Getting a migraine can often mean that you get nothing done that day. This is an incredibly frustrating situation to be in time and time again. Not everyone’s workplaces are lenient about taking leaves, and you might end up spending more paid leaves than you wanted to.
There is some anecdotal evidence that daith piercings may help to ease migraine symptoms. The daith piercing is a specific type of ear piercing that goes through the innermost cartilage fold of the ear, called the daith. Some people who have migraines have reported that getting a daith piercing has helped to reduce the frequency and severity of their migraines.
The theory behind this is that the daith piercing may stimulate a pressure point on the ear that is thought to be connected to the trigeminal nerve, which is involved in migraine headaches. However, there is currently no scientific evidence to support this theory and it’s still considered as alternative medicine and not widely accepted by the medical community.
It’s important to note that a daith piercing is a form of body modification and carries the same risks as any other piercing, such as infection and allergic reactions to the jewelry. Also, a daith piercing may not work for everyone and it’s not recommended as a first-line treatment for migraines.
If you’re tired of missing out on your life because of migraines, you’ve come to the right place!
What Are Daith Piercings?
Daith piercings are a type of ear piercing that goes through the innermost cartilage fold of the ear, known as the daith. This type of piercing is located on the ear’s innermost cartilage ridge, near the ear canal. It is considered a relatively new and trendy type of piercing, and it’s gaining popularity in recent years.
Daith piercings are typically done using a hollow needle, and the jewelry used can vary from a small ring to a barbell. The healing time for a Daith piercing can range from 6 to 12 months and proper aftercare is important to avoid infection and promote healing.
As with any body modification, it’s important to seek out a professional piercer with experience and a good reputation and to make sure that the piercing is done in a clean and sterile environment. It’s also important to make sure that the jewelry used is made of safe material, such as surgical-grade stainless steel, titanium or 14k gold, and to avoid any jewelry that contains nickel.
Daith piercings are a type of cartilage piercings that originated in California. Here, a ring is looped through the cartilage in your inner ear. The Daith piercing was invented by a man named Eric Dakota.
His Jewish client, on whom he placed the piercing, named it after the word “da’at,” which means knowledge in ancient Hebrew. It is said the client was impressed by the piercer’s intelligence as this is a complex piercing to place.
How Did It Become Famous?
There are two main reasons why Daith piercings became famous. Firstly, it has been due to the excellent reports of those who regularly suffer from migraine episodes and migraine symptoms.
Secondly, a Buzzfeed post went viral a few years ago that restarted the public conversation about these piercings.
Why Does It Work?
There are no medically reviewed studies that testify to the effectiveness of this migraine cure. However, many people have said that different aspects of their migraine episodes disappeared after the piercing. Some even reported that they no longer had migraines or migraine symptoms like nausea and vomiting or sensitivity to light.
Some people have attributed this to acupuncture points on the body. Acupuncture is an ancient alternative therapy that believes that pain can be managed by utilizing different pressure points throughout the body. Several certified acupuncturists have come out saying that the Daith piercing is helpful for migraines as it permanently occupies a pressure point in your ear.
How Long Does It Take?
If you haven’t had piercings done before, you’ll be surprised to know it’s a pretty quick process. However, make sure you go when you aren’t experiencing migraine symptoms like sensitivity to light. A piercing studio is usually well-lit so it might trigger your other symptoms like nausea and vomiting too.
Instead, make your appointment when you haven’t had migraine headaches in a while. This ensures you don’t get a migraine in the middle of the appointment! However, while the piercing process isn’t too long, the healing process can take up to nine months. The exact time differs from person to person. Talk to your doctor if yours is taking longer.
What Are the Risks?
A Daith piercing doesn’t need any extra precautions that you wouldn’t take with a typical cartilage piercing. If you have had your earlobes pierced, this piercing will hurt a little more than that. The standard list of risks associated with piercings are:
- infection
- allergies
- scars and keloids
- accidental tearing
What Are Some Supportive Therapies I Can Use With Daith Piercings?
In case you think you would need extra support, there are a number of additional things you can try out to reduce the discomfort that comes with migraines. As there is speculation about the effectiveness of these piercings, let’s take a look at some cutting-edge medical technology that can also help you.
Zecuity
Zecuity is a new medical device that delivers sumatriptan, a pharmaceutical drug for migraines, transdermally. This means that the medicine is transferred to your body through your skin.
The transfer happens via a very mild electric current emitted by the device that attaches to your thigh or arm. Since this is a portable device, it isn’t very high-powered, and you have nothing to worry about in terms of pain.
TENS Machines
TENS machines have long been used for a variety of purposes. Most people use them for different types of body pain, cramps, and chronic pain. There are now specialized TENS devices for use during migraine attacks. These devices stimulate different nerves in your body using electromagnetic current and reduce the effects of the migraine attack.
GammaCore Sapphire
This device needs a doctor’s prescription. However, it is an extremely effective treatment that has also recently been authorized for emergency use for COVID patients.
It stimulates the vagus nerve, which can provide a reduction in symptoms or occurrence within 2 hours. As a bonus, this device treats cluster headaches too! To activate this device, your doctor will give you an RFID card.
Cerena
This FDA-approved device uses a magnetic pulse to reduce or remove the onset of your migraine. It is designed to be used the minute you notice a headache coming on. Its USP is that it is a preventative instead of treating the migraine when it’s already here. You attach an electrode to your forehead and hold the plastic headband to the back of your head and press a button to make your migraine disappear.
Lastly
In conclusion, Daith piercings are a type of ear piercing that goes through the innermost cartilage fold of the ear, known as the daith. This type of piercing is considered relatively new and trendy, and while there is some anecdotal evidence that suggests daith piercings may help to ease migraine symptoms, there is currently no scientific evidence to support this theory.
As with any body modification, it’s important to seek out a professional piercer with experience, to make sure that the piercing is done in a clean and sterile environment, and to avoid any jewelry that contains nickel. It’s also important to consult with a healthcare professional before getting any piercing, especially if you have any concerns about your health or the healing process.
