Migraines are a health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite being somewhat normalized, it remains a debilitating condition. According to Medline Plus, as reported on its website and supported by the National Library of Medicine, migraines are caused by abnormal brain activity, the origin of which is still unknown. In societies like Spain, more than five million people suffer from migraines, according to data from the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN). To combat this pain, many people resort to analgesics and other more natural remedies, such as the one recommended by emergency medical technician Miguel Assal, which involves soaking the feet in hot water.
Most medical experts believe that migraines originate in the brain and involve nerve pathways and chemicals
There’s a lot of talk about how the causes of migraines aren’t entirely clear, as many factors influence them, such as stress, diet, noise, and temperature. Most medical experts believe that migraines originate in the brain and involve nerve pathways and chemicals. This change, in turn, affects blood flow in the brain and surrounding tissues. In this regard, many medical specialists have joined social media to share their knowledge and contribute to the public’s understanding.
Assal is one of those experts who makes simple recommendations that can be done at home to relieve certain ailments. In this case, through a TikTok video, Assal says, “Turn on the hot water, fill a bucket, and put your feet in,” and continues, “The heat dilates the blood vessels in your feet and directs blood away from your head and towards your extremities. And that’s when the magic happens: peripheral vasodilation. This reduces the pressure on the blood vessels in your head, which are often dilated during a migraine. It will also help you relax and reduce stress.”
This trick isn’t miraculous
People who suffer from migraines often try different methods, such as using eye masks, being in dark and quiet rooms to relieve the pain, and avoiding stressful or noisy situations, among others. For this reason, tricks like this one end up going viral, since many people suffer from this problem and are constantly looking for remedies to soothe it. This trick isn’t miraculous; it won’t necessarily work for everyone or for all types of migraines. But even if soaking your feet in hot water doesn’t reduce the pain of a migraine, it can always help clear your mind. As Assal explains, when you soak your feet in hot water, signals are sent to the brain that can help relieve stress levels.
It’s quite common to try different tricks to soothe headaches, but that doesn’t mean they all work. Just as not all medications have the same effects on everyone, something similar happens with these kinds of tricks. Soaking your feet in hot water might relieve the feeling of stress and therefore reduce the headache, but it might not produce the desired effect. The expert assures us that heat on the feet helps relax the central nervous system, as well as reduce stress and muscle tension, which can be a great help.
Symptoms and specific characteristics of each person cannot be generalized
In any case, and as always, we recommend consulting a doctor. This trick, for example, may be completely harmless, but it’s worth remembering that countless videos circulating on social media advise health-related tricks that can actually be harmful. For this reason, and considering that each case is unique, it’s recommended to consult a professional. Symptoms and specific characteristics of each person cannot be generalized or exaggerated, as we’re talking about health, something best left unsaid. That said, if you suffer from migraines or very bothersome headaches, we recommend seeing a specialist, or if you follow tricks or tips on social media, make sure the person on the other end is a qualified professional.
