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July 31, 2024 04:27 PM IST
Cold band therapy for migraines is an age-old trick. But does it really help? Find out from an expert here.
Recently a video went viral in which a woman shared her best advice to reduce migraine pain instantly. Migraine pain can be difficult to deal with, including pounding headaches, sensitivity to light and sound, and nausea. In the video, the woman demonstrated how to get instant relief from the pain – we need to put a cold towel on our head and a hot towel on the back and neck.
In this video, Dr. Kunal Sood explains the logic behind this tip in more detail. He explains that a cold towel can provide instant relief and placing a warm towel on the back and neck relaxes the muscles and improves blood circulation. This helps in increasing oxygen supply and removing toxins, thereby relieving migraine pain.
But is this remedy effective in curing migraine pain?
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Sheetal Goyal, neurologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, said, “Cold therapy is an age-old, easily available remedy to reduce migraine pain. This simple method works through multiple mechanisms. Applying cold causes vasoconstriction, which helps reduce blood flow and inflammation. It also reduces pain by slowing nerve conduction, reducing pain and reducing metabolic activity, thus reducing the demand for adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a chemical thought to be involved in migraine headaches.”
Also read: Migraine: How it starts and how to treat it
Effects of cold band therapy on migraine severity and duration:
Citing a 2020 study, Dr. Sheetal Goyal said, “Applying a cold compress to the forehead during a migraine attack can significantly reduce pain and improve overall health. Patients are often advised to try a quick home remedy consisting of a cold towel for the head and a hot towel for the neck and back. This combination can provide a balanced approach to migraine management, with cold therapy reducing pain and inflammation on the forehead and hot therapy relaxing the neck and back muscles, which can reduce stress-related triggers. While this is not a substitute for professional medical treatment, it is a practical, immediate remedy that can bring significant relief.”
Also Read: Home remedies for migraine: Can soaking feet in warm water help relieve pain?
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