How Migraine and Cluster Headache Impact Veterans
Veterans often experience migraine and cluster headache as a result of the unique physical and emotional challenges faced during military service. These headache disorders can be overwhelming and can significantly affect day-to-day life. Below are five important facts about how these conditions impact the Veteran community:
- Increased Risk: Veterans are more likely to experience migraines or other headache disorders compared to civilians, partly due to the stresses and experiences during service.1
- Service-Related Factors: Conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) that many Veterans face can lead to or worsen headache disorders.
- Severe Headaches: Cluster headaches, sometimes called "suicide headaches," are particularly severe and can profoundly affect both physical and mental health.
- A Common Challenge: Headache disorders are one of the most frequently reported health issues among Veterans, making it a widespread concern.2
- Impact on Daily Life: Chronic headaches can make it difficult to work, connect with others, and maintain a good quality of life.3
Why gammaCore is Right for Veterans
If you’re a Veteran struggling with frequent and intense migraine or cluster headaches, gammaCore™ nVNS can help. gammaCore provides clinically proven, reliable relief from multiple types of headache pain by gently stimulating the vagus nerve.
gammaCore can be used to help prevent headaches before they start or quickly stop painful attacks when they happen. Built with Veterans in mind, gammaCore offers:
Drug-free, non-invasive therapy that's simple to use
Flexibility to be used multiple times a day (up to 24 stimulations)
Convenience and portability, fitting easily into your routine, whether at home or on the go
How gammaCore Works
gammaCore delivers gentle, patented electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve through the skin at the side of the neck—the ideal location for reaching vagus nerve fibers. The vagus nerve is connected to many pathways in the body, including those associated with pain management. By stimulating this nerve, gammaCore helps reduce headache pain and the frequency of attacks.
This safe, FDA-cleared treatment is backed by clinical research and offers an effective option for Veterans dealing with migraine and cluster headaches.
Clinically Proven Results You Can Trust
Safe
A safe, well-tolerated, drug-free therapy when used on its own or with other treatments.4, 5
Fast
Migraine users felt pain relief in as little as 30 minutes after treatment.6 Cluster headache users experienced relief in as little as 15 minutes from the first treated attack.7, 8
Long-Lasting
Most migraine users who were pain-free at 2 hours remained pain-free for 24 hours.9
Reliable
Almost half of users had little to no migraine pain within 2 hours after first use.10
Quality of Life
Users experienced a significant quality of life improvement.11, 12
When Should I Use gammaCore?
PREVENTIVE TREATMENT
A treatment consisting of 2 two-minute stimulations on the same side of the neck, twice daily (morning and night).*
AS NEEDED TREATMENTS
A treatment consisting of 2 two-minute stimulations on the same side of the neck as needed; repeat treatment if pain persists.
*Additional treatments may be recommended for cluster headache and other trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias.
How to Use gammaCore
Watch the video below to learn how to use your gammaCore device.
How to Get gammaCore from Your VA Provider
Getting gammaCore from your VA provider is easy. Just follow the below steps for clinically proven, reliable headache relief.
Call your VA provider or use the MyHealtheVet portal to schedule an appointment today.
Talk to your provider about getting a prescription for gammaCore.
gammaCore will be shipped directly to your home. We can also provide personalized training, routine follow-ups, and refill reminders.
Need more gel? No problem. A member of our dedicated Customer Experience team would be happy to assist you. You can reach them at 888-903-2673 or customerservice@electrocore.com.
If you’re not currently enrolled in the VA health care system, you may still qualify for treatment through the VA. To apply, visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits/enroll or call 877-222-8387.
Real Veterans. Real Results.
See how gammaCore has transformed lives through real testimonials from Veteran patients who have achieved lasting relief.
Marc
Veteran, gammaCore User
"gammaCore is easy to use. I would like to recommend it to anybody who has tensed up muscles/nerves. I can go about my day without increasing muscle neck pain and also decreasing any headaches."
Cassarena
Veteran, Migraine Patient
"With gammaCore, I can really function and do everyday activities. gammaCore has really helped me manage my pain level."
Jess
Veteran, Migraine Patient
“With gammaCore, I am able to start doing things, and I feel like a human being again.”
See His Story
John
Veteran, Migraine Patient
"I can get through my day without worrying about headaches. gammaCore works well!"
Jeannine
Veteran, Migraine Patient
"I have a very long history of chronic migraines since I was 16. I have tried many medications throughout the years with little to no effect. gammaCore is a lifesaver for me. Highly recommend!!"
George
Veteran, Migraine and Cluster Headache Patient
"I have a better quality of life by being able to reduce the number of migraines I have. My migraines have reduced in number and intensity by preventive use each morning and each night."
Daniel P.
Veteran, Migraine Patient
"Once I put it on, it stimulates the nerve to give me quick relief, along with my oxygen."
Daniel
Veteran, gammaCore User
"I was able to come off the medication I was on. It improved my quality of life substantially."
Cheryl
Veteran, Migraine Patient
"With gammaCore, I feel more like myself without excess medication. It is quick, convenient, and can be used on the go."
Lindsey
Veteran, Migraine Patient
"I was prescribed gammaCore for my migraines and headaches, and what a relief it has been. Using gammaCore daily has prevented cluster headaches and daily mild headaches, and it has saved me from having to take medication for the few migraines that I have had in the last 90 days. Overall, it has changed my life. gammaCore is a lifesaver for everyday functions of life."
Greg
Veteran, Migraine Patient
"I experience headache relief and overall activation reduction. I have recommended gammaCore to other combat vets."
Samuel
Veteran, Migraine Patient
"I can live again, not in fear of my next debilitating migraine. gammaCore works! It is that simple."
Jared
Veteran, Migraine Patient
"gammaCore is convenient, easy, and quick, and it provides a much faster end to my symptoms."
*Individual results may vary
1. Contributor, V. (2017, May 22). Veterans who deployed are more likely to develop migraines or headache disorders - VA News. VA News. https://news.va.gov/38022/veterans-who-deployed-are-more-likely-to-develop-migraines-or-headache-disorders/
2. Migraines and Headaches: Understanding the Disorders | VA Tennessee Valley health care | Veterans Affairs. (2024, June 14). Veterans Affairs. https://www.va.gov/tennessee-valley-health-care/stories/migraines-and-headaches-understanding-the-disorders/
3. Why is Migraine a Veterans’ Issue? - Migraine at work. (2021, November 30). Migraine at Work. https://migraineatwork.org/articles_migraine/why-is-migraine-a-veterans-issue/
4. Najib, U., Smith, T. R., Hindiyeh, N., Saper, J. R., Nye, B., Ashina, S., McClure, C. K., Marmura, M. J., Chase, S., Liebler, E., & Lipton, R. B. (2022). Non-in¬vasive vagus nerve stimulation for prevention of migraine: The multicenter, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled PREMIUM II trial. Cephalalgia, 42(7), 560–569. https://doi.org/10.1177/03331024211068813
5. Gaul, C., Diener, H., Silver, N., Magis, D., Reuter, U., Andersson, A., Liebler, E., & Straube, A. (2015). Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for PREVention and Acute treatment of chronic cluster headache (PREVA): A randomised controlled study. Cephalalgia, 36(6), 534–546. https://doi.org/10.1177/0333102415607070
6. Tassorelli, C., Grazzi, L., De Tommaso, M., Pierangeli, G., Martelletti, P., Rainero, I., Dorlas, S., Geppetti, P., Ambrosini, A., Sarchielli, P., Liebler, E., & Barbanti, P. (2018d). Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation as acute therapy for migraine: the randomized PRESTO study. Neurology, 91(4), e364–e373. https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.0000000000005857
7. De Coo, I. F., Marin, J., Silberstein, S. D., Friedman, D. I., Gaul, C., McClure, C. K., Tyagi, A., Liebler, E., Tepper, S. J., Ferrari, M. D., & Goadsby, P. (2019). Differential efficacy of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for the acute treatment of episodic and chronic cluster headache: A meta-analysis. Cephalalgia, 39(8), 967–977. https://doi.org/10.1177/0333102419856607
8. Silberstein, S. D., Mechtler, L., Kudrow, D., Calhoun, A. H., McClure, C. K., Saper, J. R., Liebler, E., Engel, E. R., & Tepper, S. J. (2016). Non–Invasive vagus nerve stimulation for the ACUTE treatment of cluster headache: findings from the randomized, Double‐Blind, SHAM‐Controlled ACT1 study. Headache, 56(8), 1317–1332. https://doi.org/10.1111/head.12896
9. Tassorelli, C., Grazzi, L., De Tommaso, M., Pierangeli, G., Martelletti, P., Rainero, I., Dorlas, S., Geppetti, P., Ambrosini, A., Sarchielli, P., Liebler, E., & Barbanti, P. (2018d). Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation as acute therapy for migraine: the randomized PRESTO study. Neurology, 91(4), e364–e373. https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.0000000000005857
10. Tassorelli, C., Grazzi, L., De Tommaso, M., Pierangeli, G., Martelletti, P., Rainero, I., Dorlas, S., Geppetti, P., Ambrosini, A., Sarchielli, P., Liebler, E., & Barbanti, P. (2018d). Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation as acute therapy for migraine: the randomized PRESTO study. Neurology, 91(4), e364–e373. https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.0000000000005857
11. Gaul, C., Diener, H., Silver, N., Magis, D., Reuter, U., Andersson, A., Liebler, E., & Straube, A. (2015). Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for PREVention and Acute treatment of chronic cluster headache (PREVA): A randomised controlled study. Cephalalgia, 36(6), 534–546. https://doi.org/10.1177/0333102415607070
12. Strickland, I. T., Mwamburi, M., Davis, S. K., Ward, J. C. R., Day, J., Tenaglia, A. T., Leibler, E. J., & Staats, P. S. (2018). Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation in a primary care setting: effects on quality of life and utilization measures in multimorbidity patients with or without primary headache. PubMed, 24(24 Suppl), S517–S526. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30543269
