THE 10 BEST MIGRAINE APPS - Migraine Treatment Centers of America
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THE 10 BEST MIGRAINE APPS MigraineCenters.com Dallas | Detroit | Houston | Nashville | Phoenix 1
THE 10 BEST MIGRAINE APPS
Written by Mark Gurarie
Migraine is a difficult condition to manage. Since there’s no definitive cure—only a
range of treatment approaches—and since symptoms and triggers vary from person to
person, the migraineur needs as many tools as possible to take it on. Luckily, in the era
of smartphones and devices, a number of special migraine apps have been devised to
help patients track, treat, and learn more about their condition. In some cases, these
tools serve as an important nexus for doctors and patients by making it easy to share
important health information. What’s more, some of these apps are responsive and
interactive, sending reminders, warnings, and headache forecasts to users.
Since there are quite a few of these available for iPhone and Android users, it’s important
to get a sense of what these apps do to figure out which app will work best for you.
We’ve rounded up 10 of the most popular migraine apps on the market to help you figure
that out. Let’s take a look.
MIGRAINE MIGRAINE iMIGRAINE MIGRAINE iHEADACHE RELAX HEADACHE CURELATOR MEDZAM BRAINWAVE
BUDDY COACH eDIARY MELODIES DIARY HEADACHE TUNER
iOS User
Rating (4.8) (4.5) (3) (3) (3) (4.8) (4.8) (4) (4.5) (4.9)
Free/$2.99
Free/$4.99 Free/$49.99
Price Free Free Free Free Free (premium
(premium)
Free $3.99
(pro version)
version)
Trigger
Tracking
Yes Yes None Yes Yes None Yes Yes Yes None
Information
Sharing
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes None Yes Yes Yes None
Predictive
Capability
No Yes No No No No No Yes Yes Yes
Therapeutic
Capability
No Limited No No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes
iOS/ iOS/ iOS/ iOS/ iOS/ iOS/ iOS/ iOS/ iOS/ iOS/
Platform
Android Android Android Android Android Android Android Android Android Android
Android User
Rating
4.5 Stars N/A 4.3 Stars 4 Stars N/A 4.5 Stars 4.7 Stars N/A N/A N/A
MigraineCenters.com
Dallas | Detroit | Houston | Nashville | Phoenix 2
MIGRAINE BUDDY
Free | Trigger Tracking | Information Sharing | iOS/Android Friendly
In terms of popularity and functionality, there’s no doubt that Migraine Buddy, made by Singapore
based company, Healint, is a true leader. In fact, this was considered the “Best Migraine App of
2016” according to Healthline. Its design comes from a collaboration between neurologists and
data scientists, so it’s a tool that aims to help both migraineur and medical staff. It allows users
to track symptoms, prodromes, triggers, medications taken, amount of sleep, lifestyle factors as
well as the frequency, duration, intensity, and location of headache. Reports from this app can be
customized and easily shared with doctors.
Why consider Are there any
Migraine Buddy? drawbacks?
• Prodrome Tracking: One of • Many Fields: There
the most important features aren’t too many people
of this app allows users to complaining about Migraine
easily log in “prodromes,” or Buddy, but some users have
the symptoms that precede been turned off by the sheer
migraine headache. volume of fields that need
to be filled out.
• Mapping Attacks: Users
easily record important • Too Much?: The very wide
information about duration, range of functions this
frequency and specific app can do may prove
location of headache overwhelming for some.
formation.
• Tough During Attacks:
• Recording Treatments: The Some users have found the
app provides a means for bright colors of the display
migraineurs to record what to be harder to handle
treatments they’ve tried and when an attack is actually
how successful they were. happening.
• Tallying Up Triggers: A Available for both iPhone and
more recent addition is a Android users—and updating
means to assess and track with new features all of the
migraine triggers. time—Migraine Buddy takes
users through the process of
• Sleep & Movement logging information in step
Tracking: Unlike others, this by step and has an easy to
app is able to also track understand display. Free to
the quality and duration download, there are certainly
of sleep, even when users plenty of reasons this app has
forget to log things in. taken the field by storm.
MigraineCenters.com
Dallas | Detroit | Houston | Nashville | Phoenix 1
MIGRAINE COACH
Free | Trigger Tracking | Information Sharing | Predictive Capability | Therapeutic Capabilities
This iOS app is highly-rated by users for a reason: not only can headaches be easily tracked
and recorded, Migraine Coach can even analyze the data to make sense of triggers. It sends out
personalized migraine forecasts, utilizing data to identify likelihood of attack. In addition, it offers
timely suggestions and lifestyle-coaching to aid in migraine management. As with some others,
reports can easily be exported and shared with medical staff, making this app a potentially very
powerful tool in taking on the condition.
Why is Migraine Coach so • iOS Only: Currently only Migraine Coach certainly lives
available for iPhone users. up to its name; despite some
well-regarded? flaws, users report finding it
• Ease of Use: Learning to very helpful in getting a sense of
navigate the app takes time, their own condition. In a sense,
• Personalized Functionality: and some users reported this app serves as a “virtual”
It’s able to key in on the occasional difficulty with ally in migraine management
data you provide to give a the interface. management.
highly comprehensive look
at your specific case.
• Predictive and
Preventative: The app
predicts likelihood of onset
of attacks and identifies
specific factors that may be
triggering them.
• Easy Sharing: The data it
collects can easily be shared
with medical staff.
Are there any potential
drawbacks?
• Daily Check-ins: This is an
app that you have to use
frequently; migraineurs
need to record information
daily for the first 60 days.
MigraineCenters.com
Dallas | Detroit | Houston | Nashville | Phoenix 2
iMIGRAINE
Free/$4.99 (pro) | Trigger Tracking | Information Sharing | iOS/Android Friendly
This app aims to keep the process of tracking migraine attacks as well as medications as simple
as possible. It doesn’t have as many features as others, but its interface is intuitive and allows
users to easily log frequency of migraine attacks, positioning and duration of headaches, other
symptomology, as well as efficacy of medications taken. It’s available for both iPhone and Android
users; while the former has a relatively lower rating from users, the latter is very well-liked.
What do people like What are some
about iMigraine? drawbacks?
• Well-Designed Interface: • Free vs. Paid Version: The bottom line: iMigraine
Given that this app is iMigraine is available in both has a few drawbacks but
intentionally a little more free and paid versions, but makes the process of tracking
narrow in scope, what’s the former has a limited symptoms and attacks
nice about using it is that capacity for tracking streamlined and easy. It can
everything is visible on one information. be useful tool in allowing
screen. both patients and doctors
• iOS Users: Those that gather even more information
• Ease of Use: Users are download the iPhone about the condition.
drawn to how easy and version of this app feel it
intuitive this app is to track doesn’t work as well.
important information about
their condition. • Limitations of Reporting:
Some aspects of the
• Sharing Made Simple: condition, such as relevant
Allows the patient to external factors, triggers,
become a more active part and side-effects cannot be
of the process and sends reported in iMigraine.
reports to help doctors
get a better sense of how
treatments are going.
• Great for Android: Users of
the Android version of this
app rate it very highly.
MigraineCenters.com
Dallas | Detroit | Houston | Nashville | Phoenix 3
MIGRAINE eDIARY
Free | Trigger Tracking | Information Sharing | iOS/Android Friendly
If an app should be anything, it’s straightforward; it should have a clear sense of purpose. When it
comes to tracking multiple aspects of migraine—of really getting the hard data—it’s hard to beat
the streamlined design of Migraine eDiary. Using its interactive calendar, users easily and quickly
report vital information about their condition, like migraine frequency, duration, triggers, medication,
and certain symptoms. Reports based on this data are easily shared with medical staff. Available for
both iPhone and Android phones, this free app has proved truly instrumental for many people.
What makes Migraine Are there some
eDiary so popular? drawbacks?
• Ease of Use: This app • Limited Scope: Migraine While Migraine eDiary has a
features a very easy to use eDairy has relative limited more limited function, it can be a
interface; information can functionality; it’s good for useful tool for the recording and
quickly and efficiently log reporting and tracking tracking of symptoms, triggers,
information. information, but offers little and headaches. Every piece of
in terms of other support. information is helpful when it
• Vital Data: Users are able comes managing migraine!
to track migraine frequency, • Difficult Details: Some
duration, triggers, users note that reporting
medications, and some the duration and positioning
symptoms all on one screen. of headache can be difficult.
• Personalized Reporting: • Small Fonts: The design
Data collected by the app of the text makes the app
can easily be exported and difficult to use, especially
shared, which can help in during attack.
treatment.
MigraineCenters.com
Dallas | Detroit | Houston | Nashville | Phoenix 4
iHEADACHE
Free | Trigger Tracking | Information Sharing
There’s got to be something going on with iHeadache because it ranks as one of the most popular
migraine and headache management apps. While this app is a little more limited in scope, it’s
known to be very easy to use and is an efficient way to keep track of headache symptomology,
including start and end times of attacks, severity, and location of pain. Both iPhone and Android
versions of this app allow for sharing of personalized reports with doctors.
Why choose iHeadache? • Gaps in Function: While
it’s great for categorizing
and learning more about
• Effective Design: This app headaches, there are limits
is easy to navigate and in terms of the types of
inviting to use; information patterns it can localize.
is easily logged in.
• Headache Dashboard: If you’re looking for a simple,
Users can keep careful convenient way to log
track of medications taken, information about headaches,
frequency and duration of this app can be truly
headaches, triggers, and instrumental. What it lacks in
other useful information. terms of functionality, it makes
up for in design.
• Daily Management: Like
other apps, iHeadache
creates a tracking calendar
to allow users to get a
sense of how their condition
impacts daily life.
What are some
disadvantages of this app?
• Reporting Scope: Level
of pain and exact location
cannot be adequately
pinpointed in this app.
MigraineCenters.com
Dallas | Detroit | Houston | Nashville | Phoenix 5
RELAX MELODIES
Free | Therapeutic Capability
In contrast to most other migraine apps, Relax Melodies isn’t designed to track or log in attacks.
Instead, its main purpose is to create soothing soundscapes that are designed to relieve stress
and shut out other triggers when migraines are forming. This app was primarily designed to help
people get to sleep, but it’s quickly gained a foothold in the migraineur community. Users can
select from a wide-range of sounds, from gentle guitar or piano, to frequencies and pulses that
are specifically designed to induce relaxation. Free and available for Android and iOS platforms,
it’s certainly worth a shot.
What do people like • Questions about Efficacy:
Further research is needed
about Relax Melodies?
to more fully understand
how sound therapy
approaches work and who
• Sound Wave Therapy:
they might help.
Though more research
is needed, evidence is
mounting that certain Trying Relax Melodies is a
sounds and frequencies can low-risk proposition; even if it
be therapeutic for migraine. isn’t that helpful with migraine
directly, it can certainly
• Relaxation as Medicine:
indirectly aid by promoting
Stress is often a trigger for
relaxation.
migraine; anything that helps
reduce this should help.
What are the limitations?
• Not for Everyone: While
many people swear by Relax
Melodies, it’s an approach
that won’t work for every
case. Doesn’t help with
tracking symptoms or
collecting data.
MigraineCenters.com
Dallas | Detroit | Houston | Nashville | Phoenix 6
HEADACHE DIARY (Lite and Pro)
Free/$2.99 (pro) | Trigger Tracking | Information Sharing | iOS/Android Friendly
Headache Diary aims to make tracking migraines (and other headaches) easy and optimized
for efficiency. Users log in important pieces of information like frequency of headache, triggers,
and symptoms, and this is not only saved and organized, but it can also be transmitted over to
medical professionals. It takes no more than five minutes a day to update and is available for both
iPhone and Android smartphone users.
Why should you to ER visits; with Headache
Diary, users easily provide
download it?
proof of migraine, something
which can help the medical
team provide care.
• Picking Up Patterns: The
design makes it easy to
Are there any
figure out broader patterns
of migraine attack, such as disadvantages reported?
certain seasons or climate
conditions during which
they’re more common. • Limited Entries: Headache
Diary is available in a free
• Keeping Tabs on the to download “lite” version,
Triggers: Headache Diary as well as a “pro” version
lets users track triggers
that you have to pay for. The
accurately, both for their
latter only allows you to log
own reference and for
10 entries.
doctors.
• Less Options: Users of
• Logging Medications:
the free version have less
Users log what medications
options when it comes to
they’re taking, and this
reviewing their headache
information is easily shared
with medical staff. history and logging things
like triggers.
• Productive Appointments:
Since medical care • Display: Some users found
providers have access the display of the app to be
to your diary through difficult to look at during
automated updating, they’ll migraine attack.
have a better sense of what
patients are experiencing.
Clearly, there’s something to be
• Emergency Room Support: said for Headache Diary, and it’s
For some, acute attacks can no wonder that thousands have
get so severe that they lead already started to use it.
MigraineCenters.com
Dallas | Detroit | Houston | Nashville | Phoenix 7
CURELATOR HEADACHE
Free/$49.99 (premium) | Trigger Tracking | Information Sharing | Predictive & Therapeutic Capability
While this app has many functions that are helpful to patients, it was originally designed as a tool
to assist in migraine research. This iPhone app allows users to create accurate logs of headaches
and associated symptoms so that they have a clear sense of their own condition. The information
is used to create an Individual Protector Map™ which highlights means by which users can prevent
migraine attacks form forming. Further, an Individual Trigger Map™ allows for triggers to be
accurately reported. It’s particular useful for getting a sense of the day-to-day impact of migraine.
Why try Curelator Are there drawbacks to
Headache? this app?
• Keeping Tabs on Triggers: • Only in iOS: Currently,
Allows users to keep track Curelator Headache is
of a broad range of external not available for users of
factors to determine if these Android devices.
are triggers.
• Diligence Required: Works
• Clean Interface: Users have best when it has data from
found the design of this app 90 or more days to work
to be particularly successful with, and users need to
and easy to employ; the update and add information
design makes this process of every day, which can be
recording game-like and fun. difficult.
• Useful Information: Helps
users figure out their own For those attempting to find
approaches to taking a more holistic view of their
on the condition, while migraine condition, Curelator
ferreting out factors that Headache can be especially
may not actually be causing beneficial. It’s data and data
migraines. analysis moves beyond just
tracking a few triggers to
• Information Sharing: Given provide a comprehensive
that this was originally view of what influences
intended to be more of a symptomology.
clinical research tool aid,
Curelator makes it easy
to share information with
doctors and medical staff.
MigraineCenters.com
Dallas | Detroit | Houston | Nashville | Phoenix 8MEDZAM HEADACHE MIGRAINE SYMPTOM CHECKER
Free | Information Sharing | Predictive Capability | Therapeutic Capability
Among the more interactive and responsive of these apps, Medzam Headache Migraine Symptom
Checker not only allows users to track their symptoms but can also analyze them to determine if
immediate medical care is needed. Users can log medications taken, symptomology, triggers, as
well as remedies that worked. It will also provide health and wellness suggestions based on this
data, becoming a good resource for those that want to learn more about their condition. This free
app is only available for iPhone users.
What are the advantages
of MedZam?
• Effective Scope: Users can Medzam Headache Migraine
track a great deal about Symptom Checker is a well-
their migraine, aiding liked, efficient app that can
in management of the serve as an additional ally in
condition. the struggle against migraine.
It’s timely warnings and tips,
• Predictive Capability: in particular, prove truly
This app can determine if instrumental to many.
migraine attacks require
medical attention.
• No Ads: Unlike other free
apps, this one is never
interrupted by ads.
Are there drawbacks?
• Occasional Glitching: Some
users have reported trouble
connecting to the server
with this app.
• Some Limitations: Certain
triggers and symptoms are
not recorded.
MigraineCenters.com
Dallas | Detroit | Houston | Nashville | Phoenix 9BRAIN WAVE TUNER
$3.99 | Therapeutic Capability | iOS/Android Friendly
As with Relax Melodies (see #6 on this list), the premise of Brain Wave Tuner is that you can
manage migraine (and other conditions) through the use of specially calibrated sounds. The hard
science behind these claims is somewhat lacking, but many migraineurs have found the three
migraine headache managing settings to be helpful in reducing severity of attack, while aiding in
prevention. Beyond headaches, themselves, the developers of this app also claim that the sounds
can promote better relaxation, sleep, memory, and overall brain function. This one is only available
for iPhones and is a $3.99 download.
What’s made this app so Why might you think twice? If you’re open to trying a range
of different approaches to
popular?
migraine management, Brain
• The Jury’s Out: While Wave Tuner is a good candidate
some researchers are to try. While its scope is
• Growing Evidence: Studies
noting links between narrower, the other applications
are reporting that sound can
certain migraine types and are worth exploring and may
influence brain function, and
therapeutic sounds, the
may aid in getting at the provide indirect benefits.
exact nature is not.
source of some migraines.
Clearly, your iPhone, Android, or
• Limited Functionality:
• A Gestalt Effect: Regardless other smart device can become
In contrast to most apps
of the exact mechanism at a helpful ally in the struggle
covered here, Brain Wave
play, relaxing and repetitive Tuner is meant as a against migraine. Whether
sounds can help promote therapeutic aid and doesn’t you’re more interested in an
relaxation, which helps help with learning more efficient means of journaling
against onset of attacks. about migraine cases. symptoms and triggers, would
benefit from a proactive and
interactive app experience, or
are ready to try technology-
driven therapies, there’s an
app out there for you. And the
future is bright; as research
continues to advance—and as
programmers and developers
continue to collaborate with
medical professionals—the
possibilities will only blossom.
MigraineCenters.com
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