Non-pharmacological approaches for migraine management: a mini-review

Migraine is a neurological condition resulting from intricate connections among cerebral excitability, the nervous system, muscular function, and the body's stress response. For various reasons, complementary and non-pharmacological interventions were explored for the management of migraine.

We conducted a targeted review of existing research using PubMed. Our search focused on studies that use various non-drug approaches, such as yoga, acupuncture, manual therapy, exercise, and behavioural therapies (e.g., biofeedback, cognitive behavioural therapy), that affect migraine sufferers. Our main goals were to determine whether these methods reduced the frequency of migraines, their duration, or the severity of pain, and to assess any adverse side effects based on high-quality studies, such as randomised controlled trials.

The studies we examined consistently showed that these non-drug interventions significantly cut down on how often people get migraines, how severe they are, and how much they disrupt daily life. Practices like yoga improve the autonomic stability, while acupuncture provided lasting relief from headache days. Regular exercise and manual therapy helped reduce muscle tension and headache frequency. Behavioural techniques, such as relaxation training and biofeedback, were particularly effective at helping patients cope with stress and improve their overall function. Importantly, these treatments had very few negative side effects.

Evidence from controlled studies indicates that traditional, behavioral, and manual non-pharmacological therapies offer effective, well-tolerated options for migraine management. These therapies may provide a vital alternative or addition to medication, helping us move toward a more personalised and holistic approach to migraine care.