A doctor has shared a simple hack that could potentially ease or even eliminate migraines. With his expertise regularly posted online, Dr Kunal Sood, MD, an expert at the National Spine and Pain Centers in Germantown, Maryland, reached out to millions with his advice on TikTok.
In a viral TikTok video, he highlighted how soaking your feet in hot water can be beneficial for migraine sufferers. Dr Sood elaborated by saying: “If you suffer from migraine headaches, here’s a hack to try which has zero side effects and may help. Soaking your feet in hot water – but why exactly does this help?”
Continuing his explanation, Dr Sood added: “This will dilate the blood vessels in your foot, pulling blood away from your head, which will ease the pressure on the blood vessels causing your migraine. Which will in turn decrease your pain.”
The clip amassed over 16.8 million views, where several people mentioned being advised to try a daith piercing as a migraine remedy. A daith piercing goes through the ear’s inner cartilage fold and is sometimes recommended for migraine relief, although WebMD emphasizes there is no proven evidence that such piercings affect pain receptors or reduce migraine pain, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Some migraine sufferers have shared their unconventional methods for relief, with one person detailing their technique: “I put my hands and feet in hot water with a frozen bag of peas on my neck. migraine gone in about 10-15 min with no gross feeling after.”
Another individual found success with Dr Sood’s advice, stating: “I did this last week. Soaked my feet for ten minutes in hot water and it worked a treat. I had a mild headache for about four hours after.”
A third person has been using a similar approach for years: “I’ve been doing this for years, I sit on the edge of the tub and run the hot water.”
The NHS describes a migraine as a severe headache presenting a throbbing pain on one side of the head and may be accompanied by other symptoms. Warning signs known as an aura may precede a migraine, including:
- feeling very tired and yawning a lot
- craving certain foods or feeling thirsty
- changes in your mood
- a stiff neck
- peeing more
Sometimes there can be warning signs before a migraine kicks in, known as an aura, involving:
- problems with your sight, such as seeing zigzag lines or flashing lights
- numbness or a tingling that feels like pins and needles
- feeling dizzy
- difficulty speaking
Typically, migraines can last from two hours to three days, with certain symptoms (like extreme fatigue) appearing up to two days before and subsiding after the headache ends. The NHS also suggests several strategies to alleviate migraines:
- try sleeping or lying down in a darkened room during a migraine
- try to avoid things you know trigger your migraines, such as certain foods
- stay well hydrated and limit how much caffeine and alcohol you drink
- try to keep to a healthy weight
- eat meals at regular times
- get regular exercise
- get plenty of sleep
- try to manage your stress
If you’re experiencing severe or worsening migraines, or they last longer than usual, occur more than once a week, or are difficult to control, the NHS advises consulting your GP.