Patent ID: 8560075

Claim:
A method for treating a headache of a patient, the method comprising: providing a portable head-band-mounted, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) having: a first electrode set having a plurality of non-invasive comb-like electrodes physically connected to a common electrode base and each electrically connected to a first signal output of the TENS, a second electrode set having one or more non-invasive comb-like electrodes physically connected to the common electrode base, wherein the first electrode set and the second electrode set are configured to be simultaneously placed in contact with the patient's head, and wherein the second electrode set is electrically connected to a second signal output of the TENS, and a headband-type assembly that, after it has been placed on the patient's head, provides hands-free operation that does not require further handling and secures the first electrode set and the second electrode set against the patient's head, such that the first electrode set is held against a first elongated posterior area of the patient's head, and the second electrode set is held against a second elongated posterior area of the patient's head, wherein the first area and the second area are in a cranial-caudal relationship to one another; supporting, using the headband-type assembly, the head-band-mounted TENS on the patient's head such that the patient is free to move while stimulation is being applied; receiving, by the TENS, an activation indication; and based on the activation indication, providing a plurality of electrical pulses between the first signal output of the TENS and the second signal output of the TENS such that the electrical pulses are applied between the first area and the second area in a vertical caudal-cranial direction transcutaneously to the patient's head, wherein the plurality of electrical pulses are configured to be charge-balancing and short enough in duration to stimulate nerves of the patient while minimizing stimulation of muscle contraction, in order to treat headache pain.