TEMMA
A New Option for Chronic Migraines That Haven’t Responded to Medication
TEMMA is a minimally invasive procedure that targets the root cause of migraine pain — no brain surgery, no hospital stay, and no need to travel to Seattle.
Available locally at TRA Tacoma – on Union
When Medications Aren’t Enough
Chronic migraines can take over your life. If you’ve tried multiple medications, adjusted your lifestyle, tracked every trigger, and still can’t find lasting relief — TEMMA may be worth exploring.
TEMMA (Targeted Embolization for Migraine Management) works by gently sealing a small artery inside the skull called the middle meningeal artery (MMA) — the same pain pathway most migraine medications target, but in a longer-lasting, minimally invasive way.
There’s no brain surgery, no incision on your head, and no hospital stay. The procedure is done through a tiny opening at the wrist or groin using image-guided catheters — precisely the kind of advanced vascular work our interventional radiologists perform every day at TRA.
Is This Right for Me?
TEMMA is designed for people with chronic, hard-to-treat migraines. You may be a good fit if any of these sound familiar:
A short consultation with one of our fellowship-trained neurointerventional specialists will help determine whether TEMMA is right for you. A simple diagnostic lidocaine test can predict whether you’re likely to benefit — before the actual procedure is done.
What to Expect, Step by Step
TEMMA is a phased approach that starts with an evaluation and a diagnostic test before any treatment is performed. There’s no pressure and no obligation at any step.
- Consultation & Evaluation
We review your migraine history, any imaging you’ve had (MRI/CT), and what treatments you’ve already tried. We’ll walk you through the procedure and answer every question you have. No pressure, no rush. - The Lidocaine Test
A tiny amount of numbing medicine is delivered directly into the MMA through a microcatheter guided by live imaging. If your migraines significantly improve in the days that follow, you’re very likely to benefit from TEMMA. This step predicts success before any treatment begins. - The TEMMA Procedure
With light sedation and a tiny 2-3 mm access point at the wrist or groin, a soft platinum coil is placed inside the MMA, gently sealing the artery. The whole procedure takes 20-30 minutes. You go home the same day. - Recovery
Most patients return to light activity the same day or the next. Full recovery is typically within a week. Many patients notice fewer or milder migraines within the first few weeks, with continued improvement over time. Individual results vary.
What the Evidence Shows
A 2025 prospective trial of MMA embolization for refractory migraine reported significant, measurable improvements across every outcome measured.
Xu et al., International Journal of Surgery (2025) – Prospective trial of MMA embolization for refractory migraine
A Well-Established Technique in Expert Hands
The embolization technique used in TEMMA has been performed thousands of times worldwide for other conditions. The MMA doesn’t supply brain tissue, so closing it safely does not affect brain function.
- No effect on brain function – the MMA supplies the dura, not brain tissue
- Performed by fellowship-trained neurointerventional specialists at TRA
- Same-day outpatient procedure – no hospital stay required
- MRI-safe coils; coil technology used safely for 40+ years in neurovascular care
Side effects are typically mild and temporary — mild scalp tingling, minor soreness at the access site, or brief fatigue. Serious complications are rare and will be reviewed thoroughly during your consultation.
What Patients Ask Us
Ready to Find Out If TEMMA Is Right for You?
A consultation is a simple, no-pressure conversation. We’ll review your history, answer your questions honestly, and let you know whether TEMMA is worth pursuing.
Learn more at getTEMMA.com. Professional services provided by Cortex Neurovascular.