Our Treatment Process
Embark on the Reed Procedure® journey by diving into our informative webinar or contacting us. This paves the way for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Reed, assessing your candidacy for the procedure. Typically, our patients endure severe headaches for ten days or more each month, with conventional treatments providing little relief.
Patient Care Timeline
If you want to continue with US Migraine Centers, here’s what happens: first, we talk to you about your situation and educate you about our process. Then, we work out a plan that fits your needs.
Each Treatment Step Explained
Check out the video below with Destini, who used to be a patient at US Migraine. She talks about both the trial and permanent procedures. Underneath the video, you’ll see explanations for each part of the treatment. Just tap on a section to learn more about that step.
If you’re eligible for the procedure and decide to take the next step with the trial, we’ll help you navigate the process of getting approval from your insurance company. This step is quite common and ensures you have a written confirmation that your insurance will cover the procedure. It might also be referred to as pre-authorization or pre-determination by your carrier.
Rest assured, our team is here to make this journey smoother for you. We’ll actively work with your insurance provider to ensure you receive the fullest benefits available.
Want to know more about how we handle insurance verification? Feel free to explore the details here.
The trial procedure is a quick outpatient process (typically around 20 minutes), and it’s minimally invasive. During this, we’ll place a temporary stimulator – no surgical incisions needed. As you’re in the recovery room, a stimulator specialist will customize the system to match your specific needs, creating a mild, pleasant sensation across the front and back of your head. Afterward, you’ll wear the temporary stimulator for about three to seven days to gauge if it helps manage your pain.
Our extensive experience spanning over 30 years and backed by more than 100 published medical papers has shown that an implanted stimulator can significantly alleviate severe head pain for most patients. The beauty of the trial stimulator lies in its ability to show you its effects firsthand. Usually, the results are striking, and you’ll know promptly if it’s working for you. This provides the clarity you need to decide if you want to proceed with the permanent stimulator implantation. Following the trial period, you’ll revisit us to have the temporary unit removed and share your experience. If the trial stimulator proves successful (which is the case for over 80% of our patients), we’ll promptly initiate the process to schedule you for the permanent procedure. For a thorough rundown of the trial procedure, you can dive into the details by clicking here.
Feel free to select the location that suits you best for the trial procedure. However, please keep in mind that for the permanent procedure, we invite you to join us in Plano, TX. This exciting step takes place in an outpatient setting at the hospital and usually lasts around two hours. You’ll be pleased to know that the entire system is placed beneath your skin, leaving no visible trace. Just to reassure you, we recommend taking a look at our patient videos to see how seamlessly the stimulator implant blends in.
If you’re curious about the ins and outs of the permanent procedure, simply click here to get all the details.
Recovery from the trial and permanent procedures varies from patient to patient, but here’s what we typically observe:
For the trial procedure: Most of our patients are back to their regular routines – work, school, and more – in just a few days to a week after the trial.
As for the permanent procedure: Most of our patients return to their daily, light activities within one to two weeks of the permanent procedure. However, full recovery takes, on average, 4-6 weeks. During this period, it’s best to steer clear of strenuous activities.
After the permanent procedure, we’ll keep in touch periodically to track your progress. Remember, we’re always here to help with any questions you have. Generally speaking, using and maintaining the permanent stimulator units is simple. The battery keeps going for up to 10 years, and if you need a new one, it’s a straightforward 15-minute outpatient procedure.
We’re thrilled to welcome patients from all across North America, which often means some travel for the trial and/or permanent procedures. While you can choose any of our locations for the trial procedure, it’s important to note that the permanent procedure is exclusively performed in Plano, TX.
Here’s a general timeline: After a successful trial, we usually schedule patients for the permanent procedure about three weeks later. If travel is in the cards for you, we suggest planning for a 4-night stay near our facilities for each procedure. If you’re unsure about the logistics, our team is more than happy to assist in coordinating your travel arrangements.
If you’re curious about where we’re located, you can find all the details by clicking here.