Alternative Headache Treatments: Nutraceuticals, Behavioral and Physical Treatments
Headache The Journal of Head and Face Pain February 25, 2011 Christina Sun‐edelstein, Alexander Mauskop 71 citations
A growing body of evidence supports the efficacy of various complementary and alternative medicine approaches for managing headache disorders. Nutraceutical options include vitamins and supplements (magnesium, riboflavin, coenzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid) and herbal preparations (feverfew, butterbur). Some reports demonstrate the benefit of recreational drugs such as marijuana, LSD, and psilocybin, though this is controversial. Behavioral treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy and biobehavioral training (biofeedback, relaxation training). Physical treatments include acupuncture, oxygen therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, occlusal adjustment, cervical manipulation, physical therapy, massage, chiropractic therapy, and osteopathic manipulation. This review discusses the available evidence for all these treatments.