Migraines are NOT your average headache.
And if you’ve ever had one, you know they can knock you down for hours, sometimes even DAYS.
Worse yet, there’s often no clear cause—or cure.
That’s why chronic sufferers, especially, YEARN for lasting relief.
Could that relief start in your FEET?
A voluntary “vacation”
There’s a new trend making its rounds, particularly on the social media platform, TikTok.
In fact, users are suggesting piping hot FOOT baths might just be the key to relieving HEAD (migraine) pain.
Let’s break this down…
I’m sure you’ve heard of people using cold compresses or heating pads to help relieve pain. And sure, science says temperature fluctuations can help blood vessels relax (rather than constrict, which amplifies pain).
But does targeting your feet… really help your head?
There’s conflicting insight.
One small study found that hydrotherapy—soaking your feet or icing your head—could help reduce headache frequency and intensity in migraine sufferers. Plus, some “experts” say heating your feet draws blood flow away from your head and down your body—whereas others say this simply isn’t true.
So, what’s the deal? And can we really trust our friends or grandkids when they tell us about the latest health trend on TikTok?
In this case, it’s very likely that soaking your feet provides a voluntary vacation (distraction) from the pain. And sure, that may offer relief to some sufferers… but not all.
Fortunately, I have a back-up plan…
Notorious migraine triggers
I used to suffer from migraines. And it was a living nightmare.
Fortunately, a lifestyle approach helped me conquer recurring attacks. I cleaned up my eating habits by switching to a high-fat, low-carb, Mediterranean-style diet (like my very own A-List Diet.)
Because remember how just yesterday we talked about the detrimental effects of ultra-processed foods? Well, nitrites—found in processed meats like bacon, sausage, and hot dogs—and monosodium glutamate (MSG) are particularly notorious migraine triggers.
So are artificial sweeteners.
And if you’re regularly consuming these things? You’re practically inviting IN migraine pain.
Of course, what you’re adding to your healthy, balanced diet is just as important as what you’re removing.
And one of the most important things to ADD is wild-caught fish and seafood, thanks to its omega-3 fatty acid content—which research suggests could work TWICE as well as preventing migraines than pharmaceutical drugs.
I recommend oily, dark, lean fishes like salmon, tuna steak, mackerel, herring, and sardines.
Want to learn more? Check out the November 2021 issue of my monthly Logical Health Alternatives newsletter (“Take control of crippling migraines—and reclaim your quality of life—without a single prescription drug”).
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Sources:
“TikTok users say hot foot baths relieve migraine pain. But does it actually work?” MDLinx, 10/13/2023. (mdlinx.com/article/tiktok-users-say-hot-foot-baths-relieve-migraine-pain-but-does-it-actually-work/11lO00cjMZD1jjNNvV8XKB)
Ramsden CE, et al. “Dietary alteration of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids for headache reduction in adults with migraine: randomized controlled trial.” BMJ2021;374:n1448.