New Treatments for Migraine Relief That Don’t Involve Medication

Migraine attacks are more than “just a headache.” If you suffer from these episodes, you know how intense and debilitating they can be. Left untreated, migraine pain and its accompanying symptoms can hijack not just your day, but your entire life.

While medication offers relief for some, there are different options in the migraine management toolbox. The good news? Current science-backed, non-pharmaceutical treatments are changing the game, offering real migraine relief without relying solely on pills.

Why Is Migraine Management Changing?

Traditional migraine medication doesn’t work for everyone, and when they do, it may come with side effects or lose effectiveness over time. More patients and providers are opting for non-pharmaceutical options, such as neuromodulation, IV therapy, and lifestyle changes.

Migraines involve complex changes in the brain, nervous system, and blood vessels, not just pain signals. As more is learned about these major headaches, the door is open to new treatment strategies that go beyond medication alone.[1,2]

Neuromodulation Devices for Migraine Relief

Neuromodulation is a safe, drug-free option for managing migraines, especially for people who don’t respond well to medication, want to lessen their reliance on it, or prefer a more natural approach. These treatments use gentle electrical or magnetic pulses to stimulate the nerves involved in migraine attacks, helping to calm overactive pain pathways in the brain.[3]

These advanced neurostimulators are wearable, portable, handheld, and non-invasive, although some types are surgically implanted during an outpatient procedure [4]

According to Practical Neurology, the FDA has approved several types of neuromodulators for migraine relief:

• Remote electrical neuromodulation (REN): Worn on the upper arm to activate natural pain-relief pathways in the brain.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): Sends mild electrical currents through the neck or forehead skin, blocking pain signals.
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): Delivers magnetic pulses to the brain, interrupting the onset of migraines.
• Vagus nerve stimulation: Stimulates the vagus nerve through the skin on the neck, reducing pain and inflammation.
• Combined Supraorbital, Supratrochlear, and Greater Occipital Nerve Stimulation: Targets multiple nerve branches involved in head and neck pain to reduce migraine severity and frequency.

IV Infusion Therapy: With or Without Medication

IV therapy can be used in different ways to help manage migraine symptoms. Some patients find relief with non-medication infusions, such as IV magnesium, electrolytes, and hydrating fluids, which may help calm nerve activity and naturally relieve headache pressure.[5]

Others may benefit from medication-based IV infusions, which can include anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-nausea medication, or other targeted treatments to break a severe migraine cycle.[5,6]
Always consult a migraine specialist to determine the safest and most effective option for your needs.

Lifestyle Mapping and Migraine Biofeedback

Lifestyle factors significantly influence the frequency and severity of migraines. Tools like lifestyle mapping—which involves tracking sleep, diet, hydration, stress, and environmental triggers (SEEDS)—can help patients identify and manage what’s contributing to their attacks.[7]

Therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and biofeedback are often used to support long-term migraine control, particularly in cases of chronic migraine or medication overuse headache.[8]

Biofeedback and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) work by teaching patients how to lower muscle tension and change their response to pain.[9]

These strategies aren’t quick fixes, but they empower people with migraine to take more control and potentially reduce their reliance on medications.[2]

Additional Non-Drug Approaches for Migraine Relief

In addition to neuromodulation, infusion therapy, and lifestyle strategies, several non-drug tools may help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. These approaches are often used in conjunction with medical care to provide long-term relief.

• Acupuncture: A complementary therapy that may help reduce migraine frequency and intensity.[10]
• Physical therapy or chiropractic care: Can be helpful for migraines linked to neck tension, posture issues, or musculoskeletal triggers.[11,12]
• Supplements: Magnesium, riboflavin (vitamin B2), Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and CoQ10 offer some benefits in migraine prevention.[10] (Talk to your provider before starting any new supplement)

Your Migraine Plan: Now Is the Time to Consider Non-Pharmaceutical Relief

You don’t have to settle for migraines running your life—or more specifically, ruining it. Canceled plans, skipped appointments, and missed opportunities can become a thing of the past when you incorporate these newer, non-pharmaceutical treatments into your migraine management plan. They are consistently helping people like you take back control, reduce attacks, and finally feel hopeful again. Talk with a migraine headache specialist about which drug-free options may be right for you.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical care. Seek emergency care for sudden, severe headaches or migraines with vision loss, confusion, fever, or neurological symptoms.

Resources:

1. Tepper SJ, Rabany L, Cowan RP, et al. Remote electrical neuromodulation for migraine prevention: A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial. Headache Journal [Internet]. 2023;63(3):377-389. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/head.14469. Accessed June 13, 2025. Available from: https://headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/head.14469
2. Migraine. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke [Internet]. Published January 20, 2023. Accessed June 13, 2025. Available from: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/migraine
3. Potter D. Latest Research on Migraine Treatments. WebMD [Internet]. Reviewed February 13, 2025. Accessed June 13, 2025. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/migraines-new-treatments
4. Neuromodulation for Migraine Treatment: An Overview. American Migraine Foundation [Internet]. Published April 02, 2020. Accessed June 13, 2025. Available from: https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/neuromodulation-for-migraine-treatment/
5. Patel PS, Minen MT. Complementary and Integrative Health Treatments for Migraine. J Neuroophthalmol [Internet]. 2019;39(3):360-369. doi:10.1097/WNO.0000000000000841. Accessed June 13, 2025. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7769000/
6. Swirble J. Preventing Migraines With Vyepti. WebMD [Internet]. Reviewed August 26, 2024. Accessed June 13, 2025. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/vyepti-migraine-prevention?mmtrack=21357-39287-16-1-2-0-1
7. Lifestyle Changes for Migraine Management. American Migraine Foundation [Internet]. Published May 06, 2021. Accessed June 13, 2025. Available from: https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/lifestyle-changes-for-migraine/
8. Robblee J, Starling AJ. SEEDS for success: Lifestyle management in migraine. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2019;86(11):741-749. doi:https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.86a.19009. Accessed June 13, 2025. Available from: https://www.ccjm.org/content/86/11/741#
9. Imlach F, Garrett S. Use of Non-Pharmacological Approaches for Migraine Treatment: Results from the Migraine in Aotearoa New Zealand Survey. Journal of Clinical Medicine [Internet]. 2025; 14(12):4023. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14124023. Accessed June 13, 2025. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/12/4023
10. Haghdoost F, Togha M. Migraine management: Non-pharmacological points for patients and health care professionals. Open Med (Wars). 2022;17(1):1869-1882. Published 2022 Nov 23. doi:10.1515/med-2022-0598. Accessed June 13, 2025. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9691984/
11. Lifestyle Strategies That Might Help Your Migraines. WebMD [Internet]. Reviewed March 20, 2024. Accessed June 13, 2025. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/ss/slideshow-nondrug-migraine-relief
12. Han X, Yu S. Non-Pharmacological Treatment for Chronic Migraine. Current Pain and Headache Reports. 2023;27. Accessed June 13, 2025. Available from doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-023-01162-x