A New Hope for Chronic Migraine Sufferers: Introducing TEMMA at TRA Tacoma

For the millions of people living with chronic migraines, finding effective relief can be a frustrating journey. Many patients try multiple medications, lifestyle modifications, and therapies without achieving lasting results. Now, a groundbreaking treatment option is offering new hope for those struggling with severe, treatment-resistant migraines: TEMMA (Targeted Embolization for Migraine Management).

Available at TRA Tacoma – on Union, TEMMA is an innovative, minimally invasive neurovascular procedure designed to address one of the key pathways involved in migraine pain.

What Is TEMMA?

TEMMA is a catheter-based procedure that targets the Middle Meningeal Artery (MMA), a blood vessel that supplies the dura, a pain-sensitive layer surrounding the brain. Research has shown that the dura and the MMA play an important role in migraine signaling and inflammation.

Using advanced image-guided technology, fellowship-trained neurointerventional specialists place a tiny soft platinum coil into the MMA through a small opening in the wrist or groin. The coil gently seals the artery, helping reduce the inflammatory signals believed to trigger migraines.

Unlike traditional surgery, TEMMA requires no incisions on the head, no hospital stay, and most patients return home the same day. The procedure typically takes just 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

Why Does TEMMA Work?

Many migraine medications work by reducing inflammation or altering blood flow within the same migraine-producing pathway supplied by the MMA. TEMMA takes a different approach by directly targeting the source of these signals.

Research has increasingly highlighted the role of the MMA-dura system in migraine physiology. Recent migraine-specific studies have reported up to an 80% reduction in headache days among appropriately selected patients undergoing MMA embolization procedures. Patients also experienced improvements in pain severity, medication use, daily functioning, and overall quality of life.

The Lidocaine Test: A Key Step Before Treatment

One unique aspect of the TEMMA process is the Lidocaine Test, a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure used to determine whether a patient is likely to benefit from treatment.

During the test, a small amount of lidocaine (a numbing medication) is injected directly into the Middle Meningeal Artery through a microcatheter. Patients then monitor their migraine symptoms over the following days or weeks.

If migraine frequency or severity improves significantly after the injection, it serves as a strong indicator that TEMMA may provide meaningful and lasting relief.

Who May Be a Candidate?

TEMMA may be an option for individuals who:

• Experience eight or more migraine days per month
• Have not responded to at least two preventive migraine medications
• Cannot tolerate medication side effects
• Continue to experience migraine-related disability
• Have associated neurological symptoms such as aura, visual disturbances, dizziness, or cognitive fog
• Have frequent migraines that interfere with work, family life, or daily activities

A comprehensive evaluation with a migraine-trained neurointerventional specialist can help determine whether TEMMA is appropriate for a patient’s specific condition.

Recovery and Safety

TEMMA is performed as an outpatient procedure with local anesthesia and light sedation. Most patients experience only mild temporary side effects such as fatigue, soreness at the access site, or mild scalp sensations.

Patients typically return to normal activities within a day or two, with many noticing migraine improvements within days to weeks after treatment. Because the Middle Meningeal Artery does not supply brain tissue, embolization of the vessel is considered safe when performed by experienced neurointerventional specialists.

Insurance Coverage and Cost Transparency

Many insurance plans provide coverage for portions of the TEMMA process, including the initial consultation, Lidocaine Test, and TEMMA procedure itself. Coverage varies by plan, but patients receive a detailed benefits review and cost estimate before proceeding with treatment.

The care team also assists with insurance verification, prior authorizations, and medical necessity documentation to help simplify the process for patients.

Available at TRA Tacoma – On Union

Patients interested in learning more about TEMMA can schedule an evaluation at:

TRA Tacoma – On Union
2502 S Union Ave
Tacoma, WA 98405

Phone: 253-284-0841
Fax: 253-284-0847

Professional services are provided by Cortex Neurovascular.

A New Direction for Migraine Care

For patients who have exhausted traditional migraine therapies, TEMMA represents a promising new approach. By targeting a well-established migraine pathway through a minimally invasive procedure, TEMMA offers the potential for fewer headache days, less reliance on medication, and improved quality of life.

If chronic migraines continue to disrupt your daily life despite treatment, a consultation may help determine whether TEMMA could be the next step toward lasting relief.

Learn more about TEMMA here: https://www.gettemma.com/