I Have Migraines Often: Is TMS Right for Me?

Although migraines are often classified as headaches, they are actually in a category that’s all their own. 

The most common type of headache is a tension headache, which causes pain and other symptoms that are uncomfortable but aren’t necessarily severe enough to impact your daily life. Plus, headaches only affect your face and head. 

In contrast, migraines are debilitating and involve your brain, unlike any other type of headache. Because of these facts, migraines have to be treated differently from any other headache disorder.

If you often have migraine attacks and are not able to tell when one headache ends and another begins, you may have chronic (long-lasting) migraine. 

At RapidRecovery TMS in Wilmington, North Carolina, our team is passionate about helping those with chronic migraine manage their condition and regain their quality of life. 

In this month’s blog, we discuss how our transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is revolutionizing the world of migraine treatment and what to expect from it. 

What is TMS therapy?

TMS is a type of non-invasive brain stimulation therapy. It’s categorized as non-invasive since it doesn’t use any incisions. Instead, it uses a magnetic coil to send electromagnetic pulses through your skin and to your brain to influence its activity.

Your brain is electrically active, so it responds well to and is easily influenced by electromagnetic energy, which is exactly the principle that TMS therapy relies on.

During a TMS therapy session, the magnetic coil is placed on your head, and pulses are then sent from it. You relax in a comfortable chair and wear earplugs for the duration of the session since the procedure tends to be rather loud. 

TMS therapy isn’t painful, but you may notice some tapping sensations while the coil sends out pulses. 

How does TMS therapy for chronic migraine work?

Migraine is a neurological disorder that causes abnormal brain activity. Many outside factors can trigger abnormal brain activity, such as caffeine withdrawal or hormone changes. Once your brain activity has been altered, it leads to a chain reaction in nerve pathways and other chemicals, resulting in the telltale migraine headaches. 

The goal of TMS therapy for chronic migraine is to alter the activity in your brain that’s causing your migraines and change how your brain processes pain. Although the science behind it is still not fully understood, studies have shown that TMS can reduce the severity and frequency of migraines. 

This can be a welcome alternative to medications since these same studies have also shown that some migraine medications can actually worsen your migraines over time. 

To learn if TMS therapy can help you better manage your frequent migraines, schedule an appointment with our team by calling our office or using our online booking feature today.