What are they? Do they work? Should you get one?
Have you heard of a new device called a ‘migraine hat’? Sounds weird, right? Migraine hats (sometimes called headache hats) are made of lightweight material that gently compresses the skull, covers the eyes, and uses cryotherapy to aid in symptom reduction for migraines and headaches.
These nifty contraptions provide two proven relief methods for head pain. The inside contains gel capsules that provide cold therapy all over the skull and the hat’s fabric extends over the eyes which blocks out light, providing sensitivity relief. To get the cooling effects of the hat, all you need to do is throw it in the fridge or freezer before you need it.
You may be wondering - do these things actually work? According to Edmund Messina, M.D., medical director of the Michigan Headache Clinic, “Icing the temples may help with pulsating headaches since this targets the artery that supplies blood to the lining of the brain, and lowering the temperature of the blood passing through this area might help alleviate some of the throbbing.” Many migraine hats on the market include gel capsules all over in order to target areas such as the temples, sinuses, and the back of the neck. Icing the back of the neck has been known to provide the most relief for many patients. According to health.com, “A small 2019 study in Neurology and Neuroscience Reports found that when women applied ice to their necks, their pain intensity from tension-type headaches went down and they felt the pain less frequently throughout the month.”
About 12% of Americans suffer from migraines, and these hats are a relatively cheap way to relieve symptoms. The average price is currently around $20-30 but may increase or decrease in the coming months based on demand. If you have a health savings account, you may be able to use it to pay for one of these useful tools.
Because migraines and headaches are a very individualized experience, this treatment option may not work for everyone. As with any new treatment, over the counter or not, it is recommended to consult with your doctor before starting.
If you do decide to try one of these migraine hats out, we’d love to hear about it! Drop us a comment or reach out to us on social media via LinkedIn or Facebook. As a healthcare patient advocacy organization, our main goal is relieving pain points, whether those be physical (like a headache or migraine) or logistical (like coordinating appointments).
This post is not sponsored by any organization and is purely informational.
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