When a migraine strikes, most people reach for pain relievers, a dark room, and silence. However, if those don’t work, some unconventional—and surprisingly effective—methods might offer unexpected relief.
One odd trick? Soaking your feet in ice water. The sudden cold draws blood away from your head and into your extremities, easing pressure. For added relief, place a warm compress on the back of your neck to further divert blood flow.
Another bizarre method involves the big toe. Rubbing diluted peppermint oil or menthol balm on it taps into pressure points connected to your head. The cooling sensation helps distract your brain from the pain signals.
Still in the cold therapy category, plunging your hands into ice water and squeezing a fist or stress ball may help reset your nervous system. The intense sensation overrides migraine pain through a phenomenon known as “gate control.”
For a different kind of stimulation, try the Valsalva maneuver—pinch your nose, close your mouth, and gently blow to equalize ear pressure. This activates the vagus nerve, which can help regulate pain and calm your nervous system.
Interestingly, sniffing raw garlic or fresh ginger can offer relief for some. These strong scents stimulate nerve endings and help reduce nausea—a common migraine symptom.
If you’re sound-sensitive, this next one might sound crazy: listen to binaural beats or low-frequency buzzing sounds. These specific audio patterns may calm overactive brainwaves associated with migraines.
Finally, one of the strangest yet calming options? Staring at yourself in a mirror. A quiet room, soft lighting, and deep breathing while gazing at your reflection can confuse the brain just enough to dull pain—a trick borrowed from mirror therapy used for phantom limb pain.
When migraines don’t play fair, sometimes the weirdest remedies work wonders.