Using A Pencil Can Help You Beat Your Migraines

There’s nothing worse than suffering a migraine. When you’re stressed, it’s common to clench your teeth, or grind them in your sleep. But now you can relieve some of those pressures – all by chewing on a pencil. According to Fred Sheftell, MD, director of the New England Centre for Headache in Stamford, Connecticut, when we clench up, we strain the muscle that connects the jaw to the temples, which can trigger a tension headache. By placing a pencil between your teeth — but not biting down hard — you relax your muscles, which reduces pain. Sheftell adds that the act of focusing on your bite can also help distract you from the pain while your jaw relaxes, easing the headache symptoms quickly. Although this handy home-remedy can be a drug-free lifesaver, it’s worth remembering it only applies to tension headaches and won't relieve pain caused by sinus pressures.