TikTok hair clip trend for migraine relief lacks scientific evidence

A viral TikTok trend suggests that placing a hair clip on the eyebrow can reduce migraine pain. Users claim that applying a claw-style clip to the side of the face where the pain is felt provides relief when traditional remedies, such as ibuprofen or warm compresses, fail to work.

Medical professionals warn that there are no clinical studies to confirm the efficacy or safety of this method. However, doctors have proposed potential biological explanations for why some users might experience temporary relief. Dr. Stephen Thorp of Northwell Health’s Phelps Hospital noted that the pressure from a clip may affect the supraorbital nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve responsible for sensation in the forehead, scalp, and upper eyelid.

This mechanical pressure might act as a sensory distraction, temporarily overriding or altering the perception of pain signals sent to the brain. Neurologists emphasize that while the sensation of relief may occur due to this distraction, the method is not a scientifically proven treatment for migraines.