Living with chronic migraines can be an overwhelming and isolating experience. The relentless pain, light and sound sensitivity, and accompanying nausea can disrupt daily life, making even simple tasks seem insurmountable.
For many, traditional medication-based migraine treatments offer limited relief, leading to lingering pain and a sense of hopelessness. However, the Alpha Procedure, a nerve stimulation treatment designed to alleviate chronic migraine pain, offers long-term migraine relief without the need for medications.
But what exactly is the Alpha Procedure? Read on to learn more about how this groundbreaking migraine treatment works and the many benefits it offers for chronic migraine sufferers in the Dallas-Forth Worth area (DFW) and across the nation.
The Burden of Treatment-Resistant Chronic Migraines
Migraines are more than just severe headaches; they are a neurological condition characterized by intense, debilitating pain often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Chronic migraines are defined as experiencing headaches on 10-15 or more days per month, with migraines occurring on at least 8 of those days, for more than 3 months. This frequency can significantly impair one’s quality of life, affecting personal relationships, work productivity, and overall well-being.
Traditional migraine treatments typically include medications aimed at preventing attacks or relieving symptoms once they begin. While these treatments can be effective for some, others find little to no relief, or they experience adverse side effects that outweigh the benefits. This gap in effective treatment options has led to the exploration of innovative therapies to provide relief for those with treatment-resistant chronic migraines.
Introducing the Alpha Procedure for Chronic Migraines
The Alpha Procedure at North American Migraine we perform in our DFW pain clinics is a minimally invasive surgical treatment that utilizes neurostimulation to target the nerves associated with migraine pain. Specifically, it involves the implantation of a small neurostimulator device that sends mild electrical impulses to the occipital and supraorbital nerves, which are linked to migraine pain pathways.
By disrupting these nerve pain signals, the Alpha Procedure aims to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks, offering a potential solution for individuals who have not found migraine relief through conventional treatments. That means no medications and long-term relief from your persistent chronic migraine pain.
How Nerve Stimulation Works to Alleviate Migraine Pain
Nerve stimulation as part of the Alpha Procedure involves the use of electrical impulses to alter nerve activity. The process generally involves two specific nerves: occipital nerves and supraorbital nerves.
- Occipital Nerves: Located at the back of the head, these nerves transmit sensory information from the scalp to the brain. They have been implicated in various headache disorders, including chronic migraines.
- Supraorbital Nerves: Situated above the eyes, these nerves are responsible for sensation in the forehead and scalp regions. They also play a role in the development of migraine pain.
During the Alpha Procedure, thin leads with electrodes are implanted beneath the skin near these nerves. These electrodes are connected to a small battery, which is typically implanted under the skin in the lower back. The device delivers controlled electrical impulses to the targeted nerves, interfering with the transmission of pain signals to the brain, and delivering instant relief from oncoming migraines.
Process & Timeline: The Alpha Procedure Migraine Treatment
Understanding the details of the Alpha Procedure can help alleviate concerns and set appropriate expectations. The procedure typically involves a thorough assessment to determine if the Alpha Procedure is suitable for you. This includes reviewing your medical history, previous treatments, insurance authorizations, and the specific characteristics of the migraine condition.
Before committing to permanent implantation, a temporary trial is performed in one of our locations near Dallas, TX, in the DFW area. This trial allows both the patient and the physician to evaluate the efficacy of the procedure and make an informed decision about proceeding with permanent implantation. If the trial is successful and all authorizations are in place, a minor procedure is scheduled to implant the permanent neurostimulator system. The procedure is minimally invasive, and downtime is usually a few days.
One Migraine Treatment to End Your Pain for Good
Following the Alpha Procedure, many patients experience a dramatic improvement in daily functioning and overall quality of life. As a minimally invasive treatment, it allows for a fast recovery, with most individuals resuming normal activities shortly after the procedure. Most people report reduced frequency and intensity, with the ability to stop oncoming migraines before they become disruptive. The procedure is also easily reversible if the need arises.
By directly targeting the pain pathways responsible for migraines, the Alpha Procedure offers a safe, non-pharmaceutical, and patient-centered approach to managing chronic migraine pain, restoring hope and control to those who have struggled to find lasting migraine relief.
Are you ready to speak with a North American Migraine specialist in Dallas or DFW now to find out if the Alpha Procedure is a good fit for you? Request a consultation below, call our team now to schedule, or take the candidacy check to see if you qualify for this innovative migraine treatment.
