This is important to know if you’ve heard we’re hesitant to try earring to treat chronic or episodic migraines. Despite anecdotal “evidence” accumulating around this, with no scientific evidence to support it as an effective migraine therapy, experts do not recommend it.
Where it is located?
A daith piercing is a piercing located in the small crease of cartilage in the outer ear which is just above the opening of the ear canal. This part of the ear is thicker and curved. That makes it a sensitive and sometimes uncomfortable place to pierce. A daith piercing is considered one of the most time-consuming ear piercings. It also takes a long time to heal, during which there is a risk of infection.
After making this earring, most people report a dull, aching pain for a few days. Also, it can be sensitive to touch for several months, so it can be difficult to sleep.
It is believed that this location may be the site of an acupuncture pressure point affecting the digestive system and that wearing an earring there provides constant compression that can help relieve pain.
Works?
The connection between piercing and migraine relief is tied to acupuncture, a Chinese medicine-based therapy for treating various conditions by activating specific points on the body with needles. Acupuncture is a popular alternative treatment for headaches and migraines, and the ear has certain pressure points that are used in modern acupuncture.
Headache piercings gained popularity in the mid-2010s. Supporters of this treatment claimed that the earring activate a pressure point which can help relieve migraine symptoms.
Pressure points in the ear are in very specific locations and must be identified by a trained acupuncturist to make sure the piercing is in the right place. Even then, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that headache piercings are effective in treating migraine symptoms.
The exact causes of migraines are unknown, although they are related to changes in the brain as well as genetic causes. People with severe headaches may inherit a tendency to be affected by certain migraine triggers, such as fatigue, bright lights, or changes in weather.
For many years, scientists believed that migraines were related to the expansion and narrowing of blood vessels on the surface of the brain. However, it is now believed that migraines are caused by inherited abnormalities in certain areas of the brain. A migraine begins when overactive nerve cells send impulses to blood vessels, leading to blood vessel expansion and the release of prostaglandins, serotonin, and other inflammatory substances that make pulsing blood painful.
Can it increase the headache?
The helix, or the place where daith piercings are inserted, is a place used during acupuncture and acupressure. Both are well-known treatments for headaches. Some people may try to replicate the effect of acupuncture at this location to experience benefits for their own headaches.
But what they may end up experiencing is a headache. The location of the earring can make headaches more likely. This is because the extra firm cartilage of the helix can cause more discomfort than softer tissue like the earlobe.
Also, science does not support the claim that piercings can stop migraines. No study has been able to connect it to reduced migraine attacks. Instead, some doctors and researchers believe that these piercings result in the Placebo effect. This phenomenon occurs when people think that a particular treatment is working as intended, when it is not.
drawbacks
Without strong evidence that daith piercing is an effective treatment for migraines, experts can’t recommend it. Additionally, the practice has a number of negative aspects, including but not limited to:
- Pain at the time of piercing: Cartilage is generally more difficult to pierce than the less resilient flesh of the earlobe.
- Recovery: Cartilage takes longer to fully heal.
- High risk of infection: There is less blood flow to the cartilage, making it difficult for white blood cells to reach the site of an infection to protect it.
- Allergic reaction: Certain metals can cause an allergic reaction in people predisposed to them.
Alternative therapies
Research has shown that there are other alternative therapies that can help with migraine symptoms. Some can even help reduce the frequency of headache attacks.
- Acupuncture. Acupuncture has been used for many years to treat a wide range of pain, including migraines. Studies suggest that it may be an effective therapy.
- Auriculotherapy. This is a type of acupuncture that focuses on the ear. Practitioners of this therapy may use needles, seeds, or their own fingers to apply pressure to specific points on the ear.
- Meditation. Science has also shown that mindfulness meditation can help reduce pain intensity and may be a good treatment option for people living with migraines.
- Biofeedback. Biofeedback is a therapy that helps the body tune in and adapt accordingly. It measures responses in the body, such as muscle tension or other reactions to stress.
- Dietary supplements. Some dietary supplements can also help with migraine symptoms. Some examples can be butterbur, magnesium, riboflavin. Studies have also shown that ginger can be helpful in treating migraine pain.