GRIM Studios did a weekly Piercing special, it started years ago back when things were slow as a way to get our name out, but it grew faster and larger than we ever anticipated, before we stopped we average 50-100 piercings every Sunday with three piercers — in recent months more and more people are coming in asking for the “migraine piercing” or the “anxiety piercing” and each time we tell them the same disclaimer:
“There is no scientific data proving that the piercing will do anything for your migraines or anxiety, so if you want to get the piercing and take the chance that may or may not work, that’s fine but we do not guarantee you’ll have any relief.”
What Is The Daith Piercing?
Pronounced Day-Th
It is a piercing on the inner cartilage fold above the ear drum.
Typically pierced with a 16G or 14G curved bar or CBR (Captive Ball Ring).
The “Science” Behind the Claim?
Acupressure or acupuncture are to restore health and balance to the body's channels of energy and to regulate opposing forces of yin (negative energy) and yang (positive energy).
By stimulating the following three points on the ear you can activate the nervous system and induce the body’s relaxation response
1 Shenmen – stress reducing
2 Point Zero – calming and grounding
3 Tranquilizer Point – induces a relaxation response
Or if you’re a believer in the healing of non-western medicine: Dr. Paul Nogier of France (The father of Modern Ear Acupressure & Acupuncture) originated the concept of the Homunculus, or, the ‘man in the ear,' which is the representation and anatomical correlation of the inverted fetus inside the ear.
In other words, a homunculus is a very tiny representation of an entire human being. This means that your ear represents your entire body, upside down, in a birthing position.
The “daith” is located at Point Zero (the centre of your ear, therefor the centre of your body in Nogier’s theory, which when stimulated would centre your body) which in theory, could work as an anxiety and migraine treatment.
The belief is that since the daith piercing can be kept in permanently, it can keep migraines and anxiety at bay, or at least reduce them.
Many Doctors in Western Medicine find it hard to believe that this is possible or even that these meridians exist. They attribute any results to other factors, such as reduced muscle tension, improved circulation, or stimulation of endorphins, which are natural pain relievers.
Where this becomes interesting is the sheer number of people who say that the piercing does actually relieve or reduce their migraines and anxiety levels. A study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine revealed that; “stimulation of a reflex point in the ear can relieve symptoms of distant pathology with a reliable duration.”
A Chinese study revealed that Ear Acupressure/Acupuncture used on 90 subjects suffering from migraines over a 10-day period revealed positive results after just one treatment.
The conclusion of this study revealed that; “Comprehensive auricular acupuncture reduces the clinical symptoms of migraine.”
Placebo Effect vs. Real Science
A placebo is anything that seems to be a "real" medical treatment — but isn't. It could be a pill, a shot, or some other type of "fake" treatment.
People can have a response to a placebo. The response can be positive or negative. For instance, the person's symptoms may improve. Or the person may have what appears to be side effects from the treatment. These responses are known as the "placebo effect."
There are some conditions in which a placebo can produce results even when people know they are taking a placebo. Studies show that placebos can have an effect on conditions such as:
• Depression
• Pain
• Sleep disorders
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Menopause
There is a relationship between how strongly a person expects or wants to have relief and whether or not that relief occurs. The stronger the want or belief that the medicine or treatment will work, the more likely it is that a person will experience positive effects.
Our Clients Opinions seem to be that this piercing really does work, and with the sheer quantity of piercings we receive, I personally would be inclined to believe that there must be some truth to the myth of the Daith piercing, however until scientific studies prove conclusively our Professional Opinion is that if you’re suffering from anxiety and depression and are willing to get pierced for a chance of relief — there’s no real harm, believing that it will work may even be the reason it will work, but setting your exceptions to the Daith Piercing being a cure — is setting yourself up for frustration and anger.
We recommend getting the piercing because it’s a unique piercing and IF you find relief than great, if not, you’ve still got a cool piercing.
