The Reed Procedure® Trial Stimulator

The Reed Procedure®: A Potentially Permanent Surgical Migraine Treatment

At Reed Migraine Centers, we understand that patients want to be sure that a medical procedure works for them before fully committing to it. That’s why we offer a chance to try the neurostimulator device used in the Reed Procedure® for a few days first to determine if it effectively treats your pain before having the permanent stimulator implanted.

During the trial procedure, we implant a temporary unit, much like an IV tube underneath the skin, and leave it in for a few days to see if the patient stops feeling the headaches. The patient then goes home wearing the temporary unit for three to seven days. The effects of the temporary unit are typically dramatic, and the patient will know whether or not the procedure will work with a high degree of certainty. The patient returns after the trial period, and the temporary unit is removed.

If the trial stimulator works, which is the case for over 80% of our patients, the patient can proceed with the permanent stimulator implantation. However, if the patient does not see a significant improvement in their headaches, they can choose not to move forward with the permanent stimulator. We are highly confident that the permanent stimulator will work effectively on patients who have a successful trial.