From vinegar with bicarbonate to garlic under the pillow, home remedies have been for generations a popular resource for calming pain and treating discomfort. Today, those beliefs travel faster than ever: they have passed from the whisper between neighbors to the Tiktok algorithm. Between viral recipes and striking promises, there is one that stands out for how strange it is: wrapping body parts with aluminum foil to relieve pain.
The phenomenon. On platforms such as Tiktok and Instagramthe tips that recommend using aluminum foil on the body to relieve pain or improve circulation have become viral. Often these publications are presented as secrets that conventional medicine He doesn’t want to reveal. Some people claim that the effect is more powerful if combined With ointments like Vicks Vaporubwhile others simply describe it as a “natural remedy”.
The trend has caught so much attention that various digital media echoed, either to explain How has it popularized either Explain how to do it without major contrast. It is another example of how contents without scientific basis propagate easily thanks to short videos, personal testimonies and a language that sounds convincing. Hence half the world, stunning the leg on aluminum foil there is only one scroll away.
The science behind this. There is no scientific evidence that supports the use of aluminum foil to relieve pain. Only in an investigation Published in Journal of Inflammation Research The use of different materials between this aluminum is mentioned, but the conclusion is that it has no therapeutic effects proven in humans. It is mentioned that the relief that some people They claim to experiment It is probably due to the placebo effect.
For his part, Dr. Ubaid Ur Rahman, in statements to Thip Media, It is clear about it: “I want to clarify the confusion about a recent statement that wrapping body parts with aluminum foil can relieve pain. This is not backed by scientific evidence.” And add an important warning: “Using aluminum foil can be harmful, since it can cause tissue damage and allergic reactions. It is essential not to delay proper treatment or replace it with unseed methods.”
A relief that is not. The placebo effect can explain part of these experiences. From Harvard Health They explain that it is not about “positive thinking”, but a response from the body that can relieve symptoms when we believe we are receiving a treatment. But that does not turn aluminum foil, nor justify its use as a substitute for medicine. Belief can generate a temporary improvement, but the risk is in what is stopped in the meantime.
He no longer catches us by surprise. In social networks, other trends are not to be amplified that, under the pretext of “natural”, are implying real risks. Such as Apple vinegar consumption As a “morning suck”, promoted as “fat burning” or “purifying”, which ends up damaging tooth enamel and causing gastrointestinal irritations. Another example is the fashion of Eat placenta After childbirth, which has gained popularity in some circles even though there is no evidence of benefits and sanitary warnings.
The amplification. In social networks, remedies are amplified quickly, many times without filter or context. Some may have a valid background; Others, such as the use of aluminum foil against pain, lack scientific support and can distract effective treatments. The key is to discern: question, contrast and, above all, not replace evidence with virality. Informing well is also a way to take care of yourself.
Image | Tik tok
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