- With Mayo Clinic neurologist
Jerry W. Swanson, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Jerry W. Swanson, M.D.
Jerry W. Swanson, M.D.
Dr. Jerry Swanson is a board-certified neurologist at Mayo Clinic and is a professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. He has a special interest in headache disorders and medical education.
Dr. Swanson, a Lacon, Ill., native, was appointed to the Mayo Clinic staff in 1982 and works in the Department of Neurology with about 90 other physicians. He formerly chaired the Headache Division in the Neurology Department at Mayo Clinic and works with headache subspecialists around the world. He has published and lectured widely on headache disorders. He also serves as Assistant Dean for Assessment in Mayo Medical School.
"In a manner similar to the printing press, Internet technology enables the unprecedented ability to communicate with the global community about health information," Dr. Swanson says. "There is no doubt that the knowledgeable individual contributes greatly to his or her own health care, and now we can share information much more widely."
"There is much information already available about health care on the Internet. Unfortunately, much of it is not founded on sound principles. It is exciting to be a part of the MayoClinic.com team and contribute to the creation of a reliable and timely health resource."
Dr. Swanson is the neurology editor for "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" and has reviewed articles for "Mayo Clinic Health Letter" and "Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource." He is also editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic on Headache" book, published in 2004. In 2008 the magazine "Women's Health" named him one of America's Top Doctors for Women.
Definition (1)
- Ocular migraine: What causes it?
Causes (3)
- Nighttime headaches: What causes them?
- Nighttime headaches: What causes them?
- Migraine headaches: Are they triggered by weather changes?
Treatments and drugs (3)
- Occipital nerve stimulation: Effective migraine treatment?
- Migraine medications and antidepressants: A risky mix?
- Migraine treatment: Can antidepressants help?
Prevention (1)
- Aerobic exercise: What's the best frequency for workouts?
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Question
Occipital nerve stimulation: Effective migraine treatment?
I've had chronic migraines since age 20. I'm now 49. I've tried numerous medications with varying degrees of success. Would occipital nerve stimulation offer any hope?
Answer
from Jerry W. Swanson, M.D.
Occipital nerve stimulation is a relatively new procedure used to treat chronic headache disorders, including chronic migraines. In occipital nerve stimulation, a surgeon implants a small device at the base of the skull — near the occipital nerve. Special wires tunneled under the skin connect the device to a pacemaker that's also implanted under the skin, generally under the collar bone (clavicle), under the skin in the lower back, or in the lower abdomen. The pacemaker sends electrical impulses to the occipital nerve, either on a steady or as-needed basis.
Research indicates that occipital nerve stimulation may improve headaches for 70 percent or more of people who try the therapy. However, studies on occipital nerve stimulation thus far have included only a small number of participants — and long-term results aren't yet available. After occipital nerve stimulation, the need for surgical revision of wire placement is common. Infection also is a risk.
The bottom line? Although there's some evidence that occipital nerve stimulation can be effective in the treatment of chronic headache disorders, more studies are needed before the approach can be considered a routine headache treatment.
Next questionMigraine medications and antidepressants: A risky mix?
- Swanson JW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 1, 2008.
- Trentman TL, et al. Occipital nerve stimulation: Technical and surgical aspects of implantation. Headache. 2008;48(2):319-327.
- Jasper J, et al. Implanted occipital nerve stimulators. Pain Physician. 2008;11(2):187-200.
