Hope for migraine sufferers as gadget that zaps pain with the push of a button is approved

• NICE has approved the portable transcranial magnetic device for use
• The hair-dryer sized gadget sends electrical pulses to the brain to short-circuit the 'electrical storm' that causes the symptoms of a migraine
• After a single zap, 40% of patients remain pain-free for at least two hours
• 29% of migraine sufferers stay without pain for at least 24 hours
• Patients can now be referred for treatment with the device by their GP

A new magnetic ‘pain zapping’ device could transform the lives of migraine sufferers with the push of a button.

Many of England's six million migraine sufferers have been offered new hope after Britain's health and care guidance body recommended for use a portable device which sends pulses to the brain.

In NHS guidance, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) revealed the encouraging results of clinical trials of the gadget. The controlled trial saw 164 migraine patients treated with single transcranial magnetic stimulation and 39 per cent were pain-free two hours later. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2543388/Migraine-hope-gadget-blasts-pain-away-approved.html

Health Notes: A touch really is soothing

• Touching the skin near an area of pain can reduce its intensity
• The process of touching interferes with nerves dealing with pain

Touching a sore point actually eases the pain, suggests new research, which found brushing the skin within an inch or two  of the site of pain can reduce its intensity and sharpness.

It is thought the effect comes from the nerve fibres that process touch interfering with those that deal with pain, resulting in ‘tactile analgesia’.

Volunteers were blindfolded and wore headphones to block out other sensory information.  A laser was then briefly directed on to their forearms, to cause pain. Some volunteers also had a touch sensation applied 1cm away at the same time, by nylon hairs from a robot.

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Healing touch: It is thought the soothing effect comes from the nerve fibres that process touch interfering with those that deal with pain, resulting in 'tactile analgesia'

The results showed that  when the laser and touch were applied simultaneously, people were less likely to report ‘high’ pain. Without the added touch, the laser was described as pricking 93 per cent of the time; with touch applied, that dropped to 28 per cent. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2541766/Health-Notes-A-touch-really-soothing.html