to like pulling my hair when I have a headache?

[ToeKneeChestNut]

DP thinks it's weird, but I'm presuming this is fairly common.

When I have an annoying, rather than painful, headache, pulling at clumps of my hair helps alleviate it. At the moment, I'm going around the edge of my forehead pulling away because it seems to ease the tension.

This is normal, isn't it?

No not a normal thing to do at all.

Very normal here - eases the tension in my scalp with migraine. Doesn't take the pain away, but eases something whilst it's ongoing.

Nope. Not normal imo.

I do it. It sort of helps to numb the pain - similar to putting pressure on your temples.

Just a strange way of giving yourself a head massage. I had a tension headache today and a hot shower with a vigorous hair wash helped ease it.

When I have an annoying headache I like to brush my hair aggressively - i.e. Very firm against the scalp brush never reaches the ends, the pressure of the brush on my scalp feels soothing

I don't know if it's normal but actually I do this to. I pull the hair just where I feel the headache and it seems to counteract the tension a bit. I obviously don't pull the hair out, but a fairly firm pull does help.

I pull mine when I'm stressed or I need to concentrate. Used to sit in the study hall at uni with one hand in my hair the whole time.

I think people are imagining the wrong thing - it's not ripping your hair out or yanking on it. For me it's a steady pressure holding the hair taut and it feels very relaxing.

Thanks everyone. Yes, I don't pull any hair out. Just a good tug, near the scalp really does release tension. It doesn't get rid of the headache, though. It's a bit like scratching and itch that won't disappear.

Normal, I do this and it helps.

I do this. I have a particularly aggressive form of migraine & get them quite often. Head massage by hair pulling in small sections is one of the few things that gives me any relief, albeit temporary. If it works, do it.

I also find the 4head stick can be helpful. The proper stuff is better than the generic / own brand. Don't know why.

Yes I do this

I do this as well, it does seem to help!

I don't get hurting the spot that is already hurting? However I do tend to slap an itch.

Please get some help as this is not normal behaviour and could get worse. My DD has a child in her class who does this it's called Trichotillomania
www.nhs.uk/conditions/trichotillomania/Pages/introduction.aspx

But that condition involves in pulling hair out. I don't do that.

Yep I do this.

Ojoj I think you have misunderstood.

Yes, totally normal!

I didn't, but I just tried it after reading this thread. It feels nice! Those saying 'it hurts', have you actually done it?

Yes, this helps my migraine pain just a bit. I am careful not to pull hair out as it is thinning for other reasons!

I suppose it's the equivalent of putting a pressure bandage on an injury.

If anyone wants to invent a device or bandage that puts gentle pressure across the whole head from above the eyebrows, right round the top and sides to the neck, which also has temperature control to freeze the scalp, I'll pay anything you want!!

Yes, I get my son to "do my hair" which involves him pulling and twisting it, it eases the pain.

I also tie a scarf really tightly round my head if it's especially bad, the pressure helps.

Just realised I haven't had a bad headache for a while (touch wood!)

I just thought I was weird(er)

Yes I do this.

I pull my hair because I just love the feeling of it.

I love having my hair played with and pulling it also gives me a head massage. It's bliss.

I do this. And will also shampoo my hair if I have a hangover headache as it helps relieve my head and I feel instantly better! Same as if I've had my hair up I find it can give me a headache and I have to massage it back down and get the pain out!