Role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Migraine Headache

There are no studies to prove the efficacy or safety of most alternative therapies. It is important to notify your health care provider if you are using any alternative therapies, no matter how insignificant or benign they may seem.

The role of complementary medicine in preventive treatment has been discussed above. Regarding treatment for acute headache, some complementary and alternative medicine treatments appear to be effective for treatment of migraine headaches from small studies but have not been proven by rigorous clinical trials. These treatments include:

• Acupuncture

• Herbs, vitamins

  • Butterbur - not to be used during pregnancy
  • Feverfew - not to be used during pregnancy
  • Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
  • Coenzyme Q10
  • Magnesium

Some patients have also reported benefit from the following treatments although there is limited information regarding their efficacy:

• Hypnosis
• TENS - Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (a hand held device that produces electrical signals through the skin and is reported by some people to reduce pain when applied to a painful area)
• Cervical manipulation
• Occlusal adjustment
• Hyperbaric oxygen for abortive affect of acute migraine