Candidacy

Am I a Candidate for TEMMA?

A detailed look at who TEMMA is designed for, what makes someone a good candidate, and how we determine eligibility.

TEMMA is designed for people with chronic, hard-to-treat migraines who have not found adequate relief from standard medical therapy. If your migraines significantly limit your daily life — or if you're looking for a drug-free, long-lasting alternative — TEMMA may be appropriate for you.

The best way to find out if you're a candidate is to schedule a consultation. We'll review your history, examine your imaging, and discuss whether TEMMA (or a different treatment path) makes sense for you.

You may be a candidate if you have

Common indicators of TEMMA candidacy

Severe migraine frequency

You experience 8 or more headache days per month, with migraines that significantly limit your daily activities.

Medication-overuse headaches

You may be taking pain medications frequently enough that they're contributing to your headache pattern (rebound headaches).

Treatment-resistant migraines

Standard migraine treatments — including prescription medications, supplements, and lifestyle changes — have not provided adequate relief.

Side effects from medications

You experience unacceptable side effects from migraine medications, or you cannot tolerate them due to other medical conditions.

Hormonal or menstrual migraines

Your migraines are tied to your menstrual cycle or hormonal changes, and standard hormone-related treatments have not been effective.

Frequent attacks limiting daily life

Migraines are interfering with your work, school, family responsibilities, or quality of life on a regular basis.

Looking for a drug-free option

You prefer a treatment that does not require ongoing daily medication, or you want to reduce your reliance on migraine drugs.

Positive lidocaine test

If you have already had a lidocaine test (or are willing to have one), a positive response is a strong indicator that TEMMA will help.

When TEMMA may not be right

Who is not a candidate

TEMMA may not be appropriate in certain situations. During your consultation, we will review your medical history and discuss any concerns. Common reasons TEMMA may not be recommended include:

Pregnancy
Active infection or severe untreated medical conditions
Allergy to contrast dye, anesthesia, or coil materials
Bleeding disorders or anticoagulation that cannot be safely paused
Anatomy that makes the MMA inaccessible via catheter
Lack of correlation between migraine symptoms and the MMA pathway
A consultation with one of our providers will help determine your eligibility. We will discuss your options honestly — even if that means recommending against TEMMA.

Find out if TEMMA is right for you

A no-pressure consultation with one of our specialists is the best next step.

Schedule Your Visit