U.S. population. Migraines are recurring headaches where people experience moderate to severe pain, including in the form of throbbing and pulsing (3). While there is no cure for recurring migraines, there is hope in being able to help prevent their onset, including with the research that has been done on occipital nerve stimulation.

In the October 2016 issue of the journal Pain Practice, researchers published information regarding a study that was conducted using occipital nerve stimulation on those who suffer from chronic migraines. Conducting the research on 20 patients, they randomly assigned some of them to a control group and others to a group that would receive the occipital nerve stimulation. The treatment lasted for a period of 12 weeks, with an additional 40 weeks of the treatment where the patients knew if they were part of the control group or the group receiving the nerve stimulation (1).

Research found reduction in the number of headaches per month and reduction of intensity of headache. Every patient had some kind of reduction in their assessments.They done the research on Occipital nerve stimulation for headache. Including a study published in the April 2016 issue of Pain Practice, where researchers evaluated the effectiveness and safety of occipital nerve stimulation for headaches.They reviewing 10 studies in all. They concluded that treatment significantly reduced the pain intensity and the number of days with headache in patients with migraine (2).

A small device was planted in the base of the skull.This is a surgical procedure called Occipital Nerve Stimulation. The device connected to pulse generator that sends out electrical pulses. This procedure noticed its ability in reducing pain from chronic migraine, cluster headaches and frequent common headache symptoms. Those suffering chronic migraines, this is an area of treatment that they may want to discuss with their doctor. While more research needed on its long-term effects. What we have seen so far looks promising for helping many people finding some relief.

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