Many people who live with migraine have their go-to remedies to get relief at home and avoid seeing their healthcare provider for every attack. Some take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, while others use heat, ice, and other at-home strategies alongside migraine treatments.

If you’re wondering whether to use heat or ice for your migraine attacks, the answer depends. Different options work for different people, so you may need to use trial and error to figure out what helps you feel better. You can also talk to your migraine specialist to see what they recommend.

Here’s what you need to know about using ice and heat for migraine relief.

Does Ice or Heat Provide More Relief for Migraine?

Heat and ice work differently when it comes to relieving your pain:

• Heat raises the blood flow in the affected area, which can help heal aches and relax tense muscles.
• Ice, on the other hand, reduces the blood flow to an area by constricting your blood vessels. This can help lower inflammation and numb pain.

What helps one person’s migraine symptoms may not work for the next. Some people prefer the cooling effect of ice, while others find better relief with heat. You might even try using both or alternating between the two.

One MyMigraineTeam member shared, “[I use] cold on the top of my head and heat on my neck.”

If you want, you can experiment between the two and keep track of how you feel using a migraine tracker app. This will help you figure out what works best for your individual migraine patterns.

Ice May Be More Beneficial for Migraine Relief

While individual preferences differ, ice might be more suitable for migraine symptoms. Some health experts recommend ice to dull throbbing headache pain due to its numbing effect. You might also want to use ice to lower inflammation or swelling.

Cold may also help with relieving symptoms like nausea and vomiting, though more research is needed to confirm the science behind it.

A few members of MyMigraineTeam use ice so regularly that it’s part of their routine. One shared, “Another migraine, ice pack, coffee, and meds morning.”

However, cold can make migraine pain worse for some people. One member explained, “This ice head cap helps sometimes. It’s too cold other times.”

Another member noted that ice helped but not as a long-term solution. They shared, “Yeah, ice packs help for sure, but it seems the moment I remove them, the headaches return.”

Alternatively, ice might not work for some migraine cases at all.“I don’t know about the ice pack because ice hurts more than it does me good,” a member shared.

When Heat Might Provide Relief

Heat may be most useful when you that suspect muscle tension — for instance, in your neck and shoulders — is causing or contributing to your migraine attack. Applied heat may relax these tight muscles and ease the pain.

A number of MyMigraineTeam members use heat to help with their migraine pain. One shared, “I find heat my best friend. Experiment with what works for you. Our bodies are all different and we all react differently.”

Another made an investment to more easily access heat for their symptoms. They shared, “I find heat helps me the best. I have a heated mattress pad.”

Note that heat itself can trigger migraine attacks for some people. A member explained, “I, too, get heat-induced migraines. I spend most of the summer indoors because of this! It’s a real drag.”

If your migraine attacks are heat-induced, then using a heating pad may not be for you. You know your body the best. Figure out what’s best for you when it comes to migraine relief.

How To Use Ice and Heat Safely

Heat and ice should be used properly so you can get the most of their benefits without risking your safety. Above all else, follow guidance from your healthcare professional.

Applying Ice

There are lots of different options when it comes to using cold therapy to alleviate migraine symptoms. You can use:

• An ice pack
• A cold mask, wrap, or cap
• An ice towel
• A cold massager
• Cold compresses, which are recommended by the American Migraine Foundation

If you don’t have any of these items, you can easily make one at home.

Ice packs work well since ice can mold to the affected area of your body. To make your own, put some ice in a plastic bag, then partially fill the rest with water. A bag of frozen vegetables can also work.

Be careful not to apply the pack directly to your skin. Use cloth or a paper towel to wrap the pack before placing it on your body.

Most cold masks, wraps, and caps come with their own instructions. In general, you’ll store them in the freezer until you need them, then use them accordingly.

Most of the time, you need to apply ice therapy for only 10 to 15 minutes. Avoid using an ice pack on one spot for more than 20 minutes at a time, especially if the area feels particularly sensitive or numb.

Applying Heat

Heating pads, heat wraps, and moist heat are the most common forms of heat therapy for migraine relief. As with ice, you shouldn’t apply heat to a particular spot for longer than 20 minutes at a time.

Heating pads can be plugged in to offer heat through power or be applied to the body as an adhesive. If you’re using a plug-in heating pad, add a layer between your skin and the pad to prevent burns.

If you’re using a stick-on heating pad, pay close attention and remove it if the heat becomes uncomfortable.

You can buy heat wraps, or you can make a hot compress by wetting a towel with warm water. Once your wrap is ready, you can drape it over the part of your body that needs the targeted heat.

You can also simply soak in a warm bath, hot tub, or shower. Aim to keep the water temperature under 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Join the Conversation

On MyMigraineTeam, people share their experiences with migraine, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Do you prefer ice or heat when it comes to finding relief from migraine attacks? Let others know in the comments below.