The search for effective relief for migraine sufferers is relentless. An unusual but growing way to alleviate migraine symptoms involves a type of ear piercings-commonly referred to as migraine piercings. Of these, the daith piercing is the best known. Thousands of people report substantial pain alleviation from their migraines after getting a daith piercing, but scientific evidence is slim.

In this blog, we go in-depth with what migraine piercing is, how it is supposed to work, the process of piercing itself, and what one should consider when thinking about trying this alternative approach.

What Are Migraine Piercings?

Migraine piercings are a class of ear piercings that are popularly believed by some to reduce migraine intensity and frequency. A daith piercing targets the small fold of cartilage above the ear canal, reportedly corresponding to pressure points used in acupuncture to relieve headaches.

However, based on little scientific explanation to prove this, quite a great number of people claim these piercings have helped in managing their migraines. Some theories are that the piercing may be stimulating the vagus nerve or specific acupuncture points, hence leading to reduced migraine symptoms.

Types of Migraine Piercings

While the daith still remains the most popular piercing for migraine pain relief, there are several other piercings in the ear that are being mentioned as possible benefits. These include:

Helix Piercing: It is further believed that this piercing stimulates pressure points, for it is positioned in the upper outer rim of the ear. The tragus piercing involves the cartilage in front of the ear canal. Some claim this piercing reduces headache frequency since it is close to those aforementioned pressure points. Of the above, most people cite the daith piercing for migraine relief.

How Migraine Piercings Purportedly Work

The main linkage between daith piercings and migraines is, to a great extent, based upon acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine that involves stimulation of different points along the body’s length to help reduce pain and enhance health. Pressure points inside the cartilage of the ear may correspond to areas of the nervous system linked to migraines.

The Daith piercing punctures that specific point in the ear and may help, considering most of the functions of the vagus nerve in the body, to stimulate and regulate pain therein. This particular nerve reaches from the brain through the face and neck down to the abdomen; its stimulation has been seen to relieve one from chronic pain, including one-sided headaches like migraines, in certain cases.

While this is doubtless an exciting theory, it has to be pointed out that, to date, there is strictly no scientific evidence that daith piercings are in any way connected with migraine relief.

The Daith Piercing Process

If you are considering the daith piercing for migraine relief, it is very important that you find a reputable professional piercer. The following sections describe what you can expect from the piercing procedure:

1. Consultation

Before having a daith piercing, it is highly recommended that you consult with a professional and deeply experienced piercer in performing cartilage piercings. You will be able to explain to him/her motivations of this kind of decision, and you will pass some pre-screening about whether this is safe and suitable for you. There are people who cannot get daith piercings either because of the conformation of their ear or because of other medical reasons.

2. Piercing Process

Preparation: Then followed by the cleaning of the area where the piercing is to be done then followed by sterilizing of the equipment making the procedure safe. Marking: After the piercer has agreed on where the daith piercing should be, he then marks on your ear. Piercing: The piercer will first pierce the cartilage with a hollow needle and then insert the jewelry into the hole. Cartilage is thicker and less yielding compared to the skin of the earlobe, so this may be more painful compared to an earlobe piercing.

3. Pain Level

Being in the thick cartilage of the ear, Daith may be more painful than other piercings. The pain, although for most people is short and bearable.

4. Aftercare

Just like with any piercing, good aftercare is necessary; not only in preventing infection but also in making the healing process easy. Your cartilage piercing usually takes about 3-6 months to be totally healed. In this period of time, you have to:

• Clean the piercing with saline solution 2-3 times a day.
• Also, avoid playing with the jewelry when there is absolutely no need or reason to, and also avoid twisting.
• Avoid submerging the piercing in water, pools, or tubs.
• Be extra sensitive with hair or anything from clothes getting caught onto the piercing.

For more on safe piercings and professional aftercare, check with the Magic Art Society for a comprehensive guide on new piercing aftercare.

Does Daith Piercing Actually Work for Migraines?

Does the daith piercing work in attempting to alleviate people from migraines? The million-dollar question.

While most of such individuals report reduced migraine frequency or intensity after getting a daith piercing, this is yet to be proven through scientific studies. Much of the proof that daith piercings ease migraine comes from word of mouth. If you are considering alternative treatments and you have tried the others already, then daith piercing may be a thing to try-more so if alternative therapies like acupuncture appeal to you.

However, one needs to get it with realistic expectations. While a few have experienced alleviation from this piercing, others may not even notice much difference in pattern changes of their migraine.

Possible Risks and Things to Consider

1. Infection

Daith piercing is more prone to infection, like any other cartilage piercing, when compared to an earlobe piercing. Since the blood flow is not that great, the body might find it hard to fight off any sort of infection. The stringency of routines for aftercare shall avoid complications.

2. Pain and Swelling

While many people are going through daith piercings quite well, the initial pain and swelling take a number of days or even weeks to clear. In case you happen to have a history of slow healing or keloid scarring, be sure to discuss these in advance with your piercer.

3. No Guaranteed Migraine Relief

Although some people swear by how effective these daith piercings are with migraines, this is no indication that this would work for you. You should approach the process as some sort of experimental therapy and not some kind of sure cure.

4. Choice of Jewelry

Get quality jewelry using non-allergic materials such as surgical steel or pure titanium. Low quality can result in allergic actions or infections and further complicate the process of healing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Migraine Piercings

1. How Long Does a Daith Piercing Take to Heal?

Daith piercing can take up to 3-6 months to heal, though this could be a shorter or even longer period depending on how well you follow the aftercare instructions.

2. Does the daith piercing really work against migraines?

Even though many claim that it does, especially against the pains of migraine, there is no scientific evidence to support this fact. A daith piercing is thought to stimulate certain pressure points just like acupuncture, but results might be different.

3. Does getting a daith hurt?

While this piercing goes through the thick cartilage of the ear, daith piercing hurts more compared to the general earlobe piercing. However, it doesn’t hurt so long, and most can handle it without a problem at all.

4. Do daith piercings have some kind of risks?

Like all other piercings, daith piercings do have the risk of infection with the cartilage surrounding it. Proper aftercare and hygiene should be done so as not to create complications.

5. What is the best kind of jewelry for a daith piercing?

Go for good quality, hypoallergic material such as titanium, surgical steel, or 14k gold. These materials lessen the possibility of allergic reaction and give way to a healthier recovery.

6. Where should I do my professional daith piercing?

Lastly, Magic Art Society offers a chance to have a safe and professional piercings at the company studio. Besides being a very clean and friendly environment which will make your piercing process smooth and safe, great professional piercers host in the studio as well.

Conclusion

With there being mostly inconclusive evidence regarding the science behind migraine piercings-daith being one of them-this pierce has become a relief for many. A migraine sufferer interested in finding new ways to handle pain should, therefore, make it known that daith piercing might be worth trying, though expectations should not be high, and all the aftercare directions followed.

Magic Art Society covers all aspects of body art and piercings. If you need help from the expert in understanding piercing safety and healing, and about other alternative treatments, consult Magic Art Society.

• Address: 79 rue Rambuteau, 91 Rue St Denis, 75001 Paris
• Phone: +33 1 40 26 54 83
• Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sxfJB9AQN3PpCn989
• KGID: https://g.co/kgs/X4GdhnH