Nontraditional therapies may complement traditional migraine treatments recommended by your health care team, especially if you have chronic migraine pain. Possible options include:

• Acupuncture. Clinical trials have found that acupuncture may be helpful for headache pain. In this treatment, a practitioner inserts many thin, disposable needles into several areas of your skin at defined points.
• Biofeedback. Biofeedback appears to be effective in relieving migraine pain. This relaxation technique uses special equipment to teach you how to monitor and control certain physical responses related to stress, such as muscle tension.
• Meditation and yoga. Meditation may relieve stress, which is a known trigger of migraines. Done on a regular basis, yoga may reduce the frequency and duration of migraines.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy may benefit some people with migraines. This type of psychotherapy teaches you how behaviors and thoughts affect how you perceive pain.
• Herbs, vitamins and minerals. There is some evidence that the herbs feverfew and butterbur might prevent migraines or reduce their severity, though study results are mixed. Butterbur isn't recommended because of safety concerns.

Work with your care team to make informed decisions regarding complementary and alternative treatments. Even if your care team can't recommend a specific practitioner, the team can help you understand possible risks and benefits before you try a treatment. And don't stop or change your conventional treatment — such as the dose of your prescription medicines — without talking to your care team first.