Migraine can be described as a throbbing or pulsating headache, which can last from a few hours to several days, shared Dr Natasha Tipnis, Consultant Neurologist, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, in a conversation with the team of OnlyMyHealth. According to a study published in ‘Neurologic Clinics’ approximately 12% of the global population suffers from migraine, out of which 1-2% suffer from chronic migraine
Migraines are usually so frequent that they become a part of a person’s regular life, demanding lifestyle changes and home remedies, in addition to modern medicine. If you suffer from migraines, here is a home remedy you can try.
Tips For Instant Migraine Relief
One hack that has been trending online, and has been backed by medical experts, is soaking your feet in hot water to ease the pain of a migraine headache.
It is believed that migraines are caused by an imbalanced autonomic nervous system, which controls non-voluntary body functions, such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. To explore this connection, a group of researchers from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHN), Bengaluru, assessed whether hydrotherapy through a combination of hot arm and foot baths could provide relief for migraine patients.
Also Read: Is it Sinus or Migraine? Read On To Know The Difference
Their study participants enjoyed hot arm and foot baths for 20 minutes a day over 45 days. Studying the result, the researchers revealed that the participants experienced a significant decrease in the impact of headaches, as well as a reduction in headache frequency and intensity after the treatment. They also observed positive changes including a decrease in heart rate and fluctuations between two heartbeats.
Foot Bath For Migraine
Recently, a clip of Dr Kunal Sood, an Interventional Pain doctor from Maryland, United States went viral on social media platforms. In the clip, he confirmed the foot bath method for easing the pain of a migraine headache.
Calling it a method that has “zero side effects,’ he explained, “The hot water dilates the blood vessels in your feet, pulling blood away from the head. This eases the pressure on the blood vessels causing your migraine, and hence, decreases your pain.”
View this post on Instagram
Several viewers filled the comment section, claiming that this hack worked for them. “I did this last week. Soaked my feet for 10 minutes in hot water and it worked a treat. I had a mild headache for about four hours after,” said one user on TikTok.
Also Read: From Promoting Sleep To Relieving Stress: Expert Lists Health Benefits Of Soaking Feet In Warm Water
In conclusion, soaking your feet in hot water can be a valuable addition to your migraine treatment. The NIMHN study concluded that such hydrotherapy not only reduces the frequency and intensity of headaches but also improves the balance of your autonomic nervous system, making it a promising approach for migraine relief.
