Cutting Edge In Migraine Treatment

By Nameer Haider, MD

A new procedure that uses minimally invasive surgical techniques offers hope to people who have long suffered debilitating pain in their heads.

Millions of Americans experience daily headaches, and for more than 90 percent of sufferers, migraines interfere with their education, career and social activities. Headaches and migraines are the most common ailment known to mankind and, for the most part, they are poorly managed by popping a few painkillers.

According to the World Health Organization, one in 10 adults suffer the disabling condition every day, with 99 percent of women and 93 percent of men expected to suffer in their lifetime.

Migraines are characterized as being a form of moderate to severe recurrent headaches – lasting for hours or even days – that cause excessive throbbing pain, nausea and extreme sensitivity to light.

Side effects of medications used to treat headaches are problematic. Depending on the class of medication, there can be problems with weight gain, hair loss, disturbed thinking, sedation, dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, light-headedness and sexual side effects.

On the up side, help is at hand and it's not all in your head. Nameer Haider, MD, Director Interventional Pain Management at the Minimally Invasive Pain Institute has begun performing 360 Degree Neurostimulator Implantations to treat chronic headaches. Dr. Haider was the first in the world to perform and offer this procedure to his patients earlier this year.

The Haider 360 degree Halo migraine procedure is a revolutionary innovative surgical procedure that provides long-lasting relief for people who suffer from chronic, debilitating headaches. The procedure is based on neurostimulation, which has been used for more almost 50 years to treat chronic pain.

Neurostimulation delivers a small electrical charge over 12 separate nerves through an implanted device using 32 tiny electrodes, similar to a pacemaker. A customized electrical pattern can be self-adjusted via wireless remote control. Initially, temporary leads are placed in an outpatient office based procedure to confirm the device will control the patient's headaches. Permanent leads are then implanted a few weeks later, followed by a short recuperation period. No other system can control pain of the entire head (360 degrees).