The Migraine Trust

🧠 It’s #MigraineAwarenessWeek! Did you know NHS Grampian was the first health board to sign @themigrainetrust.bsky.social's Workplace Pledge?

www.nhsgrampian.org/news/2025/july/nhs-grampian-signs-the-migraine-trust-workplace-pledge

#MigraineMeans #MigraineSupport #WorkplaceWellbeing #ProudToBeNHSG

A huge thank you to everyone who worked on production of this campaign video, including those who shared their experiences of migraine to help shape the film 💙

Please share the film and help us spread awareness!

Stigma associated with migraine extends to workplaces. Migraine means more than ‘just a headache’. This week, we'll be challenging what migraine means: join us, share your own experience using #MigraineMeans, and let’s smash the stigma.

YouTube video by The Migraine Trust Migraine Means - The Migraine Trust 2025

We are kicking off #MigraineAwarenessWeek with our brand-new campaign film which illustrates what #MigraineMeans for many of the one in seven people living with the condition. youtu.be/19x0y14g8iI

💻 Join us for our Managing Your Migraine (in the workplace) session. Find out more and book your free place here: migrainetrust.org/events/manag...

💬 Sharing your migraine experience and joining the conversation online and on social media using #MigraineMeans

☕ Helping to tackle the isolation that is often a part of living with migraine, as well as raising vital funds, by hosting a #MigraineMeetUp. Sign up and download your fundraising pack here: migrainetrust.org/get-involved...

🖊️ Write to your MP: pop your postcode into our handy online tool, and you’ll find a template letter that you can add to with the contact details of your local MP pre-filled and ready to go! migrainetrust.eaction.org.uk/migrainemeans

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!’

📅 Join us from 22 to 28 September 2025 for #MigraineAwarenessWeek!
Migraine means more than ‘just a headache’. This awareness week, we're sharing the reality of what migraine means for the 1 in 7 living with it. Help us change the perception of migraine, by getting involved:

Sick of explaining that ‘migraine is not just a headache’? Most of us have people in our lives who -think- they know what #MigraineMeans but… don’t 👀.
Share this post, join us this #MigraineAwarenessWeek (22-28 September) & let’s share what migraine really means.

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 on blue background reads 'football fundraiser in aid of The Migraine Trust, 1983. A black and white image depicts several people wearing The Migraine Trust branded t shirts, posing with a football.

White text on blue background reads 'The Migraine Trust International Symposium (MTIS), 2018', accompanied by an image of a speaker on a stage beside the MTIS logo and a presentation screen, with an audience looking on.

White text on blue background reads 'Westminster parliamentary event, 2023' accompanied by an image of The Migraine Trust's Rob Music standing at a podium addressing an audience.

So, here’s to 60 years of The Migraine Trust!🎉 Check out these fantastic throwback photos (and yes, that is Bananarama in the 1983 picture!)

White text with blue background layered over The Migraine Trust's instagram grid reads 'months?!'

Since we were set up in 1965, we’ve been dedicated to helping people affected by migraine. Through awareness-raising, providing practical information & support & funding cutting-edge research, we've been & will continue driving positive change for the 1 in 7 people with migraine.

White text with blue background layered over The Migraine Trust's instagram grid reads 'how many months have you been raising awareness of migraine?'

Access to health information you can trust is so important. We're delighted to have our information page on migraine and menopause featured in Patient Information Forum (PIF)'s women's health resource collection!

You can check out our page here: migrainetrust.org/live-with-mi...

Managing Your Migraine (Complex migraine) - The Migraine Trust

Join us as Professor Fayyaz Ahmed covers complex migraine, the symptoms, treatment and management of these. This event will cover the rarer forms of migraines such as hemiplegic migraine and more!

Book you free place here: migrainetrust.org/events/manag...

You can find out more about medical devices for migraine on our information page: migrainetrust.org/live-with-mi...
Have you used any of these devices to help manage migraine? Let us know in the comments!

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.

Some devices should not be used by people with certain medical conditions, e.g. epilepsy or heart disease. It’s important to check with your doctor as to whether it is a suitable option for you & check the patient information on the manufacturer's own website before buying.

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’.

Devices for migraine 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. Check out our graphics for more on the different devices 🧵

1. White and orange text on dark blue background with illustrated spotlight graphic reads ‘spotlight on…migraine devices’.

Today, we're shining the spotlight on migraine devices (sometimes called ‘neuromodulation devices’), that can be used to help treat or prevent migraine. Brand names for devices are included for information purposes & does not mean The Migraine Trust endorses a particular product.

The final counts are in and the grand total raised during last month’s March for Migraine challenge is… 🥁 £26,192! Here’s Head of Fundraising, Channon, with a special message for everyone who got involved! #MarchForMigraine #TeamMigraine

Managing Your Migraine (Current drug treatments and upcoming treatments) - The Migraine Trust

Join us on 15 May for our next Managing Your Migraine event where we will be looking at current drug treatments and upcoming treatments.

We will be joined by Dr Shazia Afridi, a consultant neurologist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

Book a place here migrainetrust.org/events/manag...

"My attendance and grades at school plummeted because of migraine but I'm glad I didn't give up" - The Migraine Trust Lily shares her story of migraine interrupting her education and career ambitions.

3/3 "Though it took me extra time to get here, I am so grateful. To other young people struggling with migraine I'd say: academic results don’t define you & sometimes taking a different approach can lead you to the same end goal” Check out Lily's story: migrainetrust.org/news/my-atte...

2/3 "My attendance and grades plummeted. There was that anxiety about needing to get good grades." Lily ended up taking a different route toward her career goals than she had planned and is now slowly getting her life back:

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.

1/3 Lily’s life was totally upended when she developed chronic migraine as a teenager.
Experiencing almost daily migraine attacks, which lasted 10-12 hours each day, she noticed the impact this was having on her education and her mental health