Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have just been awarded a substantial grant of $3.2 million from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to delve into the effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatments for migraines.
This five-year study aims to provide relief to the millions of Americans who suffer from migraines, which can be severely debilitating. As stated by Dr. Rebecca Erwin Wells, professor of neurology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and a neurologist at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, “More than 45 million Americans have migraine, which can be severely debilitating.” The financial and emotional toll of migraines on individuals, families, and society as a whole can be substantial.
The researchers are primarily focused on non-pharmacological treatments, which include a range of non-medication approaches such as lifestyle changes, behavioral therapies, mind-body practices like meditation and deep breathing, and alternative healing methods like acupuncture.
The decision by the NIH to award this grant reflects a recognition that the over-reliance on opioids to manage migraines has led to many problems, including addiction, as well as other side effects such as vomiting, sleepiness, and even depression in some cases.
This grant is set to change the way we think about migraine treatment and make non-pharmacological methods more mainstream and accessible to patients. By promoting evidence-based non-pharmacological treatments, the researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine hope to significantly improve migraine care across the US, transforming countless lives in the process.
Wake Forest University School of Medicine has established itself as a leading institution for groundbreaking research, clinical care, and innovative treatments for complex health conditions. This recent grant highlights the institution’s continued dedication to addressing pressing health concerns and advancing our understanding of novel treatments through rigorous scientific inquiry.