FAQs
Yes, our studies with acute treatment of migraine show that 66.7% of people experience pain relief with Nerivio at two hours post-treatment, and 37.4% of people achieve pain freedom at two hours post-treatment. Our studies with preventive treatment of migraine show a mean reduction of 4.0 migraine days per month after two months of preventive treatment. For more details on our clinical studies, please visit the clinical trials page.
No. None of the materials we use contain latex.
The Nerivio app requires:
- At least 4.7 inches multi-touchscreen with at least 720x 1280 pixels resolution
- CPU of 1GHz or faster, internal memory of 2GB or more, and internal storage of at least 16GB
- Connectivity capabilities of BT4.0 or above
- Supported operating systems – iOS version 13 or newer and Android version 9 or newer.
The armband is designed to wrap around the device on your arm to improve contact between the device and your skin. When using it for the first time, you need to adjust the armband according to your size. If necessary, an extension strap can be used.
Nerivio will turn off automatically and has the following shut off features:
- The first time the device is turned on to pair and set up, the device will shut off automatically after 10 minutes.
- For all subsequent treatments, the device will give you 3 minutes to start the treatment and if not started, shuts off afterwards.
- If you pause the device during a treatment, the device will automatically shut off after 5 minutes if treatment is not restarted. Up to 3 treatment pauses can be used to ensure undisturbed treatment.
- At the end of any treatment the device will automatically turn off after one minute.
These built in timers will not impact the device’s ability to provide twelve 45-minute treatments.
Step 1: Install the “Nerivio” App
- For Android devices: The Chinese version of the Nerivio app is now available and updated on the app stores of Huawei, OPPO, vivo, Xiaomi, as well as on AppGallery and the Meizu platform. Search for “Nerivio” and download the app.
- For iOS devices: Search for “Nerivio” in the App Store and download it.
Step 2: Connect the device to your phone
- Open the “Nerivio” app and create an account or log in.
- Enable Bluetooth on your smartphone.
- Turn on the device: A slowly blinking green indicator light (mostly on) means the device is powered on.
- Follow the app instructions to connect the device: Keep the device within 1 inch (25 mm) of your smartphone. You will be notified once the connection is established. A rapidly blinking green light indicates that the device is successfully connected to the app.
Nerivio is indicated for acute and/or preventive treatment of migraine with or without aura in
patients 8 years of age or older. It is a prescription use, self-administered device for use in
the home environment either at the onset of migraine headache or aura for acute treatment, or
every other day for preventive treatment.
The device should not be used by people with uncontrolled epilepsy and should not be used by
people with an active implantable medical device, such as a pacemaker, hearing aid implant, or any
implanted electronic device.
The device should only be applied on the upper arm over dry, healthy skin with normal physical
sensation and without any metallic implants or in proximity to cancerous lesions.
You can refer to our consultation guide for detailed information. We recommend first consulting a doctor online to determine whether the device is suitable for you. If it is, a specialist will contact you to confirm your appointment time.
Here you can download and print the user manual. The user manual is in English and is applicable for Nerivio iOS app software version 1.0.3 and Nerivio Android app software version 1.0.3. Here is the quick start guide . You can also watch important instructions for effective treatment here .
Each Nerivio device supports 18 treatment sessions, with each session lasting 45 minutes.
Yes, treatments with Nerivio can be performed without an internet connection and do not require Wi-Fi or mobile data. An internet connection is only needed when you sign-up for or sign-in to the app. You should stay signed into the app when closing the app after a treatment, therefore internet will not be required for successive treatments.
The device transmits electrical pulses. You will need to set the treatment intensity level by increasing it to the highest level that feels strong yet comfortable and painless. You may feel a strong sensation at first, but it will typically fade to a comfortable level after a couple of seconds. If the sensation is uncomfortable or painful, you should decrease the intensity. During the treatment you might experience a temporary sensation of warmth, local tingling, numbness in the arm, pain in the arm, or redness of the skin, which should disappear shortly after the end of the treatment. If you experience hand numbness and/or muscle twitching, try changing the location of the device on the arm.
For the best results with Nerivio, it is important to find the treatment intensity that is right
for you. With each use, set the Nerivio intensity so that it feels strong but comfortable for a
45-minute session.
The intensity can be adjusted in the app by tapping the ‘+’ and ‘-‘ buttons. Slowly increase the
intensity to a point of discomfort and then decrease it by 1%-2%. In clinical trials, intensities
lower than 20% were found to be less effective.
There is no need to readjust the intensity during treatment, but if the stimulation sensation on
your arm feels weak, you may increase it a little to bring it back to feel strong but not painful.
Nerivio can be used on either arm, regardless of the side of the headache.
Nerivio can be used to treat your migraines at any time. Our clinical data, however show that Nerivio is more effective when used right when the symptoms start, therefore it is recommended to start treatments with Nerivio within 60 minutes of the onset of aura or migraine headache. Nerivio can also be used for additional treatment sessions if the headache is not relieved or if it reoccurs. Please consult with your doctor for further instructions on use.
Nerivio can be used for both acute and preventative treatments.
Acute Treatment – Treating A Migraine Attack
- When needed
- 45 minutes treatment
Use Nerivio as often as needed to treat migraine attacks. For best treatment results, begin treatment as early as possible during a migraine attack.
Preventative Treatment – Treating for Migraine Prevention
- Every other day
- 45 minutes treatment
For migraine prevention therapy, treatment should be performed every other day. Treatments can be performed at any time during the day; the most important thing is to pick a time that is convenient for you and stick to it. The Nerivio app offers treatment reminders, so you never miss a treatment.
Combining Acute and Preventative Treatments
Nerivio can be used to prevent migraines and to treat migraine attacks as follows: use Nerivio every other day to prevent migraine and as needed to treat migraine attacks.
For example, if you choose to perform a preventative treatment every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday and:
- If you have a migraine attack on one of the days in which you do not plan to perform preventative treatments (e.g., Sunday) – conduct a 45-minute treatment when your migraine attack starts. Then continue with your preventative treatment on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday as usual.
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If you have a migraine attack on one of the days in which you are planned to perform
a preventative treatment (e.g., Monday) – you can do one of the two: if you already preformed
your preventive treatment and then had a migraine strike, you can perform another, acute
treatment. There is no limit to the number of treatments per day you can perform. If you haven’t
performed your preventive treatment yet, you can combine the treatments into one treatment (that
means, perform an acute treatment which will also serve as your usual preventative treatment).
In either case, continue with your preventative treatment on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of
this week as usual.
For preventive treatment, it is recommended to use the device every other day to maintain its effectiveness. Irregular use may affect the consistency and reliability of the preventive results.
Yes, the usage frequency is different. Acute treatment is used as needed, with each session lasting 45 minutes. Preventive treatment should be done every other day, also for 45 minutes per session.
As for stimulation intensity, during both preventive and acute treatments, you should adjust the intensity to the highest level that feels “strong but comfortable and pain-free.” Clinical studies have shown that effectiveness is significantly reduced at intensity levels below 20%.
If there is no relief or if the headache returns after using Nerivio for acute treatment, additional treatment sessions may be performed.
Make sure that the protective film was removed from the electrodes, that the device and the app are connected, and that the treatment has started and has not been stopped or paused. Set the treatment intensity level so it feels strong yet comfortable and painless by touching the ‘+’ button in the app. If the stimulation is still unfelt, it is possible that the electrodes are losing adhesion strength. With the device turned off, use your finger to gently rub one or two drops of water onto the gel surface of the electrodes to improve their adhesion. If the adhesive surface of the electrodes is damaged, you should replace the device.
Yes. Nerivio is a self-administered device that can be used during migraine headaches or aura episodes, or every other day for preventive treatment. It is suitable for patients aged 12 and older with episodic or chronic migraine, with or without aura.
Nerivio is not a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) device. Nerivio is a REN (Remote Electrical Neuromodulation) device. REN and TENS devices operate via different mechanisms of action, using different electrical pulses and targeting different stimulation sites.
Nerivio’s Remote Electrical Neuromodulation (REN) mechanism is specifically designed to activate conditioned pain modulation. Stimulation of the upper arm activates peripheral nerves, which in turn trigger natural pain-relieving processes in the brainstem. This leads to a systemic pain-inhibiting effect that impacts the primary site of migraine pain in the head.
This mechanism is different from that of TENS devices, which stimulate local nerves to compete with pain fibers at the same site of pain (a principle known as the gate control theory). Therefore, TENS must be applied directly to the site of pain, such as the head during a migraine attack.
Two hours after acute treatment with Nerivio, 66.7% of patients experienced pain relief, and 37.4% achieved pain freedom. At 48 hours post-treatment, the rates of pain relief and pain freedom were 39.1% and 20.7%, respectively—significantly higher than in the placebo group.
Nerivio is a well-tolerated acute migraine treatment with consistent and reliable efficacy, making it suitable for long-term use.
Real-world studies have shown that Nerivio is a safe and well-tolerated acute treatment for migraine, with stable and consistent efficacy over time. It is especially suitable for patients who cannot tolerate medication side effects or have contraindications to drug therapies. No long-term adverse effects or dependency have been observed. Reference: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-023-02697-6
Clinical data on preventive treatment of migraine indicate that Nerivio begins to show significant preventive effects within 2 weeks. After two months of preventive treatment, the number of monthly migraine days was reduced by an average of 4 days.
Nerivio is effective both as a standalone treatment and when used in combination with medications. In fact, combined use may further enhance treatment outcomes. However, please consult your doctor or a healthcare professional when being prescribed Nerivio to ensure safe and optimal use in your specific case.
Nerivio can significantly relieve pain within 2 hours after treatment (reducing from moderate or severe to mild or none, or from mild to none), as well as alleviate the most bothersome symptom.
Two hours after acute treatment, 66.7% of patients experienced pain relief, and 37.4% became pain-free. At 48 hours, pain relief and pain freedom rates were 39.1% and 20.7%, respectively, both significantly better than placebo.
Your privacy is very important to us. Your personal information will be stored securely and will not be shared without your consent.
Yes! The Nerivio app supports multiple Nerivio devices used by the same user. You can use them with the same smartphone or different ones. This is how this is done:
- Connect your first Nerivio to the app. The app is now paired with that device and you can control it using the app.
- You can connect a different device using the app with the same user using the “Connect” button on the treatment screen. Note that you can only connect to one device at a time so make sure only one device is turned on and that no treatment is in progress.
- You can have one Nerivio at home, another at work, and another to carry with you, if you so choose.
- Note that using the same Nerivio device with different user accounts will not work.
You may contact the medical institution where you previously received your prescription or purchased Nerivio, or you can add our “Headache Management Consultant” on WeCom for assistance. Please insert the WeCom QR code here：
Nerivio has been approved as a special-use medical device in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Hainan. Hospitals that offer Nerivio include Ruijin Hainan Hospital (affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine) and Ciming Boao International Hospital (Lecheng Branch of The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University). You can also add our “Headache Management Consultant” on WeCom for further consultation.At the same time, patients can also purchase through cross-border channels.