For the first time, a new device is helping to treat and prevent migraines without medication.
The device is called Cefaly and it is a way of applying electrical stimulation to certain nerves across the forehead.
"Over time, with continued and repeated stimulation of that nerve, that nerve is less likely and less able to send these signals that generate migraine headaches,” said Doctor Vernon Williams of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic.
While searching for a non-pharmaceutical solution for chronic migrants, Kim Holiver of Culver City discovered Cefaly. She brought the information to her doctor, Williams, who agreed to prescribe her the device.
Before the Cefaly treatment, Holiver lived in constant fear of getting a migraine, complete with pain so debilitating it would force her to put her life on hold.
“It feels like somebody has a knife and they’re driving it into either your eyes or your temples and I would say it’s not quite as bad as birth, but it can be close,” Holiver said.
Holiver used medications for relief; however, she did not like the side effects.
“And so I thought well if there’s something I can do that can decrease the medication I’m taking into my body, I want to give it a try,” Holiver said.
Cefaly is a headband attached to an adhesive electrode on the forehead. Holiver said that while it was stimulating the nerves it produced a relaxing tingling effect-and worked.
“By about two months I was 75 to 80 percent less of that type of migraine. It was amazing. It’s a completely different quality of life and it feels good not to be taking the medication,” Holiver said.
Not all headaches are migraines; so if you suffer you need a diagnosis first; if it is migraines this is a potential great option. Keep in mind it’s not covered by insurance and requires a doctor’s prescription. It costs about $350 and about $25 a month for supplies.
