Patients suffering from chronic migraine headaches or any other type of migraines can be very devastating over a period of time due to pain and for some, the pain would be longer. The migraine sufferers often remain in bed in the dark and quiet place for hours and sometimes days. Due to this migraine pain, the sufferers will have negative impacts on work, relationships and excellence in life. Controlling a migraine headache pain and to decrease the symptoms, patients have to take some medications, but a lot of patients cannot bear medications and they are in search of a non-medicinal approach to treating their migraines.
Over the years, a lot of research has been done to find out the exact reason for migraines and is yet to be known.Many types of treatments are used to treat the migraines. Treatments included are changes in lifestyle like exercise, diet, etc. drugs, surgically implanted electrodes, neurostimulator devices. But, all of these treatments are not proved to give relief and prevent the migraines completely.
In the marketplace there are many neurostimulator devices available for the treatment of migraines. But, now the researchers have conducted some research and clinical studies for years and invented another neuro-stimulator device called Cefaly.
Cefaly headband is approved by Food and drug Administration (FDA) in March 2014 and is claimed to not only treat migraines but possibly prevent them altogether. FDA has permitted the marketing of the Cefaly device for the preventive treatment of migraine headaches.
WHAT IS CEFALY AND HOW IT WORKS
Cefaly migraine treatment headband is an external cranial neurostimulator and is a drug-free method indicated and intended for the treatment and prevention of patients who suffer from regular and severe migraines and tension headaches, specifically to reduce the consumption of medicines. Most of the migraines and headaches involve trigeminal nerve which lies alongside the optic nerve which sends visual information from the eye to the brain.
Cefaly is a CE and ISO certified medical device. It is a battery-operated headband, built out of silver ABS plastic which is placed on the forehead and over the ears with the help of a self-adhesive electrode powered by two AA batteries which stimulate the trigeminal nerve to either ease the pain during the attack or in a long term, help to minimize their occurrence. The device contains a headband with a single button interface to start, stop and alter the sessions.
The patient may feel a tingling or massaging sensation where the electrode is placed. As noted by FDA, Cefaly is indicated for patients 18 years of age and older and should only be used once per day for 20 minutes. It is ideal for pregnant or nursing mothers who have no choice but to stay away from dangerous pain killing medications.
See the video below on how the Cefaly device works.
HOW TO USE
Using of Cefaly headband device is simple. Once attaching the electrode to the forehead, the user pushes the button one time to start the session, with the intensity and tingling sensation it slowly increases as time advances. Accurate compulsions are formed, which act on the trigeminal nerve. These compulsions occasionally grow in intensity, and the perception is to build up a tolerance to control the sensation and the effect of the migraine onset in the brain. The user can push the button any time if he feels the sensations do become too much and by pressing the button again will reduce the intensity and holds at its current level. To stop the session, the user presses the button twice. The compulsions will stop and the device will shut down.
Studies on Cefaly Migraine treatment headband
- Researchers have been studying the efficiency of Cefaly since 2011, in the most recent study conducted on 2,313 headache sufferers, in which 54.4 percent of the sufferers tested reported satisfaction with the treatment provided by Cefaly and were willing to purchase the device, whereas only 4.3 percent report adverse effects which were minor and flexible.
- The user satisfaction study conducted in France showed more than 53 percent of patients were satisfied with Cefaly treatment and willing to purchase the device. The basic complaints were sleepiness and headache during the stimulation session.
- In both the studies, there were no serious adverse effects occurred to the patients by using the device.
Cefaly device is harmless and very safe to use. Cefaly is a patented medical device and its safety has been verified in many tests, research, and clinical studies.
Side effects of Cefaly device
By using Cefaly there were no problems or side effects were reported. In clinical studies also using Cefaly, any evidence of side effects or problems has not been revealed.
Safety measures of Cefaly Migraine treatment headband
- This device should not be used while driving.
- Any skin scrapes on the forehead in the place where the electrode is placed.
- Recent brain trauma
- If the user has Meniere`s disease
Cost of Cefaly device
The Cefaly device is priced at approximately US$349, the kit included with three electrodes which can be used for 15 to 30 times. Additional electrodes of a pack of 3 will be approximate US$29. The device is already available in Europe, as well as in South American and Middle Eastern countries and in Canada.