Migraine devices
There are several different types of devices for migraine available in the UK. We give an overview here.
About migraine devices
Migraine devices are instruments or appliances that you use to help treat or prevent migraine. There are a range of devices that can help with migraine. You may choose to try them instead of, or alongside medicines for migraine. They won’t affect how your medicines work.
There can be many reasons why you may want to try a migraine device. These may include:
- you already use medicines for other conditions and want to avoid drug interactions
- you have been advised not to take medicines for migraine due to other medical conditions
- you haven’t found migraine medicines helpful
- you can’t tolerate migraine medicines (you get lots of side effects)
- you want to cut back on painkillers to avoid medication overuse headache
- you are planning a pregnancy and would prefer to avoid medicines
- you prefer not to take medicines for any other reason.
Always talk to your GP or specialist first before stopping any migraine medicines.
How migraine devices work
Migraine devices act on your nervous system. Nerves in your body transmit pain signals during a migraine. Devices for migraine work in different ways to try and block these pain signals. You might hear the term ‘neuromodulation’ used for these devices. This means they work by changing (‘modulating’) your nerve (‘neuro’) activity. This can affect how you process pain.
Devices can often be used to both treat and prevent migraine. They are all self-administered. This means you can use them yourself, or with the help of a carer, to manage your migraine. You don’t need a health professional to operate them.
Migraine devices available in the UK
Below is an overview of the main devices available for migraine in the UK.
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. Others you can buy without a prescription, or through filling in an online assessment. You can find out how to access each device below.
All the devices we cover on this page bear the CE-mark. This shows that they meet European safety, health and environmental protection requirements.
Cefaly is 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.
- Purchase a Cefaly device directly from the Cefaly website
gammaCore is a handheld device that you apply to one side of your neck. It works by delivering a mild electrical stimulation to activate the vagus nerve in your neck. This blocks pain signals.
gammaCore can be used for both migraine and cluster headache. It is only available on the NHS for cluster headache. You can buy it privately for migraine.
You can use gammaCore during a migraine attack to reduce symptoms. You can also try using it daily to prevent migraine attacks. But the evidence about whether it helps to prevent migraine attacks is less certain.
- Access gammaCore by completing the assessment on the gammaCore website
STMS mini is 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.
- STMS mini is available by private prescription from a headache specialist. Find out more from the manufacturer: eNeura
Nerivio is 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.
Nerivio is available via private prescription or via a guided questionnaire on the Pharmacy 2U website
Other devices for migraine
There are other devices available that some people find useful for migraine. These include TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machines for migraine. You apply these to your forehead, in a similar way to Cefaly. Some people find they help with their migraine symptoms. However, not all TENS machines have been designed specifically for migraine. And there is less published evidence on how well these devices work. As with any medical device, check with your doctor before trying a TENS machine.
Other devices may be in development or are not yet available in the UK. We will continue to publish updates when new treatments become available.
Who should not use a migraine device
It’s important to be aware that not everyone can use devices for migraine. This is specific to each type of device. But generally, people with implanted medical devices are advised not to use them. This includes things like a pacemaker, hearing aid implant or defibrillator. Some devices should not be used by people with certain medical conditions, such as epilepsy or heart disease.
Discuss this with your doctor before trying a new device. You should also check the patient information on the relevant website for the device before buying.
About our information
This information has been written by The Migraine Trust Information and Support Services team. It has been reviewed by our panel of expert health professionals and people affected by migraine.
Our information has been awarded the PIF TICK quality mark for trustworthy health information.
If you have feedback on our information, please get in touch at: feedback@migrainetrust.org
References for our information are available on request.
Last reviewed: February 2025 | Next review due: February 2028
