If you suffer from migraine pain or know someone who does, there is promising news about a technology called sTMS. You know they’re migraines are more than just headaches. With symptoms like pulsing pain, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and visual disturbances, migraines can derail even the best of days.

But what if a small magnetic device could help ease that pain? New research from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine suggests that a specialized type of magnetic pulse may offer relief for migraine sufferers, especially those who experience aura.

Important Note: We don’t have any team members at Apex Magnets who are trained in magnetic therapy, and we are unable to recommend specific magnets for specific medical treatments. Always consult your medical professional for use and recommendations before pursuing treatment. Improper use of magnets can be dangerous. Review our magnet safety guidelines for additional information.

What Is sTMS and How Does It Work?

The technology is called single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation, or sTMS for short. It delivers a targeted magnetic pulse to the back of the head, and researchers believe it helps interrupt the abnormal electrical activity in the brain that triggers migraines with aura.

If you’re unfamiliar with aura, it refers to the sensory changes some experience before a migraine hits: flashing lights, zigzag lines, numbness, tingling, or trouble speaking.

While large clinical sTMS devices have been around for a while, they were bulky and expensive, limited to hospitals or research centers. Now, researchers are testing a smaller, handheld version that can be used at home, and the early results are promising.

The Study: A Closer Look at the Results

In a trial involving 200 patients with migraines with aura, participants used the handheld sTMS device over three months. Half received active treatment, while the other half received a placebo.

Here’s what they found:

  • 40% of patients who used the real device reported complete relief from migraine pain within two hours. 
  • Users described the device as easy to operate and noninvasive. 
  • Researchers noted that while more long-term safety data is needed, the results were significantly better than those of the placebo. 

That’s big news for people who haven’t responded well to medications or are looking for alternative migraine relief options.

What Medical Experts Are Saying

The Migraine Trust and the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have responded with cautious optimism. While more data is needed to assess long-term safety and cost-effectiveness, both organizations see sTMS as a potential option for people with treatment-resistant migraines.

Wendy Thomas, Chief Executive of the Migraine Trust, summed it up nicely:
 “Huge numbers of sufferers find their lives blighted by migraine. We welcome NICE guidance that may help deliver brighter futures to many people for whom other treatments have not worked.”

So, Is This a Cure?

Not quite. There’s currently no cure for migraines, and magnetic therapy won’t work for everyone. But technologies like sTMS open up exciting new possibilities for pain relief, especially for those exploring drug-free options.

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