This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Alexandrea Ciardella. Find her on Instagram at @a6ysma1. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
If you suffer from constant migraines, you may be searching for a cure, or at least a way to lessen the pain. You may have heard the myth that Daith piercings can help relieve migraine pain, maybe even erase it altogether. I’m always interested in learning about holistic medicine techniques, and this is the first time I’ve heard of this phenomenon. How can something as simple as a Daith piercing be used for migraines and how does it work?
A Daith piercing is a type of ear piercing in the smallest fold of cartilage just above the ear canal. Its popularity has skyrocketed in the last 20 years, partially due to fashion and partially due to myths behind its migraine relief. There are many unofficial accounts of people who have received a Daith piercing and experienced pain relief from migraines, though some researchers have attributed this effect to being a placebo.
But how do we get from ear piercings to migraine relief? What’s the science behind it? Some believe that Daith piercings work in the same way acupuncture does, triggering specific points of the body with needles to provide certain health benefits. Acupuncture has been proven to help lessen the effects of allergies, insomnia, chronic pain, and even migraines (there’s even an acupuncture point close to where the daith piercing is located that helps lessen migraine pain).
Not to mention a branch of the vagus nerve is found in that part of the ear, making up a part of your nervous system. It’s believed that the constant pressure of the daith piercing on the vagus nerve blocks pain receptors, lessening the effects of migraines. It’s easy to see how people assume daith piercings would help fix migraines!
Despite the seemingly magical healing properties that Daith piercings may have on migraines, most researchers speculate that this is nothing more than a symptom of the placebo effect. Those who have gotten Daith piercings have mentioned reduced pain during migraines, though others have noted that the pain relief is temporary and does not offer much relief. Despite these testimonies, more clinical studies will need to be performed to determine if Daith piercings are effective against migraines as there is a lack of evidence to prove otherwise. Coupled with the fact that Daith piercings are much trickier than normal ear piercings; because the needle is piercing through cartilage, there is always a higher risk of infections, bleeding, and even worsening your migraine symptoms.
Even though Daith piercings are cool, it’s kind of disappointing to find out they can’t cure migraines. While there is no definitive cure for migraines, there are some actions you can take to ease symptoms. Resting your eyes in a dark room, placing a warm or cool compress on your forehead, drinking fluids, and massages can help.
Have you heard of daith piercings for migraines before? Let us know in the comments below!
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