The top 10 non-drug therapies for migraines

March 27, 2023

Most people are right in not wanting to take medications. They can have serious or just very bothersome side effects, they help only some people and can be expensive. Fortunately, there are many ways to control migraines without drugs. Here are the top 10 non-drug therapies for migraine headaches among several dozen described in my book, The End of Migraines: 150 Ways to Stop Your Pain.

Non-drug therapies

  1. Aerobic exercise
  2. Meditation
  3. Magnesium
  4. CoQ10
  5. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  6. Acupuncture
  7. Nerivio
  8. Cefaly
  9. Riboflavin
  10. Boswellia
Written by
Alexander Mauskop, MD
Continue reading
July 3, 2026
Alternative Therapies
Essential Oils Can Change Your Brain
The science of essential oils and the brain is still young, but the findings so far are more compelling than many people realize. Brain imaging studies show that common scents like rose, lavender, peppermint, and lemon produce measurable changes in brain structure, brain activity, and pain processing. These studies are small and preliminary, and essential oils are not a substitute for medical treatment. But the evidence suggests that what we smell can influence the brain in real, physical ways
Read article
June 30, 2026
Alternative Therapies
Why I Ask You to Breathe Out When I Inject Botox
Incorporating slow, prolonged exhalation into procedures such as Botox injections offers a practical, evidence‑informed way to reduce discomfort and anxiety. By aligning the injection with the out‑breath, we engage parasympathetic and attentional mechanisms that help the brain process pain signals less intensely. This simple breathing cue does not replace careful technique or other comfort measures, but it complements them and gives patients an active role in their own pain control. As research on breathing and pain continues to grow, integrating this kind of mind–body strategy into migraine care becomes an increasingly important part of modern neurology.
Read article
June 29, 2026
Migraine status
Intravenous treatment for severe migraine
When you need intravenous drugs, in an ER or our office
Read article
Insights from Dr. Alexander Mauskop on headaches and migraines
Subscribe to the Blog.
Subscribe
Subscribe