Migraines & Headaches Health Center

Some people find that complementary treatments reduce how many migraines they have or how bad the migraines are.

Talk to your doctor about whether you should try:

• Acupuncture. This involves putting very thin needles into the skin at certain points on the body. Research shows that acupuncture can help prevent some headaches.¹
• Biofeedback. This is a way to control a body function-such as muscle tension-that you don't normally control.
• Butterbur. This herb has been shown to help prevent migraines in some people.²
• Feverfew. This is an herb that-some small studies show-may help prevent migraines in some people. But most experts aren't sure how well it works for migraines.³
• Magnesium, which some doctors recommend. Studies have found that some people with migraines have low levels of magnesium in the brain.⁴
• Menthol. There is some evidence that a menthol solution rubbed on the forehead can stop or reduce migraine headache pain.⁵
• Riboflavin (vitamin B2) and coenzyme Q10. In small studies, both of these have been shown to help prevent migraines.⁶