Current Through Electrodes To Reverse An Unfolding Migraine: Research

A pain so incapacitating that a possible cure has to match the dramatics to be effective! A team of researchers from CCNY’s Grove School of Engineering have now devised a procedure by which electric current is passed through your brain to undo a migraine attack at it’s prodrome phase.

Sending Electric Currents To The Brain’s Pain Network (1)

The team of biochemical engineers led by associate professor, Dr. Marom Bikson, associate professor of biomedical engineering have clearly demonstrated that brain stimulation technology works. So what is done in this shocking procedure? The technique involves passing low voltage electric current to the brain from electrodes attached to a person’s scalp. The researchers focused on that part of the brain which has a network of interconnected brain regions involved in processing pain signals, called the pain network. To their surprise they found the technique could reverse ingrained changes in the brain caused by chronic migraine.

This procedure applies the principal of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). As per Bikson, “We developed this technology and methodology in order to get the currents deep into the brain. The fact that people still suffer from migraines means that the existing treatments using electrical technology or chemistry are not working.” (2)

The study found that repeated sessions reduced both the duration and the intensity of pain in close to 40% of the migraineurs. The technique is recommended by Dr. Bikson to be used every day to ward off attacks, or periodically, like a booster. So far, the only side-effect recorded has been mild-tingling sensation in the person during the time s/he receives the procedure.

The researchers are looking forward to widen and scale up there clinical trials to come up with more findings across demographics so that once through te treatment can be made available at hospitals world over.

This new transcranial direct current stimulation (tCDS) has the following advantages over the other cranial nerve stimulation techniques available to medicine:

• No need for unwieldy equipment
• No potentially dangerous side-effects such as seizures
• Stimulation of the deep brain instead of just the upper layer of the brain
• No need for surgery to reach deep brain region to plant electrodes
• Portable system and can develop the unit as small as an iPod working on a 9 volt battery.

SOURCES:

1. Image by Victor Habbick; FreeDigitalPhotos.net; May 2012;
   http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=4036
   
2. Technology Eases Migraine Pain in the Deep Brain; Science Daily News; May 2012;
   http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120430192625.htm
   

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Bridging the Gaping Divide With Pain Self-management Tools

Most migraineurs are aware that the medical fraternity has yet not arrived at the cause of migraines. We know of triggers and the way the pain unfolds or what happens inside of the brain hours before, during and after a migraine episode but are still clueless about what causes migraines and why or how the pain stops.

Though a good number of migraineurs do consult a ‘migraine specialist’ or a ‘headache specialist’ after enduring the onslaught of merciless pain years after they first experienced their episodes, they often take back selective important tips back from the doctor’s office. A relatively new program called painACTION.com developed by Inflexxion now offers many tools to the migraineur that can help them manage their symptoms better when they are out of the doctor’s office and back into their lives.

Better Pain Management With Online Self-help Application (1)

This free and non-promotional program is available online and is believed to be especially beneficial to those who are chronic migraineurs. The tool was studied by researchers at Inflexxion using 185 participants to test the clinical efficacy of this web-based program. The program uses various symptom-based management techniques and offers a wide range of tips on relaxation and on getting support groups, doing daily activities to do etc.

It was observed that those who used the program reported better stress and pain management skills, were more confident in their ability to handle an episode. The study as well as it’s findings were reported in the medical journal The Journal of Head and Face Pain, titled ‘A Randomized Trial of a Web-based Intervention to Improve Migraine Self-Management and Coping’. (2)

According to the lead author and researcher, Jonas Bromberg, PsyD, Director of Health Communications and Senior Research Scientist at Inflexxion, “Self-management training should help patients learn how to identify, avoid, and manage headache triggers, and learn to perform other essential prevention, management, and coping behaviors. The integration of behavioral support in the medical care of migraine is essential in helping people with migraine to manage their condition more effectively, safely manage their prescription pain medications, avoid disease progression, and reduce the high cost of migraine and migraine-related disability to individuals and society.” (3)

This free online program is particularly beneficial to those who live and work in areas which do not have easy or ready access to neurologists, mental health support services or behavioural experts.

SOURCES:

1. Image by Jeroen van Oostrom; Freedigitalphotos.net; February 2012;  
   http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=413
   
2. Technical report of the study may be accessed at: A Randomized Trial of a Web-Based Intervention to Improve Migraine Self-Management and Coping; Wiley Online Library; February 2012;
   http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2011.02031.x/abstract
   
3. Migraine Self-Management Improved And Migraine-Related Psychological Distress Reduced By painACTION.com; Medi Lexicon News; February 2012;
   http://www.medilexicon.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=241832
   

The web-based program may be accessed through this link:
http://painaction.com/

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The Haven of Homeopathy for Migraineurs

Despite its critics, homeopathy offers some of the most potent drugs to tackle migraines. The reason I recommend homeopathic treatments for migraines more than I do allopathic ones is because of the lack of side effects. Moreover, when you are talking of migraines, you are dealing with mid to long-term usage of any drug. If you are like me, you could be looking at 10 years of monthly migraines! In such a scenario, popping pills may not be a great idea. Yes, if it is an infectious or a life-threatening ailment, you will have to resort to mainstream allopathic medication, however.

HOWEVER, CONSULT A HOMEOPATHIC DOCTOR BEFORE YOU EMBARK ON A PROGRAM. Remember, practitioners select treatments according to a patient consultation that explores the physical and psychological state of the patient, both of which are considered important to selecting the remedy. Therefore, what worked for me, may not work for you and vice versa.

Natrum mur, Silicea (also called Silica), Sepia, Belladonna, Bryonia, Cimicifuga, Cyclamen, Gelsemium, Ignatia, Iris versicolor, Kali bichromicum, Lachesis, Natrum muriaticum, Sanguinaria and Spigelia are examples of some homeopathic medicines that effectively counter migraines. 

I will be discussing other effective migraine therapy options in my next post…Until then, take care

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Sharing Your Invaluable Experience

Hi everyone,

I have noticed considerable traffic on this blog which encourages me to write new posts every other day. However, I am surprised at migraineurs not leaving their views on the subject. 

It would be very considerate (and tis a Season of Giving) if more migraineurs share their experiences of medications, therapies, practices and other relevant data on managing pain effectively. Any help to a fellow-migraineur will be very very appreciated and very very welcome!

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Trying Magnesium

About 2 years back, I stumbled upon magnesium’s big role in regulating calcium ion inflow to neuron cells, channelopathy in migraineurs and of course its spiral effect on the all important serotonin and eventually prostaglandin and a whole gamut of things that go on for a migraineur. By the way, migraineurs are generally defecient in magnesium. Run a blood test and find out if you are in this bracket.

In desperation, I calculated the approximate amount of magnesium I was getting from my diet and it was apallingly low! (Incidentally, magnesium absorption is also inhibited by the caffeine and alcohol intake). I started out on magnesium-calcium supplements for a month that gave me RDA values on both (esp magnesium at 400 mg a day). OK, now get this. I had an episode of migraine the following month but it was so much milder than usual. It arrived one day before I was to head out to London. My work didnt have to stop on the day I was travelling out to London. This was a big deal for me, as will be, I am sure, for many, many migraineurs. I would not have been able to do this without the supplements. Ever since, I have made magnesium a part of diet. I do go off it now and then by choice but I usually do take them and benefit from it immensely.

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Best Regards