We're 2 health editors who've suffered from migraines for years. These are the treatments we reach for again and again.
- We are two health editors who suffer from migraines.
- We've tried many products to help us manage our pain, and have found some that actually work.
We've suffered from migraines for years
Anyone who is a longtime sufferer of headaches or migraines knows that when you find someone else who also has them, there's a lot to talk about.
Our partners and friends often slowly back away when the topic comes up, because they've heard it all before — what we've tried, what's worked, what hasn't — so being able to talk about it can be a blessing. It can lead to solid recommendations, breakthroughs in care, and, of course, fewer headache days.
As health editors with migraines, not only do we know what we've tried personally, but we've also done our research on the topic and edited countless articles from other people with migraine woes.
We know our tried-and-true recommendations may not work for everyone, and you should always talk to a doctor before making any major changes to your own healthcare regimen, but they've worked for us. Here are the top migraine products we have in our toolkits.
Lacrosse balls to massage and ease pain
I like to use lacrosse balls — like this set, which comes with a smooth ball and one that's textured to dig a bit more into pressure points — to massage away tension in my neck and shoulders that often leads to headaches and migraines. I also use them on my temples and jaw, which I often clench, to release stress. Because they're small, they're easy to keep at your desk or carry with you in your tote bag; you can also throw them in the freezer so they're cold when you use them.
—Rosemary
Headache Hat that stays in place
When I have a headache, I typically like to lie down on one of those old-school ice bags. However, sometimes that's not practical; I need to be able to move around my house, yet I still want the relief that ice provides.
Wearing the Headache Hat helps keep the coolness relief of ice in place while I do dishes, fold the laundry, or work on my laptop. I am so reliant on mine that I actually have two, so that I know I always have a cold one when a migraine comes on in case I forgot to put it back in the freezer last time, or my pain lasts so long that the ice gets warm and I need to swap it out.
—Rosemary
A vibrating eye massager
Working as editors means that we stare at our computers for hours on end. That can contribute to having tired eyes, which sometimes triggers my migraines.
I recently tried this eye massager that has heat and music. I prefer it without the music since silence works better when trying to get rid of a migraine. I was surprised at how relaxing it was, and how the massage putting pressure in areas like temples and eyebrows helped distract me from the pain.
The first time I used it I actually fell asleep wearing it despite having an incredibly intense migraine. That's how relaxing it is.
— Conz
Botox for migraines
I used to get such severe migraines four times a week that once they'd come on, I'd be out for the day, completely unable to function. I could lie down in bed with the blackout curtains drawn, ice bags all around my head, and take pain medication, and it would only slightly take the edge off my discomfort.
Since I started getting Botox for my migraines a few years ago, I've noticed that not only have I been experiencing them with less frequency, but when I do get a migraine, it's easier to get it to dissipate with medication. However, Botox for migraines doesn't work for everyone and should always be discussed with and administered by a provider you trust.
—Rosemary
When everything else fails, THC provides relief
I've used migraine treatments and medication for decades. While they sometimes work, they also destroy my stomach and I end up with ulcers — a not-so-fun side effect of my specific medication.
In recent years I've discovered that marijuana really helps alleviate my migraines. When I sense one coming, I either eat a THC gummy or take some tincture. I make sure the dose is low enough that I can go about my day without being really high.
— Conz
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