Chronic pain can be a nightmarish and debilitating condition. Whether the source is fibromyalgia or migraines, sufferers are more than willing to look outside the box for relief or better yet, a cure. In recent years, a treatment option for chronic pain known as daith piercing has been making waves. Before dashing out to get this done, let’s explore what we know about daith piercing.
Daith Piercing: Links To Acupuncture
Important to mention is that there is no published, peer-reviewed scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness or validity of daith piercing. Until then, the most supporting material on the effectiveness of daith piercing is its links to acupuncture.
Acupuncture is an ancient, safe, alternative form of treatment in which acupuncture needles are inserted into specific anatomical points on the body to encourage natural healing. A traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture stimulates the balance and flow of Qi energy. Acupuncture treats both the symptoms and root causes of the patient’s illness (1).
The ear is an area commonly treated by acupuncturists as it contains zones that affect other areas of the body. In theory, daith piercings treat chronic pain such as migraines and fibromyalgia in the same manner as acupuncture.
True Healing or Placebo Effect?
While some people attribute migraine relief to their daith piercing, some medical experts speculate it is the result of the placebo effect. The placebo effect happens when a patient experiences a real alteration of their medical condition despite receiving an ineffective treatment, simply because they believe the treatment would work (2).
Considering A Daith Piercing? Here’s What You Need to Know
Pain and Healing
Daith piercing is done on cartilage in the inner part of the ear. No doubt this procedure will cause at least a little discomfort, though it will depend on your personal pain tolerance. Pain will subside in the days following, but will likely remain sensitive to the touch for at least a few weeks. A daith piercing can take between 4-12 months to completely heal, but with proper treatment and care the duration can be shortened (3).
Treatment and Care Steps
1- Do not touch or play with the piercing: Touching will irritate and dirty the piercing. Avoid tight hats and earphones.
2- Clean twice daily: Gently rub warm salt water around the area using a cotton swab.
3- Avoid contact with skincare products or shampoos to avoid irritation.
4- Repeat steps 1-3 for 4-6 weeks.
5- Ask for professional advice before removing or replacing jewelry of the piercing (4).
Looking for Fibromyalgia Relief? Try Acupuncture First!
Having learned about daith piercing and acupuncture, you are now better informed on whether or not this treatment is right for you. If you are seriously considering daith piercing we would recommend trying acupuncture first. An acupuncturist can even place a stud on your daith for a couple of weeks to gauge the effect. If you experience benefits during this gauging period, it may indicate that a daith piercing can help you.
A Case Study: Carrie Anton Recounts Her Acupuncture Experience
Still unsure about acupuncture? You’re not alone. Acupuncture is a safe practice, though some people may be tentative to try it for fear of needles, unfamiliarity or cost. This was the case for Carrie Anton, author of in this Fibromyalgia News Today article. She took a leap of faith and experimented with acupuncture in hopes of treating her fibromyalgia.
What to Expect:
Carrie recalls first being asked general questions such as: How is your general health? What do you hope to achieve? Once the treatment plan was laid out, needles were placed throughout her legs, feet, forehead, arms and stomach. Accompanied by some soothing music and aroma, the needles remain in place for roughly 30 minutes.
” The needles did not hurt, but I felt a little squeamish when the acupuncturist got to my head. But again, no discomfort at all. Just a strange sensation but no pain. After he was done placing the needles, he turned the lights down, turned on some very soothing oriental music, and left me alone for about 30 minutes.
When he came back in he woke me up. I was so relaxed I actually fell asleep!”
Upon being awoken from a relaxing sleep by the acupuncturist, no pain from the needles was reported, just a strange tingling sensation. The acupuncturist explained this tingling was the chi, the life giving energy that unites mind, body and spirit.
After 1 treatment Carrie writes she experienced a reduction in night sweats, hot flashes and headaches. Additionally, acupuncture helped manage her fibromyalgia and soothe chronic pain, so she’s glad she overcame her reluctance and gave acupuncture a try (5)!
