A New Hope for Migraine Sufferers: Exploring Stem Cell Therapy

What are migraines? 

Migraines are a neurological disorder characterized by intense, throbbing headaches often accompanied by nausea, light and sound sensitivity, and visual disturbances. A migraine attack can last anywhere from a few hours to several days and can make it hard to do normal daily activities. About 1 in 8 adults around the world get migraines, and women are affected more often than men. Some people suffer from chronic migraines, which happen frequently and have a huge impact on their lives. Migraine symptoms can vary widely in how strong they are and how long they last. A typical migraine attack can last 4 to 72 hours and may include the following: 

• Headache pain
  • Pulsing or throbbing sensation, often focused on one side of the head
  • Can range from moderate to severe
  • The pain typically gets worse with physical activity such as going up stairs or walking 
• Sensory Sensitivities
  • Sensitivity to light (photophobia) 
  • Sensitivity to sound (phonophobia)
  • Sensitivity to smells (osmophobia) 
• Vomiting and Nausea
  • These are common symptoms during moderate to severe migraine attacks
  • These symptoms often lead to dehydration or loss of appetite 
• Visual Disturbances (known as Aura) – This symptom occurs in about 25-30% of people who suffer from migraines. It is characterized by blurred or tunnel vision, temporary vision loss or blind spots, and flashing lights or zigzag lines. 
• Mood and Behavioral Changes – These symptoms can be showcased through irritability, anxiety, or depression, yawning, food cravings, excessive sleepiness or frequent urination during prodrome (early sign that indicates onset of migraines).
• Neurological Symptoms – Feelings of numbness in the face or limbs, tingling, difficulty speaking or slurred speech, vertigo or dizziness, brain fog or mental confusion. 

Types of migraines

• Migraine with aura – Sensory disturbances before headache begins
• Migraine without aura – The most common form of migraine
• Cervicogenic headache (migraine-like) – Originating from neck dysfunction
• Chronic migraine – Symptoms occur 15 or more days per month

Conventional Treatments

Medications like pain relievers, triptans, and preventive drugs (such as beta-blockers and CGRP inhibitors), along with lifestyle changes and therapies like biofeedback, are common ways to treat migraines. 

• Acute treatments like over the counter pain relievers, triptans (which are migraine-specific drugs), anti-nausea medications – These are taken at the beginning of a migraine attack to relieve symptoms and stop the headache from getting worse. 
• Preventative treatments like blood pressure medications, antidepressants, anti seizure medications, botox injections – These are taken regularly to reduce the severity, frequency, and duration of migraines, especially in people with frequent or chronic attacks.
• Non-Drug therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation & biofeedback training, dietary adjustments, regular sleep, hydration and exercise, and supplements. – These are complementary and lifestyle approaches often used alongside medications. 

Some people with chronic migraines don’t get relief—even after trying several treatments. These patients are considered treatment-resistant, meaning their migraines continue despite medical care. Many patients also experience side effects like fatigue, dizziness, cognitive fog, or gastrointestinal issues as a result of conventional treatments. In addition, overuse of acute medications can lead to medication-overuse headaches (MOH). Chronic migraine patients often fail multiple treatments and may seek alternative approaches like stem cell therapy and PRP. 

Stem Cell Therapy for Migraines: A Promising Frontier

The Research

A 2017 case study evaluated adults with refractory chronic migraines treated with autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF), rich in mesenchymal stromal cells. Stem cell therapy has shown promise in helping with chronic migraines, tension headaches, and nerve-related facial pain. This may be because stem cells can reduce inflammation in the nerves, which is known to play a key role in causing migraines. The outcomes of the study revealed that 7 out of the 9 participants experienced decreased disability after the treatment and the other 2 out of the 9 participants showed clinically meaningful improvement. 

Adult patients who experience severe migraine-related disabilities were assessed and measured using Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) scores. This case study and its participants started with a mean baseline MIDAS disability score of 122 and three months after the procedure the mean MIDAS score reduced to 88.

In conclusion, using stem cells from a person’s own fat tissue (called adipose-derived SVF) may help treat chronic migraines that don’t respond to other treatments. However, stem cells from a donor (allogenic stem cells) might be easier to use and potentially even more effective.

How It Might Work

The proposed mechanisms include anti-inflammatory effects which aid in reducing neurogenic inflammation which is believed to drive migraine pathology as previously mentioned. In addition, it aids in neuroprotection and regeneration. This means it supports neuronal repairs, myelin sheath (the protective layer that wraps around the axons of nerve cells-neurons, which is essential for the healthy function of the nervous system) maintenance, as well as vascular health. Lastly, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) naturally travel to areas of inflammation or damage and release helpful molecules that support healing and calm the immune response. 

Practical Delivery Approaches

There are a couple approaches in the delivery of stem cells. There is a local injection method which can include the use of intramuscular injections which deliver the stem cells deep into the muscles, where it can be absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly than through the skin or subcutaneous tissue. Systemic delivery via IV infusion is another possible delivery approach. In this way, the MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells) are delivered directly into the bloodstream. This method allows the stem cells to circulate systemically and potentially reach areas of inflammation or injury.

Looking Ahead

Allogeneic stem cells—particularly those derived from young, healthy donors such as umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)—are gaining significant attention in the field of regenerative medicine due to their consistency, high potency, and anti-inflammatory properties. These cells are collected from donated umbilical cord tissue after healthy births and processed under stringent laboratory conditions to ensure safety and efficacy. Because they come from young sources, they are generally more biologically active and contain fewer age-related mutations or senescent markers compared to autologous (self-derived) stem cells. This makes them a promising, standardized option for treating chronic inflammatory and degenerative conditions, especially in patients whose own cells may be compromised due to age or illness. 

In parallel, cutting-edge research is focusing on exosome therapy, which involves using nano-sized vesicles naturally secreted by stem cells. These exosomes carry bioactive molecules such as proteins, lipids, and microRNAs that play a crucial role in cellular communication and regeneration. Because they can cross biological barriers and modulate inflammation, immune response, and tissue repair without introducing whole cells, exosomes are considered a promising, cell-free therapeutic alternative. Regenerative clinics are also exploring combination therapies—such as stem cells plus exosomes or platelet-rich plasma (PRP)—to synergistically enhance healing and functional recovery in chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, and neurological conditions. As clinical trials and real-world applications continue to evolve, the integration of allogeneic stem cells and next-generation cellular byproducts like exosomes is setting the stage for more effective, less invasive regenerative treatment strategies.

Summary

Migraines are a common and often debilitating neurological condition that can significantly interfere with daily life, especially when they become chronic. For many individuals, chronic migraines bring frequent, intense headaches along with symptoms such as nausea, light sensitivity, and fatigue—making it difficult to function normally. While traditional treatments like medications and lifestyle changes can provide relief for some, others continue to suffer despite trying multiple therapies.

In recent years, stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising new approach, particularly involving mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from sources such as adipose (fat) tissue, bone marrow, or umbilical cord tissue. These cells are known for their ability to reduce inflammation, promote healing and regeneration in the nervous system, and help regulate the immune system. The goal of this therapy is not just to mask migraine symptoms but to target some of the root causes of the condition at a cellular level.

Although this form of treatment is still in the early stages of clinical research, initial studies have shown encouraging results for patients with treatment-resistant or refractory migraines. Some individuals have reported a decrease in the frequency and intensity of their migraine attacks. Stem cell therapy offers exciting potential as a new, next-generation treatment for migraines—especially for people who haven’t found relief with traditional treatments.

At our clinic, the Stem Cell & PRP Institute of L.A., we specialize in advanced regenerative therapies using mesenchymal stem cells to help reduce inflammation, promote healing, and improve quality of life for chronic migraine sufferers. If you’ve tried multiple treatments without success, you don’t have to keep suffering. Schedule a consultation with our experienced doctor to explore whether stem cell therapy could be the right solution for you.

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