"THANK YOU" — People Who Suffer From Headaches And Migraines Say This One Easy Trick Makes Them Instantly Go Away
Millions of TikTokers have recently been putting their feet in hot water to see if it'll alleviate their migraines or headaches. Turns out, it has successfully worked for a lot of people!
Well, board-certified emergency medicine physician Dr. Joe — who recently explained the dangers of eating leftover pasta and rice — made his own TikTok explaining why this trick may work:
First of all, he says that hot water dilates blood vessels in your legs, diverting the blood flow from the already dilated blood vessels in your brain.
Another reason Dr. Joe says that soaking your piggies in hot water may reduce symptoms of a migraine/headache is that hot water can relax muscles and relieve tension.
Hot water has also been known to modulate your body's perception of pain, according to Dr. Joe.
Lastly, it can have a placebo effect. "You feel like you're doing something about the headache, and therefore, the headache goes away," he said in his viral TikTok.
BuzzFeed spoke to Dr. Joe to learn a little more about this phenomenon. "The idea behind using hot water for your feet to alleviate migraine symptoms is rooted in the principles of hydrotherapy and the body's vascular system. Immersing the feet in hot water can help dilate blood vessels, which may facilitate increased blood flow away from the head, potentially easing migraine symptoms," he explained.
So, why feet specifically? He said that when you just take a hot shower, the heat is more generalized and may not specifically draw blow flow away from the head. "However, it's essential to note that the scientific evidence for this technique is limited, and it may not work for everyone," he added.
When it comes to how hot the water should be, Dr. Joe said the water should be "comfortably hot but not scalding." He suggests keeping the water between 100°F and 110°F for safety.
We also wondered how long you would need to soak your feet to feel the results. "It varies from person to person, but generally, 20 to 30 minutes is a good starting point. It's crucial to monitor how you feel during the soak and adjust the temperature and duration as needed," he said.
All that being said, Dr. Joe still advises prescribed medications for migraines first. "Over-the-counter or prescription medications are formulated specifically to target the mechanisms behind migraines and are generally more effective and faster-acting. Hydrotherapy can be considered a complementary treatment but not a replacement for medical treatment," he shared.
In addition to prescription medications and OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, Dr. Joe said some other things that may help alleviate migraines or headaches are caffeine, a cold or warm compress, stress management techniques, sleep, exercise, and dietary changes.
1. Caffeine can be a useful tool in migraine management for some people, but it may trigger migraines in other people, so always consult your doctor before use.
2. A cold or warm compress on the forehead or back of the neck has been known to help reduce symptoms.
3. Stress management techniques like deep breathing and relaxation exercises may help.
4. Adequate sleep and regular exercise have been proven beneficial.
5. Dietary changes may be helpful, like avoiding known triggers such as alcohol and certain foods.
Lastly, Dr. Joe emphasizes that migraines are complex conditions with multiple potential triggers and symptoms, varying significantly from person to person. "What works for one individual may not work for another. Therefore, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare provider for a personalized treatment plan, especially if migraines are frequent or severe."
Have you tried soaking your feet in hot water for migraine/headache relief, and if so, did it work? Let us know in the comments!
...And you can follow Dr. Joe on TikTok and Instagram for more medical information!
