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Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staffBecause cluster headaches can be so painful, you may be tempted to try alternative or complementary therapies to relieve your pain. However, a recent survey of people with cluster headache who tried a number of alternative therapies — including acupuncture, acupressure, therapeutic touch, chiropractic and homeopathy — found that fewer than 10 percent found these therapies effective.
Since they're readily available over-the-counter, some people have turned to dietary supplements to try to ease the pain of cluster headaches. One such supplement is melatonin, which has been found to be present in decreased levels in people with cluster headache. But, melatonin therapy hasn't been proved to be an effective way to ward off these painful headaches. Be sure to check with your doctor before trying any type of supplement because they may interact with your prescribed medications.
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- Leroux E, et al. Cluster headache. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 2008;3:20.
- Headache: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/headache/detail_headache.htm?css=print. Accessed Dec. 29, 2008.
- Bajwa ZH, et al. Approach to the patient with headache syndromes other than migraine. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
- Treatment of primary headache: Cluster headache. National Guideline Clearinghouse. http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=6582&nbr=004142&string=clus. Accessed Jan. 2, 2009.
- Bajwa ZH, et al. Patient information: Headache treatment in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
- Magis D, et al. Neurostimulation in Chronic Cluster Headache. Current Pain and Headache Reports. 2008;12:145.
- Rossi P, et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with cluster headache: Results of a multi-centre headache clinic survey. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2008;16:220.
- Swanson JW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 12, 2009.
