Are Ear Piercings Effective in Treating Migraines?
Dr. Emad Estemalik, the Section Head for Headache and Facial Pain at the Center for Neurological Restoration at Cleveland Clinic, says that there is no medical research that supports the claim that a daith piercing actually gets rid of a migraine.3 Even if a person swears that the piercing is helpful, Dr. Estemalik believes that a placebo effect is likely at work.3
Dr. Estemalik believe that there is no scientific evidence or clinical trial results that support ear piercings as a solution to migraines.3 He adds that “receiving a piercing in that area will not alter the pain pathway of the migraine.”3
This statement is backed up by Dr. Kevin Weber, a neurologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, who states that there haven’t been any randomized, controlled clinical trials to prove if a daith piercing actually helps.4
How to Manage Migraine Pain
While migraine headaches cannot be cured, they can be effectively managed. There are two main treatment approaches that involve medication. The first is called abortive, or acute, where medication is taken at the first sign of a migraine, while the pain is mild.1 This method functions by helping to stop or decrease migraine symptoms so that you can get on with your day without being completely incapacitated. The other type of treatment is referred to as preventative; these drugs are usually prescribed when migraines are severe, frequently occurring, and significantly interfere with daily life.1
Many individuals find that over-the-counter medications are effective for managing mild to moderate migraines and their symptoms. Excedrin Migraine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating these headaches.1 In clinical studies, patients experiencing moderate to severe migraines found effective relief from their symptoms with just one dose. This acute pain management drug contains acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine.
Treating migraines can take some trial and error as you find the solution that works the best for you and your symptoms. Ear piercing for migraine relief may sound like a great way to permanently relief your headaches, but it is scientifically unfounded. You may find that you are best able to manage your pain with clinically proven medication.
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SOURCES
Migraine Headaches. Cleveland Clinic.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5005-migraine-headaches.
Accessed on 4/14/2021. Referenced text is highlighted in the source material.
Daith Piercings & Migraines. American Migraine Foundation.
https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/daith-piercings-101/.
Accessed on 4/14/2021. Referenced text is highlighted in the source material.
Can an Unconventional Piercing Rid You of Migraine Pain? Cleveland Clinic.
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-unconventional-piercing-rid-migraine-pain/.
Accessed on 4/14/2021. Referenced text is highlighted in the source material.
Can an ear-piercing help migraines? Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/you-plus-excedrin/ear-piercing-for-migraines.
Accessed on 4/14/2021. Referenced text is highlighted in the source material.
