Complementary and Integrative Treatments for Migraine
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Key Questions
- What do we mean by complementary, integrative, and alternative medicine?
- Is this different from CIM (complementary and integrative medicine)?
- What are the broad types of treatment approaches in complementary and integrative medicine?
- What kind of evidence is used to support the use of CIM and any alternative approaches?
- Without double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials, how are these approaches evaluated?
- What are the best and most effective supplements for migraine? Are there any to avoid?
- How is safety determined when it comes to alternative and complementary medicine?
- Which natural or CIM therapies do you and your colleagues use with your patients?
- How do you suggest patients open a discussion channel with their doctors on safe and effective CIM?
- Will insurance cover the cost of these therapies and treatments?
- What are the pros and cons of these treatments?
- What are the red flags when it comes to alternative treatments, and the possibility of being scammed by “providers”?
- How do you integrate complementary and integrative therapy with more medically driven approaches, like CGRP antagonists, triptans, or neuromodulation devices?
- How sound are the new studies on omega-3s and nanocurcumin?
- What is EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), and is it effective?
- Is psilocybin a possible treatment for migraine?
- Are electrolytes worth the hype?
- What kind of health care practitioners are available to those wanting a CIM approach?
- Is CIM appropriate for all patients?
- Is mindfulness a safe approach for everyone?
Interview Notes
Find more about Elizabeth Leroux, MD, FRCPC and her work here:
- Migraine Canada
- Migraines: More Than a Headache by Eizabeth Leroux, MD, FRCPC
- Study on omega-3
- Study on omega-3 and nanocurcumin
- MWS Treatment Directory
- Study on dietary omega-3 fatty acids
- Clusterbusters
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Treatments Mentioned
- Acupuncture
- Breathing exercises (breathwork)
- Butterbur
- Cannabis
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Cold packs/ice packs for head
- CGRP monoclonal antibody
- CoQ10
- Damascus rose oil
- Dietitian/nutritionist
- Earplugs
- Electrolytes
- Emotional freedom technique (EFT)
- Essential oils
- Exercise
- Feverfew
- FL-41 Glasses
- Ginger
- Jacobson’s relaxation technique
- Kinesiology
- Lavender
- Magnesium
- Meditation
- Mind-body therapy
- Mindfulness
- Mint (roller & edible)
- Nanocurcumin
- Neuromodulation devices
- Omega-3
- Physical therapy
- Psilocybin
- Psychotherapy
- Sleep
- Triptans
- Turmeric
- Vestibular therapy
- Vitamin B2
Please note: The Migraine World Summit’s aim is to bring you a variety of perspectives and expertise, independent of bias or judgment. Alternative theories presented in this video have not been medically reviewed. Views expressed in this interview do not necessarily represent the views of the Migraine World Summit. Please always consult your health care professional and do your own research before making changes to your treatment plan.
Elizabeth Leroux, MD, FRCPC
Headache Specialist
Montreal Neurological Clinic, Canada
Dr. Elizabeth Leroux is a well-respected headache neurologist currently practicing at the Montreal Neurological Clinic. Previous affiliations include the Montreal University Headache Clinic and the University of Calgary’s Calgary Headache Assessment and Management Program (CHAMP).
Dr. Leroux is past president of the Canadian Headache Society, the founder and chair of Migraine Canada, and the founder of Migraine Quebec. She is the designer of the Canadian Migraine Tracker app, and lead of the Continuing Medical Education (CME) mastermind program on migraine. Her current focus includes therapeutic education, cluster headache, vestibular migraine, and patient advocacy.
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The Coalition For Headache And Migraine Patients (CHAMP) is an organization that provides support to people with headache, migraine and cluster diseases who are often stigmatized and under-served.
Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) is a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults and the preventive treatment of episodic migraine in adults. Prescription only. Don’t take if allergic to Nurtec ODT. The most common side effects were nausea, stomach pain/indigestion. See Important Safety Information and Prescribing Information at nurtec.com.
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