Alternative headache treatments: nutraceuticals, behavioral and physical treatments.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review the available evidence for various complementary and alternative medicine approaches, including massage, in the management of headache disorders.
Results Summary
The abstract mentions massage as one of the physical treatments for headache management but does not provide specific findings on its efficacy or outcomes. The evidence for physical treatments, including massage, is described as not well-defined.
Population
Not specified (general headache disorder population implied)
Effective Dosage
Not available
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
magnesium | decrease | headache disorders | - | - | supporting the efficacy | #1 |
riboflavin | decrease | headache disorders | - | - | supporting the efficacy | #2 |
coenzyme Q(10) | decrease | headache disorders | - | - | supporting the efficacy | #3 |
alpha lipoic acid | decrease | headache disorders | - | - | supporting the efficacy | #4 |
feverfew | decrease | headache disorders | - | - | supporting the efficacy | #5 |
butterbur | decrease | headache disorders | - | - | supporting the efficacy | #6 |
marijuana | decrease | headache treatment | - | - | demonstrating the benefit | #7 |
lysergic acid diethylamide | decrease | headache treatment | - | - | demonstrating the benefit | #8 |
psilocybin | decrease | headache treatment | - | - | demonstrating the benefit | #9 |
cognitive behavioral therapy | decrease | headache disorders | - | - | supporting the efficacy | #10 |
biofeedback | decrease | headache disorders | - | - | supporting the efficacy | #11 |
relaxation training | decrease | headache disorders | - | - | supporting the efficacy | #12 |
acupuncture | decrease | headache disorders | - | - | supporting the efficacy | #13 |
oxygen therapy | decrease | headache disorders | - | - | supporting the efficacy | #14 |
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation | decrease | headache disorders | - | - | supporting the efficacy | #15 |
occlusal adjustment | decrease | headache disorders | - | - | supporting the efficacy | #16 |
cervical manipulation | decrease | headache disorders | - | - | supporting the efficacy | #17 |
physical therapy | decrease | headache disorders | - | - | supporting the efficacy | #18 |
massage | decrease | headache disorders | - | - | supporting the efficacy | #19 |
chiropractic therapy | decrease | headache disorders | - | - | supporting the efficacy | #20 |
osteopathic manipulation | decrease | headache disorders | - | - | supporting the efficacy | #21 |
There is a growing body of evidence supporting the efficacy of various complementary and alternative medicine approaches in the management of headache disorders. These treatment modalities include nutraceutical, physical and behavioral therapies. Nutraceutical options comprise vitamins and supplements (magnesium, riboflavin, coenzyme Q(10), and alpha lipoic acid) and herbal preparations (feverfew, and butterbur). Although controversial, there are some reports demonstrating the benefit of recreational drugs such as marijuana, lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin in headache treatment. Behavioral treatments generally refer to cognitive behavioral therapy and biobehavioral training (biofeedback, relaxation training). Physical treatments in headache management are not as well defined but usually include acupuncture, oxygen therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, occlusal adjustment, cervical manipulation, physical therapy, massage, chiropractic therapy, and osteopathic manipulation. In this review, the available evidence for all these treatments will be discussed.