Migraine headaches and weight management are common concerns that lead many individuals to explore various treatment options. Among these, alternative therapies like acupuncture, meditation, and, more recently, ear piercings have gained attention. Specifically, daith, tragus, and helix piercings have been suggested as potential remedies for migraine relief and weight loss. This article delves into the science, anecdotal evidence, and potential risks associated with these piercings, providing a comprehensive overview for those considering these options.
Ear Piercings for Migraine Relief
The Vagus Nerve Connection
Some proponents of ear piercings for migraine relief believe that these piercings may help when problems with the vagus nerve are responsible for migraine headaches. The vagus nerve, the longest cranial nerve in the body, branches into various parts of the outer ear, including the daith and the tragus. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an emerging treatment for several medical conditions, including epilepsy, depression, chronic inflammatory disorders, and migraine headaches. VNS may prevent migraines from occurring or relieve ongoing pain.
The theory behind using tragus and daith piercings to treat migraines is that stimulating the vagus nerve in these areas could potentially alleviate migraine pain and prevent headaches from developing. Some individuals who experience pain on one side of the head report benefits from having the piercing on the same side.
Daith and Tragus Piercings: A Closer Look
The daith is a fold of cartilage above the ear canal, while the tragus is the triangular piece of cartilage below the daith, to the side of the opening. Piercing either area involves inserting a needle through the cartilage and placing a stud or a hoop through the hole.
The use of cartilage piercings as a migraine treatment appears to have stemmed from acupuncture. Acupuncture involves inserting needles into specific points on the body to treat various health conditions. Some view daith and tragus piercings as more permanent forms of acupuncture because they involve the same points that acupuncturists stimulate when treating migraine pain.
Read also: Facial Piercing Pain and Healing
Scientific Evidence and Anecdotal Reports
It is difficult to definitively determine the effectiveness of daith and tragus piercings as a migraine treatment due to a lack of high-quality, large-scale studies on the subject. Most evidence for this treatment comes from case studies or firsthand accounts.
For example, a 2017 case report from researchers in Italy described a 54-year-old male with recurring migraine and tension-type headaches. The man had tried various medications and detoxification treatments to relieve symptoms, as well as radiofrequency ablation. None of these methods provided significant benefits. According to the report, the man opted for a daith piercing as a possible treatment. Within months, he experienced a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of his migraine headaches, and the benefits lasted for at least a year and a half.
While anecdotal evidence suggests potential benefits, experts like Dr. Emad Estemalik emphasize that there is no medical research to support the theory that a daith piercing helps prevent migraines. The perceived relief may be attributed to the placebo effect, where the belief in a treatment's effectiveness leads to a positive outcome.
Acupuncture as an Alternative
While research on daith and tragus piercings is limited, a growing body of research suggests that acupuncture could help treat migraine and headache disorders. A 2016 Cochrane review analyzed the findings of 22 trials involving 4,985 individuals to assess the effects of acupuncture on migraine prevention. The authors found that acupuncture led to a slight but significant reduction in migraine frequency compared with sham acupuncture treatments and no treatment.
Given the potential risks associated with piercings, individuals considering daith or tragus piercings may want to try acupuncture first. If a person responds well to acupuncture for migraine, they may potentially benefit from a daith or tragus piercing.
Read also: The Truth About Weight Loss Ear Piercings
Potential Risks and Considerations
Daith and tragus piercings carry potential adverse effects, including:
- Incorrect placement of jewelry
- Allergic reaction to jewelry or piercing equipment
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Scarring
- Pain
- Nerve damage
- Worsening migraine symptoms
People can minimize the risk by getting their piercings from licensed professionals and keeping their piercings clean and dry - especially while they are healing. It is crucial to discuss hygiene and reducing the risk of infection with the person performing the piercing. Piercers should use needles and jewelry made from surgical-grade stainless steel due to its low nickel content. Those with a nickel allergy may choose to wear only gold, titanium, or stainless steel jewelry.
Ear Piercings for Weight Loss
Acupressure and Ear Piercings
Ear piercing for weight loss is based on acupressure and acupuncture techniques that target specific pressure points on the body to influence appetite and metabolism. Proponents suggest that certain ear points can affect appetite and metabolism. However, it's important to note that ear piercings are not scientifically proven to aid in weight loss.
Types of Ear Piercings and Their Purported Benefits
- Daith Piercing: Located on the innermost fold of cartilage of the ear, this spot is associated with reducing food cravings and controlling overeating.
- Helix Piercing: These piercings are found on the outer rim of the ear, the upper cartilage area.
- Tragus Piercing: Involves piercing the small pointed projection of the external ear, called the tragus. Anecdotal evidence and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) suggest that tragus piercing may be effective for weight loss.
Tragus Piercings: Styles and Considerations
When it comes to using tragus piercings for weight loss, specific types of jewelry are believed to have a beneficial effect. Jewelry made of gold is a popular option because the metal is higher quality and encourages healing.
Daith Piercings: Appetite Control and Weight Loss
Some believe that daith piercing, which goes through the inner ear cartilage, can help with appetite control and weight loss. However, it's important to remember that individual results may vary, and this method is not supported by scientific research. Traditional Chinese acupuncture therapy requires long, regular punctures with accurate measurement by experienced acupuncturists. The specific type of piercing you choose is a personal decision, but cartilage hoops, captives, barbells, and horseshoe rings are popular choices. Daith piercings are usually performed using a 16 gauge needle (1.2mm thick) because it’s a cartilage piercing.
Read also: Tragus Piercing Procedure
Helix Piercings: A Stylish Approach
Helix piercings are a popular type of ear piercing that targets specific pressure points on the upper part of the ear as a way to help with weight loss. When choosing helix piercing jewelry, studs and labret studs are recommended for initial piercings to allow space for healing, reducing the risk of infection, inflammation, and swelling.
Potential Risks and Complications
Tragus piercings are more prone to migration, where the jewelry moves from its original spot. Ear piercings, in general, carry potential risks, including infection, swelling, pain, and discharge. To mitigate these risks, it is essential to choose a reputable and experienced professional for any type of ear piercing.
Ear Stapling vs. Ear Piercing
Ear stapling is a non-medical procedure where a small surgical staple is placed in the ear to apply pressure to specific points believed to aid in weight loss or other perceived health benefits. Ear stapling lacks scientific evidence and can carry higher risk when staples are left in place for extended periods. In contrast, ear piercing is a common practice for cosmetic or cultural reasons and can carry less risk when performed by professionals.
Daith Piercings and Anxiety
A daith piercing is located in the innermost fold of your ear. Some people believe that this piercing can help ease anxiety-related migraines and other symptoms. Although the evidence is primarily anecdotal, there’s some research around the piercing’s proposed mechanism of action.
The Vagus Nerve and Anxiety Relief
Your ear is home to several of the pressure points that acupuncturists and other holistic health practitioners stimulate to alleviate headaches. These pressure points target the vagus nerve. In theory, getting a daith piercing will place constant pressure on your vagus nerve. Some health conditions, like depression and epilepsy, have been proven to respond to vagus nerve stimulation. Research to see if stimulating this nerve can treat other conditions is ongoing.
Anecdotal Evidence and the Placebo Effect
So far, any information we have about using a daith piercing to treat anxiety is anecdotal. There haven’t been any clinical trials or exploratory studies on this piercing and its purported effects. At least one expert at the Cleveland Clinic weighed in to chalk up piercings that relieve migraines as having a placebo effect.
Acupuncture and Daith Piercings
A clinical case can be made for using acupuncture to treat anxiety and migraines. Several studies have concluded that acupuncture is a “promising” treatment for panic attacks. Daith piercings sit at roughly the same position as a pressure point that acupuncturists target to treat migraines. This piercing theoretically provides the same benefits.
Side of the Piercing
If you’re getting a daith piercing to treat anxiety-related migraines, get the piercing on the side of your head where your anxiety-related pain tends to cluster. If you’re not trying to treat anxiety-related migraines, it doesn’t make a difference which side of your head you get the piercing on.
Considerations Before Getting a Daith Piercing
The piercing can be painful for some and takes longer to heal than other ear piercings. If you ever decide to let the piercing close, a small (though visible) mark will be left behind. Cartilage piercings are also more likely to get infected than lobe piercings. There’s also the risk that your piercing won’t work for anxiety. Before you get a daith piercing, make sure:
- You like the way the daith piercing looks.
- You understand how to take care of the piercing.
- You’ve had all of your questions addressed by your doctor or piercing professional.
- You can afford to have this treatment.
Insurance doesn’t cover therapeutic piercings.