Migraine is one of the most prevalent health conditions in the world, yet it’s often misunderstood and even stigmatized. Part of the problem is its “invisible” nature; since others can’t see the pain, it’s easy to minimize the condition as “just a headache.”
That’s why it’s so important to not only learn more about headache and migraine disorders but be in regular contact with others who understand what you’re going through. These organizations can help you do just that.
Some offer educational materials and assist in finding doctors or clinics that specialize in migraine and headache care, while others host forums, support groups, and virtual meetings.
Here are some of the most helpful and informative resources for people living with migraine and headache.
American Migraine Foundation
The American Migraine Foundation is a nonprofit organization that promotes research, advocacy, and awareness for those living with migraine. The website is chock-full of patient guides and educational materials, and its Migraine Stories section highlights the real-life experiences of people living with migraine.
You can also join the organization’s Move Against Migraine Facebook community that’s run by doctors and other headache experts.
If you’re looking for a doctor, the find help tool on the website allows you to search by ZIP code to find a migraine and headache specialist in your area.
Brain & Life
As the patient education website of the American Academy of Neurology, Brain & Life contains a wealth of information about all kinds of neurological diseases, including headache and migraine.
The Brain & Life podcast — hosted by neurologists — tackles questions ranging from how to manage brain conditions to how to keep your brain healthy, and invites celebrity advocates and other people to share their stories.
The organization also issues weekly press releases about the latest scientific research from leading neurology journals and conferences.
Association of Migraine Disorders
The Association of Migraine Disorders develops tools and resources to help both healthcare providers and patients understand migraine better. Its Patient Resources guides provide educational videos that explain migraine treatments, among other topics, while the blogs and podcast provide practical tips as well as perspectives from real people and doctors alike.
Coalition for Headache and Migraine Patients
The Coalition for Headache and Migraine Patient (CHAMP) is a nonprofit organization that aims to support people with headache, migraine, and other related conditions. Its website contains everything from information on navigating insurance and disability benefits to an overview of various treatment options.
CHAMP also organizes Retreat Migraine, an annual conference for people living with migraine.
National Headache Foundation
The National Headache Foundation has been around for 50 years as a resource for not only people with headache but also their families and the doctors who treat them. On the foundation’s website, you’ll find headache FAQs, headache stories, the Complete Headache Chart (a glossary of many types of headache), and a list of headache specialists across the United States.
Its Operation Brainstorm program is designed specifically to help members of the military community find a treatment plan that works for them.
Clusterbusters
Clusterbusters is an advocacy organization that supports research for better treatment of cluster headaches, which are severe headaches that come in clusters (though a cluster headache isn’t a migraine attack). The organization has also developed a doctor locator to help identify doctors knowledgeable about this type of headache.
For decades, Clusterbusters worked to get the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to cover home oxygen therapy for individuals living with cluster headaches. It prides itself on providing help and support to people living with the condition.
The organization also provides guides for navigating insurance coverage as well as information about treatments.
Migraine Again
Migraine Again is an online community offering patient-focused tips and information for those living with migraine. Its website aims to equip readers with the tools to “survive, and even thrive, despite chronic pain,” and covers such topics as discrimination at work, sleeping well, and parenting with migraine. Migraine Again is part of the Everyday Health Group.
Migraine.com
The Migraine.com Community Hub is a place to read posts by people living with migraine, share your own migraine story, and participate in discussion forums. Topics include ways to manage a migraine attack at work, migraine attack warning signs, and how migraine affects your relationships. The community is moderated by people who’ve been impacted by migraine in some way.
Additional reporting by Laura McArdle and Ingrid Strauch.