Best Ways to Get Rid of a Migraine

When a migraine strikes, it could last for hours or days if left untreated. While this condition depends on the person, there are ways to tackle it. Here’s how to get rid of a migraine through treatment devices and alternative remedies.

Methodology for Migraine Treatment Devices

Experts say up to 148 million people worldwide get migraines, making it one of the most common disorders. Lifestyle habits and genetics can contribute to their frequency and severity, so controlling them is challenging. Therefore, some people turn to migraine treatment devices. This equipment can effectively treat episodes without medicine.

What criteria are necessary to judge these devices? Here are a few attributes for qualification:

• Device type: The scope of these treatment devices is limited to wearables that mitigate migraines.
• Results: Studies and clinical trials confirm effectiveness, side effects and other critical metrics.
• Experience: How do users react when wearing using these devices? Comfort and ease of use determine how likely people are to continue this treatment.
• Reviews: Ultimately, it’s essential to know what others think. Testimonials provide specific details as to how effective these devices are.

How to Get Rid of a Migraine Attack With a Treatment Device

Migraines require quick action to mitigate the pain. If you don’t have access to medication, you may need to use a treatment device. Here are seven excellent options for this headache disorder.

1. Cefaly

Learning how to get rid of a migraine without a prescription is easier with Cefaly — a neuromodulation treatment device. This gadget requires no subscription or fees, thus fitting into budgets that require one-time purchases.

Cefaly targets your trigeminal nerve to fade your migraines and other symptoms. With consistent use, you can make it less sensitive. People use it daily to treat migraines and reduce their frequency, minimizing instances of attacks.

The appliance is effective for adults and has positively affected patients in trials. For instance, a 2023 Pain Management study found Cefaly was a safe preventive treatment for migraines.

Key Features

Gentle stimulation	Bluetooth compatibility
Seven-hour battery life	One-touch interface
Side effects are uncommon	Customizable sessions

2. WeatherX

WeatherX is among the most unique products available. These earbuds look like they play music, but they aim to mitigate your migraines. The brand measures barometric pressure in the atmosphere and notifies you when it changes. Barometric pressure can affect your body’s delicate balance, so this device can significantly help during weather shifts.

While WeatherX tackles migraines, it’s also effective for noise reduction. These discreet earbuds reduce noise by 20 decibels and reduce the risk of severe headaches.

Key Features

Easy to wear	Smartphone compatibility
Customizable sensitivity threshold	Timely phone notifications
Soft, hypoallergenic earbuds	Low-profile/children options available

3. Nerivio

While some migraine treatments target your head, the unique approach of Nerivio is your arm. By placing the device on your upper arm, you target the nerves via remote electrical neuromodulation. Then, your body knows to start conditioned pain modulation and stop the migraine in its tracks.

You control your Nerivio device through your smartphone, and you can use it every other day. With the band around your arm, you can easily hide it under your clothes, making it more discreet.

Consistent use can reduce migraine frequency and activate the pain pathways. A 2023 Patient Care study concluded Nerivio remains safe and effective after one year.

Key Features

Noninvasive	FDA approval
Prevention and acute treatment	Safe for children
Insurance eligibility	45-minute sessions

4. gammaCore Sapphire

Tackling migraines involves putting more control in your hands. With gammaCore Sapphire, you can take advantage of hand-held technology. The brand’s small device treats multiple types of headache pain and fits into your palm, so you can take it on the go and relieve migraines wherever you are. Find the pulse on your neck and let the device stimulate your senses.

The gammaCore Sapphire targets your vagus through mild electrical pulses. If necessary, you can increase the intensity until you feel your muscles contract. This intelligent device has a user-friendly display telling you how many simulations you have left and when a refill is necessary. A 2021 PharmaEconomics study found gammaCore effective for reducing headache intensity.

Key Features

Noninvasive	Sessions as short as two minutes
Twice-a-day preventive treatment	Improves airflow restrictions
Hand-held and portable	Also tackles cluster headaches, hemicrania continua and paroxysmal hemicrania

5. Relivion MG

Another effective device for migraines is Relivion MG. This headgear stands out because it demonstrates how to get rid of a migraine through your occipital and trigeminal nerves. Targeting their six branches stimulates the six nerves and mitigates severe headaches. While trigeminal nerve stimulation is standard, you might be hard-pressed to find occidental treatment in other devices.

Relivion MG works by placing the device around your head. The headgear is strategically designed with electrodes over your nerves to ensure the stimulation is efficient. Once you begin treatment, you can track it in the app and collect various environmental data. Then, the Relivion MG Cloud provides your health care provider with the necessary information to understand your body’s response.

Key Features

Relieves pain in as little as two hours	Customizable intensity for comfort levels
Smartphone tracking	Viewable stats on the app
Data is shareable with your physician	Comfortable on the head

6. Eneura sTMS mini

Among the most novel ways to treat migraines is single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS). This technology has become useful because you only need to apply it for a second. Once you feel the singular magnetic pulse, the session is complete.

You can find this treatment through Eneura sTMS mini Migraine Therapy. Apply the device as necessary for mitigation and prevention. With sTMS treatment, you target the occipital nerve that stretches your neck and scalp. The Eneura sTMS mini sends the pulse into your brain’s cortex, thus shortening or stopping your migraine’s intensity.

This approach could be beneficial if your migraines are challenging to treat. A 2022 Journal of Headache and Pain study found sTMS may be effective for the long-term prevention of chronic migraines and high-frequency episodic migraines.

Key Features

Noninvasive pulses	Automatic data recording
Easy to access, cloud-based diary	Used for prevention and mitigation
Quick application	Reliable support team

7. Soterix Galvanic Vestibular

Another option for migraine treatment is to focus on the ear. Through caloric vestibular stimulators, you can stimulate the inner ear and tackle migraines. The Galvanic Vestibular from Soterix accomplishes this feat with a noninvasive device you slip into your ear. With the headgear and GVS devices, you can treat your migraine for up to 20 minutes at a time.

Soterix’s GVS gadget is among the first of its kind, so it could be a path forward if you prefer this treatment style. Caloric vestibular stimulation is effective because it targets the vestibular nerve. By activating these pain pathways, you can acutely treat migraines and prevent their reoccurrence. A 2022 Journal of Neurology study found caloric stimulation could aid vestibular assessments, thus increasing accuracy in migraine diagnoses.

Key Features

Noninvasive	Customizable noises
Hand-held option available	Rechargeable battery
Simple interface	Peak current of 6 mA

Other Tips to Get Rid of a Migraine

Treatment devices are excellent for stopping these moderate-to-severe headaches. That said, they might not be accessible or comfortable for everyone. What are your other options? Here’s how to get rid of a migraine through alternative measures.

1. Calm Environments

When a migraine strikes, the first thing you need to do is foster a calm environment. The room should be quiet and dark, as the opposite can have significant effects. Experts say loud noises and bright lights can trigger a migraine and worsen your symptoms. Even strong smells can activate your trigeminal nerve and induce headache pain.

This strategy is more straightforward when you’re home and can access your safe spaces. When you feel a migraine coming, head to your bedroom or another empty room. Then, turn off the lights, TV and other electronic devices.

If you’re in public, act quickly to look for the safest options. Mitigating your migraine may require a trip to the bathroom or your car.

2. Pain Relievers

If you’re in a pinch, you could turn to pain relievers. These over-the-counter (OTC) options are often the first choice for people with migraines due to their accessibility. With the proper medication, you can block the chemicals in your brain that make you feel pain. Before taking anything, consult your health care provider to ensure OTC selection doesn’t interfere with other treatments.

While there are a few treatment options, some active ingredients stand out. For instance, acetaminophen and aspirin are go-to pain relievers for acute mitigation. A 2021 European Journal of Neurology study found these ingredients and caffeine exceeded the placebo and effectively treated migraines after two hours. Therefore, they should be under consideration.

3. Capsaicin

Researchers are constantly searching for how to get rid of a migraine through treatment. Sometimes, the treatment is right under your nose. For example, capsaicin is an unconventional but effective treatment for moderate-to-severe headaches. A 2023 Journal of Headache and Pain study concluded this chemical compound can desensitize nerve endings.

Where can you get capsaicin? The most accessible place is the produce aisle in chili peppers and habaneros. You can also find the compound in hot sauces and spicy ketchup. A similar option is using capsaicin cream, as it can relieve symptoms caused by your migraine.

4. Caffeinated Beverages

The Food and Drug Administration says 400 milligrams of caffeine daily is safe for consumption. While helpful for an energy boost, this substance may also benefit your headache treatment. Caffeine is conducive to migraine mitigation because it narrows your blood vessels and restricts blood flow.

If you don’t like coffee, there are other ways to increase your caffeine intake. Tea, dark chocolate, and sodas contain this substance and are easy to find in stores. If you don’t want a beverage, consider caffeine pouches or supplements. Some caffeinated products can introduce other health risks, so using them in moderation is essential.

5. Sleep Schedule

Sleep goes a long way toward your overall health, so the Sleep Foundation recommends at least seven hours nightly. While migraines can wake you up in the middle of the night, you can reduce their frequency with an improved sleep schedule and environment. Research has demonstrated a relationship between sleep and migraine frequency.

In 2024, the University of Arizona Health and Sciences published a study suggesting migraine attacks diminish when you improve your sleep health. The researchers found disrupted sleep increases the odds of an episode, so staying asleep throughout the night is essential. Avoid caffeine, nicotine and intense exercise before bedtime. Keep a consistent routine to boost nightly rest.

6. Temperature Therapy 

Some people wonder how to get rid of a migraine quickly without ingesting anything. If you need a more immediate and accessible fix, consider temperature therapy. This solution involves placing a hot or cold compress on your head or neck to numb the pain. For cold compresses, you could use ice packs, cold pads or pouches. Hot options could include towels or gel therapies.

Like caffeine, ice packs narrow your blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the head. Therefore, you may feel a numbing sensation after a few minutes. Conversely, a hot compress dilates your blood vessels to increase blood flow and relax the muscles. Applying it to your head or neck can decrease stress and other triggers for migraines.

7. Essential Oils

Essential oils positively affect the mind and introduce your home to pleasant smells. These products can also diminish migraine symptoms through their natural properties. While some may think it’s a placebo effect, research indicates otherwise. A 2023 Korean Journal of Family Medicine study found no significant difference between essential oils and placebo applications.

Which scents are the best for easing migraines? Popular aromas like lavender and peppermint can be among your go-to options. Rose, basil, chamomile and basil should also be in your rotation. Menthol is a key ingredient in this treatment because it relaxes your muscles. If you like these scents, try essential oils in a diffuser for migraine mitigation.

How to Get Rid of a Migraine Through Treatment

Eliminating a migraine is easier said than done. However, treatment options have evolved in the past few decades. Now, you can access devices that stimulate nerves in your head, arms and other body parts. If you want a quicker fix, there are at-home options — such as caffeine and cold presses — to treat your migraine.