A migraine is far more than an intense headache. According to Cleveland Clinic, it can cause debilitating, throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, that may leave you bedridden for days. Movement, bright lights, loud sounds and other triggers can worsen symptoms, which may include fatigue, nausea, vision changes, irritability and more.
Common migraine triggers include stress, hormonal changes, certain medications, sleep changes, overexertion, certain substances like caffeine or tobacco, missing meals, environmental triggers like hot weather and exposure to bright lights, loud noises and strong odours. Combining medications with lifestyle changes and self-help remedies may help manage migraine headaches.
Dr Sood recommends a simple hack that may help ease migraine pain. The technique involves placing a cold towel or ice pack on your forehead while applying a warm towel or heating pad to the base of your neck and upper back.
The cold pack helps target pain and inflammation, while the heat helps ease muscle tension and improve blood flow, offering targeted relief through two different pathways.
Moreover, this method may influence more than just inflammation and blood flow, but since migraines affect everyone differently, it may not work for everyone. Dr Sood highlights, “This will also improve oxygen delivery and remove toxins which can accumulate and contribute to triggering your migraine headache. It is important to note that treating migraine headaches can be complex and this may not help everyone.”
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
Dr Kunal Sood, MD, is a double board-certified physician in Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Medicine. He did his residency and fellowship in anesthesiology at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, followed by a one-year fellowship in interventional pain medicine. He later became the Medical Director of the office in Germantown, Maryland.
Eshana Saha is a fresh face in lifestyle and cultural journalism, bringing a refined, multidisciplinary perspective to the intersection of entertainment, fashion and holistic wellbeing. With less than a year of professional experience, she has quickly adapted to high-pressure editorial environments and currently works full-time with HT Media. Prior to this, she interned for nearly six months with Hindustan Times’ entertainment and lifestyle vertical, where she gained hands-on experience in digital reporting, trend analysis and editorial storytelling. Based in New Delhi, Eshana specialises in comprehensive coverage of major cultural moments — from international film press tours to the curated aesthetics of global fashion showcases, award shows and music-centred events. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from St Xavier’s University, Kolkata, and a Master’s degree in English from the University of Delhi, equipping her with a strong academic foundation and a keen ability to deconstruct complex cultural trends into clear, high-impact narratives. Beyond the red carpet, Eshana has developed a growing focus on health and wellbeing reporting. She bridges the gap between celebrity-driven trends and practical, evidence-informed lifestyle advice, ensuring her work remains both aspirational and grounded in editorial rigour. She has extensively covered the health implications of Delhi’s air pollution crisis, while also playing a key role in amplifying expert-led insights on women’s health and mental wellbeing, helping translate complex medical perspectives into informed, impactful public awareness. An artist at heart, she explores multiple creative forms — from visual arts and music to culinary experiments — and brings a creative’s eye for nuance, texture and detail to every story. Whether analysing runway dynamics or examining emerging wellness movements, she remains committed to accuracy and the highest standards of contemporary journalistic ethics.Read More
