Placing a Bottle of Water on the Face to Combat Migraine... Does it Really Work?

SadaNews - More than a billion people around the world suffer from migraines, and because the cause is not fully understood, treatment can be challenging, as those affected often sit in a dark, quiet room waiting for the pain to subside.

A young woman recently revealed an odd and unexpected trick that worked for her, even when painkillers were ineffective. A neurologist confirmed to the New York Post that her method does make sense.

In a video that went viral on TikTok, Tilly Walker (@toeatilly) lies on her bed, facing up, balancing a full water bottle on her forehead.

She explained: "How do I sleep? There’s no medication that alleviates migraine, but balancing a bottle of water on my head reduces the pain."

She added that her discovery "changed her life."

While this simple balancing act may seem like an easy solution, experts affirm that there is scientific evidence supporting it.

Dr. Noah Rosen, a neurologist and director of the Northwell Headache Center, told the New York Post: "There is a long history of using pressure on the forehead to alleviate pain, from placing stones on the body to tightly binding a cloth around the head... Some benefits of this treatment may include diffuse inhibitory control of pain."

He continued: "There are devices trying to use a stimulator on the arm to relieve headaches."

For Tilly, pressure is key - she pointed out that the bottle must be full for the trick to work.

Rosen noted that the bottle could also serve as a tool for focusing attention, providing more comfort, and explained that "focusing on the bottle instead of the pain may help one to be present in the moment instead of fixating on the troubling abstraction."

Other commentators shared their quirky recommendations for relieving severe headaches, including consuming raw mimosa flowers, wearing an eye mask, placing potato slices on the forehead, and soaking the feet in hot water.

Other treatments include the "migraine meal," which consists of a large Coca-Cola and a serving of French fries from McDonald's.

One viral video, which gathered more than 3.8 million views, shows a girl at the drive-thru of the fast-food chain with text that reads: "I’m trying McDonald's fries and a Diet Coke because I have had a headache for 48 hours, and TikTok said it would help me."

Doctors explained that caffeine found in soft drinks can act as a nerve blocker, a substance that impacts nerve activity and blood flow to the brain. Sometimes this disruption can have a positive effect, but it’s akin to gambling since caffeine can also trigger migraines.

Additionally, the salt and sugar in the "migraine meal" may constrict blood vessels and affect blood flow to the brain.

Alongside fast food, experts have noted success in using magnesium to prevent this distressing medical condition.

Rosen affirmed that using a water bottle is generally a safe option for migraine patients, provided necessary precautions are taken, and added: "I advise caution when doing this, and don’t let it hurt your eyes or nose!"