The Migraine Trust

@themigrainetrust.bsky.social

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The Migraine Trust is the national charity for migraine in the United Kingdom.

Orange and white writing on a dark blue background reads ’22-28 September Migraine Awareness Week 2025 #MigraineAwarenessWeek #MigraineMeans with an arrow graphic that says ‘ways to get involved!’
White text on blue background reads 'The Migraine Trust Symposium, 1969'. A black and white image shows an audience of men in suits as two people stand at the front, one being presented with an award.
White text with blue background layered over The Migraine Trust's instagram grid reads 'months?!'
White text with blue background layered over The Migraine Trust's instagram grid reads 'how many months have you been raising awareness of migraine?'
9. White and orange text on dark blue background reads ‘what are the possible downsides? The devices are not currently available on the NHS for the treatment of migraine but you can buy them privately. Some may need a prescription from a headache specialist or consultant. Migraine devices are not suitable for everyone. Generally, people with implanted medical devices (e.g. pacemakers) are advised not to use them.
8. White and orange text on dark blue background reads ‘what are the benefits of migraine devices? Migraine devices can be used either instead of or alongside migraine medication, which opens up more options for treatment. The devices are all self-administered meaning you can operate them yourself without a healthcare professional. Most of the devices are easily portable, meaning you can access treatment on the go.
7. White and orange text on dark blue background reads ‘Other devices, including TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machines for migraine. There are other devices available that some people find useful for migraine, including TENS machines. These are usually applied to the forehead. There is less published evidence on how well these devices work.’
6. White and orange text on dark blue background reads ‘Remote electrical neuromodulation (Nerivio). A device that you wear on your upper arm. You control it through an app on your smartphone. The device delivers electrical pulses to the nerves in your arm. This triggers a natural pain response by your brain, which can help with migraine. Nerivio may help to both treat and prevent migraine attacks.’
5. White and orange text on dark blue background reads ‘Single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (STMS mini). A device that you place at the back of your head to deliver a brief magnetic pulse to your brain. This is believed to interrupt the brain activity linked to migraine. You can use STMS mini to help treat migraine attacks when they occur. It may also help prevent migraine attacks if you use it daily.’
4. White and orange text on dark blue background reads ‘Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (gammaCore). A handheld device that you apply to either side of your neck. It delivers a mild electrical stimulation to activate the vagus nerve in your neck. This blocks pain signals.’
3. White and orange text on dark blue background reads ‘External trigeminal nerve stimulation (Cefaly). A device that you apply to your forehead to treat or prevent migraine. It produces tiny electrical impulses, which stimulate a nerve that runs above your eyes. This is called the trigeminal nerve. This can help to reduce head pain associated with migraine.’ Cefaly may help to reduce migraine symptoms if you use it during an attack. It may also help to prevent migraine attacks if you use it daily.’
2. White and orange text on dark blue background reads ‘What are migraine devices, how do they work? Migraine devices are instruments or appliances that you use to help treat or prevent migraine. They act on the nervous system to try and block the pain signals transmitted by nerves during a migraine attack. There are a few different types available in the UK that work in slightly different ways.’ An orange graphic with an arrow that reads ‘learn more’.
1. White and orange text on dark blue background with illustrated spotlight graphic reads ‘spotlight on…migraine devices’.
Channon, a woman with curly dark hair wearing a blue The Migraine Trust t shirt, speaks directly to camera
White writing on blue background reads: ‘Managing migraine at that young age and the stage of life I was in was very challenging. It was a very low period for me. I remember on one occasion crying for eight hours on and off because of how much emotional pain and physical pain I was in.” An image of Lily in an orange border looking at the camera.
4. White and orange text on blue background reads ‘What are the downsides? Some people can feel faint or dizzy after acupuncture. You may have some minor bruising or bleeding where the needles have punctured the skin. Acupuncture is not widely available on the NHS. Most people pay for treatment privately.
3. White and orange text on blue background reads ‘What are the benefits of acupuncture for migraine? For some people, acupuncture can be just as effective as medicines in reducing number of migraine days. Acupuncture may also help by reducing stress for some people, which can be a common migraine trigger. You can have acupuncture alongside migraine medications or on its own.
2. White and orange text on blue background reads ‘What is acupuncture for migraine, how does it work? Acupuncture is a treatment that uses fine needles inserted into the body, leading to the release of painkilling substances called endorphins. Acupuncture may help prevent migraine attacks in some people. For migraine, the needles may be inserted into several areas of the body, including points on your head, arms, hands, legs and feet. They may be left in place for 10 to 20 minutes.
Spotlight illustrations highlight the words ‘spotlight on… acupuncture for migraine’, written in orange text on a dark blue background.
White text on a dark blue background reads 'living with migraine as a trans person', below is an illustration of three people, looking toward the distance, one wearing a pink shirt, one a white shirt and one a blue shirt with long hair.
White text on dark blue background reads 'while going through menopause, out of the blue the visual aura started. Suddenly regular attacks became the norm, sometimes every other day. They can be very disabling and after I can experience depression. Louise'. An image of a woman with short light blonde hair alongside orange, green and dark orange sphere graphics.
A large sign on a black van being driven in Westminster reads 'Dear Chancellor, We fear the cost of cuts to disability benefits is too great.' The sign has the Scope logo on it.
White text on green background reads: ‘Living with ASD as well as migraine is challenging and I often find that sensory overload brings on a migraine attack’ – Seamus. An image of a man with long purple coloured hair and glasses alongside orange, dark blue and light orange circle graphics.
Orange and white text on a dark blue background reads ‘What are the downsides? Supplements may not be suitable for everyone (for example co-enzyme Q10 is currently not recommend during pregnancy). Any supplement may come with side effects for example magnesium supplements may cause diarrhoea and stomach pain in some people. Make sure to source your supplements from a reputable place and always check with your GP, pharmacist or specialist before starting a new supplement for migraine.’
Orange and white text on a dark blue background reads ‘What are the benefits of supplements for migraine? taking supplements alongside migraine medicines may help more than medicines alone. supplements can sometimes provide an alternative to medicines if you can't or don't want to take medicines.’
Orange and white text on a dark blue background reads ‘Co-enzyme Q10 is a natural antioxidant that may help to reduce frequency, severity and duration of migraine attacks. The dose of co-enzyme Q10 that might improve migraine is thought to be at least 100 mg a day but more research is needed.
Orange and white text on a dark blue background reads ‘Magnesium is a mineral that may reduce frequency and severity of migraine attacks. It may also help certain migraine medicines work better. There are several different forms of magnesium supplements including: magnesium oxide • magnesium citrate • magnesium glycinate • magnesium hydroxide. Guidelines usually recommend 400 mg to 600 mg magnesium per day to help with migraine.
Orange and white text on a dark blue background reads ‘Riboflavin (vitamin B2). Riboflavin is a vitamin that when taken daily for at least three months may help prevent migraine attacks. It’s been shown to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks and how severe they are for some people. Clinical guidelines in the UK for managing headache include riboflavin (400 mg a day) as a potential treatment for migraine.’
Orange and white text on a dark blue background reads ‘What are supplements for migraine and how do they work? Dietary supplements include nutrients such as vitamins and minerals usually taken to help improve general health. Some are thought to be helpful for migraine (though evidence is limited). These include: Riboflavin (vitamin B2), Magnesium, Co-enzyme Q10.’
Orange text on a dark blue background reads ‘spotlight on…supplements for migraine’, with a graphic of spotlights shining onto the text.
White text on dark blue background reads 'managing my migraine during Ramadhan can be hard. I fast from sunrise to sunset and the change in routine can be a challenge. - Rhianna. An image of a woman with long dark hair looking toward the camera.
Orange and white text reads 'March for Migraine. Walk, jog, cycle, wheel or even dance 100 miles in March, and aim to raise £100 to support people living with migraine.
A pink heart on a teal background with the words 'roses are red, violets are blue, if you think migraine's 'just an excuse' I've got news for you!', with an illustrated graphic of a person holding two thumbs down.
An orange graphic of hanging lanterns and stars against a dark blue background with white text that reads 'managing migraine during Ramadan. Do you have experience of managing migraine during Ramadan? If you'd like to share your story, or any tips for fasting during Ramadan, we'd love to hear from you!
Dark blue text on an orange background reads ‘runny noses, mind blacks and tummy troubles: symptoms you may not have realised were linked to migraine’. Teal coloured icons depict a sore stomach, a person sneezing and a person with a thought bubble containing a confused squiggle.
White and orange text on a dark blue background reads 'March for Migraine. Walk, jog, cycle, wheel or even dance 100 miles in March, and aim to raise £100 to support people living with migraine. #TeamMigraine.' Illustration of two people walking with a dog with a background of blue and green coloured shapes.
Orange text on white background reads 'if you're finding January tough, you're not alone. We're here for you'. A dark blue hear graphic is in the centre of the image.
A woman with blonde hair holding a kitten against a white background with green, orange and teal coloured circles. Text reads 'when I'd been ill with migraine, someone commented that I must have 'partied too hard'' - Sophie
A white notes-app style text box against a dark blue background reads: 'In: keeping a migraine diary, making the most of symptom free or low symptom moments, looking after our mental health. Out: criticising others for how they manage their migraine, being hard on ourselves for things we can't control, comparing our migraine journey to others', pushing through migraine symptoms because we feel we should
Images of four men, each facing the camera. Text reads 'Men's experience of migraine'.