Tragus piercing for migraines

Some people believe that tragus piercings, a type of ear piercing, may help alleviate symptoms of migraine headaches.

Apr 4, People with migraine headaches are always on the lookout for better relief. There are plenty of prescription and non-prescription drugs available, but a lot of migraineurs would rather not depend on them too much. Tragus piercings are gaining popularity as one of those tools, but do they really work for migraines? The tragus is the small flap of cartilage at the front of the ear canal. Tragus piercings for migraine can be done in one or both ears. The vagus nerve — one of the longest nerves in the body — connects your brain with your gut.

Tragus piercing for migraines

Daith and tragus piercings are among the most talked about — and controversial — alternative therapies for migraine. Some people believe these cosmetic procedures — which involve piercing a small fold of cartilage near the opening of the outer ear — have benefits similar to acupuncture for migraine pain. If so, where do you get it done? Like acupuncture — a common migraine treatment — daith and tragus piercings are thought to treat migraine pain by activating specific pressure points in the ear. Specifically, daith and tragus piercings are thought to activate the vagus nerve, one of many nerves that carry messages to and from the brain. Possible vagal modulation stimulation of the vagus nerve interferes with signals to the brain that cause migraine pain. This mechanism is also seen in U. Food and Drug Administration FDA -approved vagus nerve stimulation devices for treating migraine headaches, which use electric currents instead of earrings or needles to block pain signals. According to a study published in Frontiers in Neurology, migraine symptoms improve for some people after a daith piercing but worsen for others. The researchers concluded the treatment could not be recommended without further study. A literature review in Current Pain Headache Report also concluded that, similar to acupuncture, daith piercings may provide benefit in acute short-term and long-term treatment of migraine, but additional research is needed. The case study cited an anonymous survey of respondents who had daith piercings.

We get to the bottom of the issue and share how to avoid triggers. Though individuals have reported migraine relief from piercings, scientific research is lacking.

A tragus piercing is a type of ear piercing that places a hoop or stud through the cartilage that partially covers your ear canal. The tragus itself is located right below another commonly pierced part of ear cartilage called the daith. Daith piercings have become a popular alternative treatment for migraine headaches. Although the evidence for daith piercings as a migraine treatment is mostly anecdotal, some people believe that tragus piercings could work in the same way to help relieve migraine pain. Scientists are actively investigating how, and if, a piercing could alleviate migraine pain.

Not only do they cause intense pain, they can prevent you from living your best life. Could a tragus piercing help remedy the piercing pain of migraine? A tragus piercing goes through the cartilage that partially covers your ear canal. But we def need more research to find out if the perks are for real. According to the American Migraine Foundation , up to 80 percent of folks who live with headache and migraine disorders have tried alternative treatments.

Tragus piercing for migraines

Daith and tragus piercings are among the most talked about — and controversial — alternative therapies for migraine. Some people believe these cosmetic procedures — which involve piercing a small fold of cartilage near the opening of the outer ear — have benefits similar to acupuncture for migraine pain. If so, where do you get it done? Like acupuncture — a common migraine treatment — daith and tragus piercings are thought to treat migraine pain by activating specific pressure points in the ear. Specifically, daith and tragus piercings are thought to activate the vagus nerve, one of many nerves that carry messages to and from the brain.

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That doesn't seem to be a valid email address. Some people believe these cosmetic procedures — which involve piercing a small fold of cartilage near the opening of the outer ear — have benefits similar to acupuncture for migraine pain. Daith and tragus piercing is one of the most popular topics discussed. At least according to anecdotal advice, if you want to get a tragus piercing for migraines, you should have it done on the side of your head where your pain tends to cluster the most. Let's look deeper:. The tragus piercing may help stimulate the vagus nerve , the longest of the 12 cranial nerves. What teas can help relieve migraine? Molecular mechanisms of nickel allergy. Pain is generally felt on one side of the head, but can also occur…. Email us at article-feedback bezzy. While a lack of studies have investigated daith and tragus piercings, a growing body of research suggests that acupuncture could help treat migraine and headache disorders. A tragus piercing is a type of ear piercing that places a hoop or stud through the cartilage that partially covers your ear canal. Piercers should be using needles and jewelry made from surgical-grade stainless steel, due to its low nickel content. Jan 5, VNS is also an emerging treatment for migraine headaches — it may prevent them from occurring or relieve ongoing pain.

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Because cartilage piercings are prone to irritation, a bump or keloid raised scar can form at the piercing site. Some people who experience the pain on one side of the head report benefits from having the piercing on the same side. Here's how to tell if the weather…. However, the scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of daith piercing as a treatment for migraine is limited. Though research into the potential benefits of daith and tragus piercing is lacking, some believe it may work similarly to auricular acupuncture by stimulating the same nerves in the ear. Medically Reviewed by:. According to the American Headache Society , vagus nerve stimulation VNS may help with chronic headache conditions like migraine and cluster headaches. The tragus and the daith are at roughly the same pressure point on your ear that acupuncturists target to treat migraine headaches. He had also tried radiofrequency ablation, which involves using electrical stimulation to decrease pain signals. How could it affect migraine pain? Have thoughts or suggestions about this article? Learn more What Is Preventive Migraine Treatment? Connect with thousands of members and find support through daily live chats, curated resources, and one-to-one messaging.