Non-Pharmacological Treatment of Primary Headaches-A Focused Review

Headache disorders are a significant global health burden, leading to reduced quality of life. While vast pharmacological treatments are available, they may be associated with adverse effects or inadequate efficacy for some patients, therefore there is a need for exploring alternate treatment strategies. This review gives a brief explanation and evaluation of some established and emerging non-pharmacological approaches for headache management, focusing on nutraceuticals and diet, acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), biofeedback, relaxation techniques, autogenic training, and neuromodulation. Special consideration is given to psychological interventions as they increase patient self-efficacy and provide strategies for managing chronic pain. Future research should focus on optimizing these therapies, identifying patient-specific factors influencing their effectiveness, and integrating them into holistic headache management strategies.

Automated summary

Headache disorders have a significant impact on global health, leading to a decline in quality of life. While there are numerous pharmacological treatments available, some patients may experience adverse effects or insufficient efficacy, necessitating the exploration of alternative treatment strategies. This review briefly explains and evaluates established and emerging non-pharmacological approaches for headache management, with a focus on nutraceuticals and diet, acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), biofeedback, relaxation techniques, autogenic training, and neuromodulation. Psychological interventions deserve special attention as they enhance patient self-efficacy and provide strategies for managing chronic pain. Future research should aim to optimize these therapies, identify patient-specific factors influencing their effectiveness, and integrate them into comprehensive headache management strategies.