TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Health experts say there is a possibility that soaking your feet in warm water can help reduce migraine symptoms, although there is not much research to support this. This is related to a post on TikTok in September 2023 which claims that a simple way of soaking your feet in warm water can relieve pain. migraine symptoms.
“Maybe this works for some people. I am always open to hearing patients’ opinions about what works for them,” said Amit Sachdev, Medical Director of the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University, as quoted Health.
Different from ordinary headaches, migraine can cause moderate to severe throbbing pain that is usually concentrated on one side of the head. Migraine sufferers may also experience sensitivity to light and smells, nausea, or vomiting. Symptoms can last up to three days if not treated.
Therefore, sufferers need successful strategies to treat or prevent pain. In some cases, soaking the feet in warm water may be the solution, according to pain management expert and Medical Director of Non-Operative Programs at Spine Health Center, MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center, Medhat Mikhael.
Despite positive anecdotal evidence, there is not much conclusive data Soak your feet in warm water really useful. A small 2016 study investigated the treatment. The researchers observed 40 chronic migraine patients and divided them into two groups.
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Both groups were given conventional migraine medication but one group also received hydrotherapy, which means participants soaked their legs and arms in hot springs and had ice massages on their heads for 20 minutes every day. At the end of the 45-day study, the researchers found that participants in the hydrotherapy group experienced less pain than the control group. The results are promising but further research needs to be done.
Is it really effective?
It is not completely clear why soaking your feet in warm water can reduce migraine pain. However, experts have several hypotheses. One of them, according to Mikhael, is that when people put their feet in warm water, it can help circulate blood to the feet and lower legs, thereby reducing migraine attacks.
However, there are other possible answers as well. Nerve signals transmit pain, touch, vibration, and temperature. By activating nearby nerves, it can sometimes reduce the total number of pain signals reaching the brain and consequently reduce the pain the patient experiences.
Warm water can also be relaxing. When experiencing a migraine episode, people are stressed and anxious. Soaking your feet can help soothe and relieve some of the pain. Additionally, soaking your feet in warm water may serve as a way to distract yourself from the migraine itself. However, remember about the water temperature. Use a thermometer or finger to ensure the water temperature is tolerable.
“Don’t put your feet in very hot and boiling water, it could burn,” said Mikhael.
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2023-12-31 15:27:49
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