SAFETY

A Procedure Built Around Safety

How the test protects you, what the real risks are, and what recovery looks like — explained plainly.

The Safety Record

Numbers we can stand behind.

Zero
Serious complications
across all published studies
~90%
Of treated patients improve
across the published series
40 min
Procedure time
plan for about 4 hours total on the day
Same-day
Discharge
home the same day, no overnight stay
Last reviewed: October 2026
Built-In Protection

A negative test means no procedure.

Before anything permanent, we find out whether TEMMA® will work for you. A short test delivers a small amount of lidocaine — a common numbing medicine — to the pathway driving your migraines. If your migraine pain quiets, the procedure is very likely to help you.

If the test is negative, we stop. No embolization is performed. Nothing permanent has been done. You only move forward when the test predicts benefit.

Nothing permanent happens unless the test predicts benefit
Across published studies for this indication, zero serious complications have been reported. The test is the safety net — a procedure is never scheduled without strong evidence it will work for you. See how the test works →
How We Protect You

Four safeguards, built into every procedure.

Image-guided precision
Live X-ray guidance shows the catheter’s position in real time. The coil goes exactly where it belongs — and nowhere else.
Minimally invasive
A tiny catheter enters through a small puncture at the wrist or groin. No incisions in the head. Nothing touches the brain.
Light sedation
You’re comfortable and breathe on your own. Most patients are awake — some watch the procedure happen on screen.
Closure device
The small puncture is sealed immediately with a closure device. Then it’s a bandage — not a wound.
Honest Risks

Every procedure has risks. Here is ours.

Most side effects are mild and temporary. This is the full picture, in the same categories we review with every patient.

Common

Mild & temporary

  • Mild headache or pressure for a day or two
  • Fatigue for the first 24–48 hours
  • Soreness or bruising at the wrist or groin access site
  • Temporary scalp tingling or sensations
Less common

A small number of patients

  • Brief visual changes
  • Temporary facial numbness or weakness
  • Allergic reaction to contrast dye
  • Bleeding at the access site
Rare but serious

Extremely rare in published literature

  • Stroke
  • Vessel injury
  • Coil migration
Recovery

From procedure day to month 12.

Most patients are home the same day and back to normal life within a week.

Every step of this timeline is mirrored in the free TEMMA® Companion app — daily guidance in your pocket, with your care team a tap away.

Procedure day
Rest & go home
You rest for 1–2 hours. A small bandage covers the access site. You go home the same day.
Days 1–2
Light activity
Mild fatigue or soreness is normal. Most people resume light activity.
Week 1
Normal activity
Back to work, exercise, and daily routines. Migraine improvement often begins to show.
Weeks 2–4
Follow-up
We check how you are healing and how your migraines are responding.
Months 1–12
Progress checks
We check your progress over the next 12 months. Improvement is measured, not just felt.
When TEMMA® Isn't Right

Who should not have TEMMA®

TEMMA® may not be appropriate in certain situations. We review your history carefully and tell you honestly if the procedure is not the right fit. Common reasons 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
See full candidacy criteria →
Safety Questions

Safety questions, answered

Safety starts with a conversation

Bring every question to a consultation. We answer each one — before anything is scheduled.

Request a ConsultationCall (833) 4-CORTEX