Alternative and complementary treatments for migraine

Abstract

Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder that is associated with considerable disadaptive effect on patients. Despite the development of pharmacotherapy strategies for migraine, only one third of patients are satisfied with their overall treatment. Many migraine patients turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which is not usually considered a part of conventional medicine and is not always evidence-based. In practise, however, they are often used to improve the effectiveness of standard therapy or to provide alternative treatment. In addition, in CAM methods, the patient is actively involved in the choice of treatment strategies, and they have good adherence. The basic principles and approaches of CAM are increasingly being introduced into clinical practise. This review discusses the principles of CAM in the treatment of migraine as a holistic approach using lifestyle strategies and selected non-pharmacological treatments that have been shown to be effective and rational.