Advertisement

Therapies to improve quality of life with chronic migraine

Why quality of life is an essential consideration in the treatment of chronic migraine, with four therapies to consider.

A young woman talks with a therapist. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been found to be useful in the treatment of chronic migraine and headache disorders.

Updated on August 28, 2024

Chronic migraine is a neurological condition and headache disorder where a person experiences 15 or more headache days per month, with migraine symptoms on 8 or more of those days. For a diagnosis of chronic migraine, these symptoms must persist for at least 3 months. Fewer headache days and migraine attacks are classified as episodic migraine, though some people will alternate between states of chronic and episodic.

The primary focus of treatment for chronic migraine should be 1) preventing migraine attacks; and 2) being prepared for migraines when they occur. This will typically involve avoiding migraine triggers. It will also involve therapies that prevent and treat migraines:

  • A preventive therapy is taken continuously to prevent migraines from occurring.
  • An acute therapy is taken to shorten the duration and lessen the symptoms of migraines when they occur.

Quality of life is also an important consideration in the treatment of chronic migraine.

Chronic migraine and quality of life

Quality of life is a concept that refers to a person’s overall physical, mental, and social well-being, an assessment of what a person considers the positive and negative elements in their life. It can be difficult to define, as everyone prioritizes the different elements of their life in their own way.

However, quality of life is a relevant topic when managing a health condition, including chronic migraine. Chronic migraine is a potentially disabling condition that can impact many aspects of a person’s life, including health, relationships, work, finances, and mental health.

There are several therapies recommended for improving quality of life for people with chronic migraine. These therapies are not a substitute for treatment, but they may be worth discussing with a healthcare provider.

Regular exercise

Staying physically active promotes good overall health. Some studies have found that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and yoga can reduce migraine symptoms for some people. Because exercise can be a migraine trigger, and different forms of exercise carry a different risk of injury for different people, it’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider before starting a new exercise program.

Relaxation training

Stress is one of the most commonly reported migraine triggers. Relaxation training focuses on reducing the body’s stress response. It can involve breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, mindfulness practices, and autogenic training, which involves visualizations and repeated phrases. Relaxation training is different than scheduling time to relax (which is also helpful) and is typically guided by a healthcare provider.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychological therapy that is used in the treatment of many different health conditions. It involves working with a mental health professional, and it aims to change behavior and thinking—for example, changing how one responds to stress or pain. Research has found that CBT can help with chronic migraine pain and headache frequency.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback combines relaxation techniques with electronic sensors and machines that provide real-time information on things like heartrate, breathing, and muscle tension. The goal of biofeedback is to gain better awareness—and control—over what is happening in the body. It is a commonly used treatment for migraine and headache.

Article sources open article sources

Marco A. Pescador Ruschel and Orlando De Jesus. Migraine Headache. StatPearls. July 5, 2024.
Cleveland Clinic. Chronic Migraine.
Dac Teoli and Abhishek Bhardwaj. Quality of Life. StatPearls. March 27, 2023.
Richard B. Lipton, Lulu Lee, et al. Effect of Headache-Free Days on Disability, Productivity, Quality of Life, and Costs Among Individuals with Migraine. Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy, 2020. Vol. 26, No. 10.
Roy La Touche, Jose Fierro-Marrero, et al. Prescription of therapeutic exercise in migraine, an evidence-based clinical practice guideline. The Journal of Headache Pain, 2023. Vol. 24, No. 1.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Relaxation Techniques: What You Need To Know.
ScienceDirect. Relaxation Training.
American Migraine Foundation. Biofeedback and Relaxation Training for Headaches. November 12, 2016.
Cleveland Clinic. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. Cognitive behavior therapy.
Ji-yong Bae, Hyun-Kyung Sung, et al. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Migraine Headache: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Medicina (Kaunas), 2022. Vol. 58, No. 1.
NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. Biofeedback.
Mayo Clinic. Biofeedback.
Sigrid Hegna Ingvaldsen, Erling Tronvik, et al. A Biofeedback App for Migraine: Development and Usability Study. JMIR Formative Research, 2021. Vol. 5, No. 7.

Featured Content

article

What to ask before changing chronic migraine treatment

Before changing your treatment for chronic migraine, consider discussing these questions with a healthcare provider.
video

What are acute and preventative migraine therapies?

There are two different therapies to manage migraines. Learn the differences and why you may need both.
article

The risk of inadequate migraine treatment

Under-treating or over-treating migraines can lead to more frequent headache days.
article

How planning ahead can help prevent migraines

Why planning ahead is the first step to migraine prevention.
chat icon button