Migraine is experienced by 1 billion people globally, ranking as the third most common disease in the world. It is much more than just a bad headache, but a neurological condition that can be extremely incapacitating for sufferers.
Migraine symptoms vary, but the most common is a severe, throbbing, recurring pain, usually felt on one side of the head. Aside from headaches, other symptoms such as visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, extreme sensitivity to sound, light, touch and smell, and tingling or numbness in the extremities or face may also be present. With a wide range of symptoms, it is apparent that migraine can diminish one’s quality of life, especially since an attack could last between 4 to 72 hours.
There is still no known cure for migraine, but genetics and environmental factors appear to play a role in its cause. Treatment options include oral medications that can help manage symptoms and prevent attacks. A procedure called transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS is also available for those who would like to explore alternative treatment methods.
Doctors have been treating migraines with magnets for nearly half a century. However, treatment can only be done in-office or in-hospital as the procedure is usually administered through the use of large equipment. But today, scientists have found a way to make treatment more accessible by designing a portable migraine-relief device, which now makes in-home therapy a reality for sufferers.
It is called the sTMS mini by eNeura.
“Magnets simulate the brain,” Dr. Richard Lipton, vice chair of the department of neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx and director of the Montefiore Headache Center tells The Post. “Forms of magnet therapy have been used as both diagnostic and therapeutic tools for a very long time. The challenge was building a lightweight, portable device. But now we’ve accomplished that.”
The sTMS mini by eNeura is only available via prescription from your doctor. According to Dr. Lipton, most people rent the device for a three-month period at a time. For unlimited use, it can cost anywhere from $100 to $150.
The sTMS mini by eNeura is extremely easy to operate. First, you press the center button found on top of the device and wait for the green racetrack to be fully illuminated. Once it is, hold the sTMS mini so it cradles the back of your skull. To deliver a safe therapeutic pulse, press one or two of the treatment buttons under the device.
When the buttons are pressed, the eSTMS mini generates a magnetic field that is as strong as an MRI. It creates a small amount of electric current in the brain that helps relieve migraine symptoms. Dr. Lipton says that more than 40% of people who used the device reported that they are pain-free almost immediately after use, and its preventive benefits gradually develop with usage over time.
Years of research and testing has proven that the sTMS mini is highly effective and produces little to no side effects, making it a better option for migraine sufferers who are aware of the negative side effects caused by taking migraine medication in the long-term.
(Note: This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only and not to be treated as a professional opinion or diagnosis.)