The magnet to cure a migraine: Can this device mean the end of excruciating ...

Written By Unknown on Sunday, 23 September 2012 | 11:05

  • New device delivers magnetic pulse to the head at touch of a button
  • Scientists say handheld device can alleviate symptoms for up to two hours
  • Treatment relieved or reduced excruciating pain in 73 per cent of patients taking part in trial

By
Tamara Cohen

14:39 EST, 21 September 2012


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14:39 EST, 21 September 2012

Pain relief: Scientists say a new treatment involving a magnetic beam could alleviate migraines

Pain relief: Scientists say a new treatment involving a magnetic beam could alleviate migraines

For many of Britain's eight million sufferers, there has been no respite from the dreaded migraines.

But now scientists believe that a new, sci-fi-style treatment involving a magnetic beam could be the answer.

They have developed a handheld device which – at the touch of a button – delivers a brief magnetic pulse to the back of the head.

Although it might sound more like a star-trek weapon than a medical instrument, the developers say it can alleviate symptoms for up to two hours.

Three months of treatment was found to relieve or reduce the excruciating pains in 73 per cent of patients treated in UK clinics.

Other symptoms of migraine, such as nausea, vertigo, memory problems and hyper-sensitivity to light and noise improved for 63 per cent of those tested.

More than half found the number of headache days they had, which for some sufferers can be chronic, had declined to some extent.

Migraines – debilitating headaches which occur when the brain is over-sensitive to normal triggers – have been desribed as an 'electrical storm'.

But the £500 device -known as the Spring Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation system – seems to short-circuit this activity.

These results from trial on 60 sufferers were revealed today at the European Headache and Migraine Trust International Congress in London.

The device, made by California-based eNeura Technology is being prescribed by headache specialists in London, Hull, Bath, Exeter, Liverpool and Aberdeen.

One British patient who took part in the trials, Andy Bloor, said: 'I suffer from chronic migraines. Put simply, for me the TMS device worked.

'The key for me was using the device quickly – as soon as the migraine started. When I did, often on first use and always on subsequent uses, it stopped the migraine in its tracks.

'The plus of the device is it reduces my reliance on strong drugs like cocodamol.' 

'New optimism': Researchers say the new treatment could provide sufferers with an alternative to drug treatments

‘New optimism’: Researchers say the new treatment could provide sufferers with an alternative to drug treatments

None of the patients experienced intolerance or side effects.

Another participant, Yasmin Bibi, said: 'I have suffered migraine for nine years, tried a lot of medicines and saw different consultants to no avail.

'I could be completely debilitated for a whole week, needed time off work and was at my wit's end. Now the device helps me to cope.'

Earlier this week the National Institute for Clinical Excellence warned that up to a million people in Britain suffer from severe headaches through taking too many painkillers.

Migraines are the most common neurological condition in Britain and are thought to run in families. Drug treatments are available but do not work for many patients and can cause severe side effects.

The magnetic beam – which painlessly penetrates the skull so the patient just feels a vibrating effect – works differently.

It induces a very mild electrical current in the brain for a fraction of a second. This makers say this seems to interrupt the abnormal electrical activity associated with migraines.

Dr Fayyaz Ahmed, a Hull-based neurologist who chairs the British Association for the Study of Headache, said: 'We think neurostimulation is the future in treating headache disorders, particularly if it is non-invasive. 

'A significant proportion of migraine sufferers either do not respond or are unable to tolerate available oral treatments.

'Now TMS will provide them with an alternative to deal with their disabling migraines and be able to continue with their activities of daily living.'

Professor Peter Goadsby, the congress joint chair and a neurologist, said: 'For the many migraine sufferers whose medicines just do not do the job, it is exciting to see such an innovative, novel approach to treatment that provides new optimism.'

The comments below have not been moderated.

As a scientist and migraine sufferer, I would simply like to say… NONSENSE!

Zebster
,

In the sticks, United Kingdom,
23/9/2012 16:35

Get in touch with Ecoflow in Cornwall, a British Company with British made products. They supply various types of magnets to the public both for humans and pets and do not cost a fortune. I am sure they have a website and an agent near you. It is worth discussing your problems with them.

Observer, Midlothian

Observer
,

Midlothian,
23/9/2012 16:05

Stupid and shameful exploitation of the desperate and gullible.

This has not been peer reviewed or published. Until it is, it is no better then snake oil. That’s how science works, folks!

But hey, we all hate ‘science’ here, dont we? Lets go with new style right wing anti knowledge. Those left wing scientists with their so-called degrees and text books and equipment and experiments, what do they know? Much better trust a friend of a bloke at work who totally swears by – snake oil

attilathereasonable
,

berwick, United Kingdom,
23/9/2012 11:24

I know someone who swears by Feverfew leaves which you can get from the health food shop and I swear by ZOMig pills expensive but the migraine will go after approx 40 mins instead of 2/3 days

Sara
,

Shanghai, United Kingdom,
23/9/2012 11:04

there is nothing new about this concept. The Japanese have been using magnets for pain relief for years. With self adhesive magnets being sold along side pain killers.
Funny people the Japanese. they live ten years longer than us and spend the largest part of there health care budget on preventative medicine.
I myself have two magnetic rollers. that i use for all my aches and pains.
The only new thing about it is the 500 bucks price tag…

phil upnorth
,

the toon,
23/9/2012 09:38

“I used a simple ” Faraday Cage” made from Cooking foil and a couple of coat-hangers. I no longer get daily /evening Migrains ! Maybe others could try iy and report ! I suspect the confluence of TWO Mobile Phone Mast Signals that are BOTH just about 300 Yards away. – B.W.Moore.Mr. , Stockton on Tees, 23/9/2012 08:09″ I have so much sympathy for anyone who suffers migraines (my friend goes through hell) I’m really glad this works for you. Could I please be excused for having a really good giggle at the thought of someone walking around with coat-hangers tin foil on their head…. oh dear….. trying so hard not to laugh.

Cabbage
,

Sheffield, United Kingdom,
23/9/2012 08:32

I used a simple ” Faraday Cage” made from Cooking foil and a couple of coat-hangers.
I no longer get daily /evening Migrains !
Maybe others could try iy and report !
I suspect the confluence of TWO Mobile Phone Mast Signals that are BOTH just about 300 Yards away.

B.W.Moore.Mr.
,

Stockton on Tees,
23/9/2012 08:09

Is this available in the states? I have suffered from migraines for 12+ yrs and have tried every kind of migraine medication along with medication for nausea caused from the migraine. Would love more info on this!

Shi
,

USA,
23/9/2012 03:25

I understand that magnet therapy has been used for many years for migraine sufferers

david
,

Canberra,
23/9/2012 01:03

Very-Hot-Curries help get-rid of Migraines/headaches Flu. Regular walks in the Evening times also help ( Depression). The DM was right to many pain-killers (Tablets) make the problem worse.

Dr Spock
,

london,
22/9/2012 21:28

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http://www.news.ezonearticle.com/2012/09/23/the-magnet-to-cure-a-migraine-can-this-device-mean-the-end-of-excruciating/

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