Tiger Balm as a treatment of tension headache. A clinical trial in general practice.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of a topical medication, Tiger Balm, in the treatment of acute tension headache.


METHODS
Randomised, double blind, three group comparison.


METHODS
Patients were recruited by newspaper advertisements and general practitioners who were also responsible for enrolment. Pre-treatment assessments took place in seven general practices.


METHODS
Groups were given either Tiger Balm, topical placebo or paracetamol.


METHODS
Headache severity and medication relief scales were measured by self-report.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in headache relief between Tiger Balm and placebo. The difference between Tiger Balm and medication was not significant.
Schattner
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P
Department of Community Medicine and General Practice, Monash University, East Bentleigh, Victoria.
Randerson
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D000208:Acute Disease; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002164:Camphor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005054:Eugenol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008610:Menthol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000700:Analgesics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008610:Menthol; D005054:Eugenol; D002164:Camphor