Scientists in the USA interviewed 73 patients with headache syndromes, attending a head and neck pain clinic, using a standardised questionnaire. Alternative medical therapies were used by 85% of patients surveyed for the relief of their head pain. In 60%, the therapies were perceived to have a benefit. Almost 100% of the patients were familiar with one or more of the presented alternative treatments. Eighty-eight per cent perceived at least one of the complementary treatments to be an effective remedy for headache pain.