Headband Headache? New FDA-approved Accessory Prevents Migraines
A new tiara-like device has been FDA-approved to prevent migraines, reports CNN. The new technology is also a CE and ISO certified medical device.
The device is called Cefaly and is produced by Belgium-based STX-Med which is composed of engineers and physicians. Citing a randomized control trial published in the journal of Neurology, CNN notes that the device has "reduced chronic migraine attacks on average by two per month" and also reduced the number of migraine episodes by 50% in 38% of the users.
"Cefaly is a drug-free method for treating migraine pain and preventing migraine headaches from ever coming on. Cefaly treats migraine pain with neurostimulation," reads the website of the new FDA-approved device.
The device works by sending out stimulus that "limits pain signals from the nerve centre by working on the trigeminal nerve where migraine headaches start," reads the product description.
"The patented Cefaly treatment changes the trigger threshold of migraine headaches. As the pain threshold becomes harder to reach, migraine headaches are less frequent, less painful, and simply disappear," the description continues.
Cefaly claims to have no known side effects and may even be used with other migraine medications, notes CNN. The device's website claims that the new technology can "considerably reduce or replace the consumption of side effect producing medications."
Users will have to follow a six-step procedure which comprises one Cefaly session as outlined on the website. The first step is to clean the skin to ensure that grease is removed and that the device sticks well. The electrode is then positioned in between the eyebrows before Cefaly is put on.
Once worn, users can press the button to start the session and can also hold the intensity at present level to prevent further increase. One Cefaly session is said to last for 20 minutes.
The device is already available for purchase in Canada, selling for $250 at Costco, says CNN.