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. DESIGN: Randomised, double blind, three group comparison. SETTING: Patients were recruited by newspaper advertisements and general practitioners who were also responsible for enrolment. Pre-treatment assessments took place in seven general practices. INTERVENTION: Groups were given either Tiger Balm, topical placebo or paracetamol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 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.