Can a Piercing Ease Fibromyalgia Pain?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome that affects approximately 3 to 9 million American adults. The symptoms of fibro include painful, tender joints and awful body pain. These tender joints are sensitive to pressure in fibromyalgia patients. The healthcare community doesn't fully understand what causes fibromyalgia. Some people start to develop fibromyalgia symptoms after a sickness or accident, while others develop the condition slowly and without cause. 

The amazing thing is that several headache therapies can help in decreasing fibromyalgia systems:

• Aerobic workout
• Psychological pain managing skills such as coping skills, anxiety treatment, and relaxation exercise
• Antidepressants

Chronic Headache Symptoms

Forty percent of fibromyalgia patients experience recurring migraines and tension-type headaches that can make it difficult for patients all-around. These headaches usually are caused by the pain in the upper part of someone's back and neck, which can also occur because of the contraction and tautness of the neck's muscles. 

According to the National Headache Foundation, 29 million Americans experience both fibromyalgia and chronic migraines, and women are more prone to migraines than men.

Does a Piercing Help Relieve Migraines and Fibromyalgia?

The severe headaches can be caused by too much sound, glowing light, some foods and everyday jobs. However, scientists have not been able to understand why these headaches affect only a number of patients. To relieve them, patients have tried medications, treatments, and even anti-depressants. But, some patients try alternative methods like acupuncture. 

One of these alternative methods? A piercing called a daith. Let's face it, migraines can really be debilitating. They can be so severe that they can send someone to the ER, and sometimes, they can even mimic or have the same effects of a seizure. But, remember, a migraine can affect those who are not affected by fibromyalgia as well. 

Acupuncture has been found to relieve fibromyalgia pain and migraines, but it can be too expensive and completely out of the way. This is why some patents are looking at the daith. It's a very similar method to acupuncture in that it targets a specific pressure point to relieve pain, and it is also a cheaper method.

But, really? A piercing? Yes, piercings do have a negative undertone attached to them. Between your grandmother looking down at you at the dinner table, or the boss who swears to not hire employees with a piercing, you might look at this piercing with a little skepticism. Is it really the greatest idea? We can't really change your opinion, but what we can tell you is that both piercing specialists and doctors recommend it. Even when there isn't that much research to back it up.

Most of the stories of effectiveness come from experiences. Owner of the Tempest Artistic Studio, Dave Kurland has had customers asking for this specific piercing. It's not only because they want to look "hip," it's mainly because of how the daith piercing works to relieve chronic migraines. 

The method is similar to acupuncture, and the piercing goes in the inner cartilage in your ear. This is supposed to go through one of many pressure points, which then would decrease the amount of pressure you feel on that side of the head, which is why it is recommended to have it on the side of the head with the most pain.

Daith Piercing and Acupuncture

In terms of pressure points and acupuncture, they refer to a complicated system that is thousands of years old. The technique has always been effective, and uses specific points on the body that target specific organ functions and systems, which are all connected. The needles typically used for acupuncture bend easily and are small, small enough to target specific areas of the body.

The daith uses the same method. Think about it how similar the needle for a piercing is to a needle used in acupuncture. But, now with that thought in your head, how much can it really help? On both sides? Well, it's actually 50/50. Even the trained acupuncturist can miss the area with the most pressure. So, with a 50/50 effectiveness, is it really worth it?

Daith Cartilage Piercing

The piercing has been practiced for thousands of years, but most people think that it started in 1990’s. While most say it helps with migraines, a large number of patients will tell you the opposite. But, though the effectiveness is called into question, it's a far less expensive option. And, if that pressure point is correctly hit, it can help patients with nausea, stress, and overall pain. And, it's only approximately $45 and a ten minute procedure, so it may be worth it.

Take Kimberly Gratz. She has been suffering from fibromyalgia for more than a year, and because she was dealing with a migraine she went for a daith piercing. But, since the daith piercing, she hasn't had as much pain. She isn't sure that it was the daith piercing that ultimately helped her, but she does know that since the piercing, she felt relief. So, for her, there's no harm in trying it.

If there's an alternative treatment that works for you, you should definitely try it. With fibromyalgia, you have to think of yourself when looking for treatment. What may work for someone else, may not actually work for you. Some other alternative treatments include Tai Chi, yoga, and behavioral therapy.

Is Daith Piercing Safe?

Like other piercings, the daith piercing is just as safe. However, you should clean it at least once or twice a day to avoid infections. Whether or not a piercing hurts also depends on the patient's threshold. If you are sensitive to pain, it may not be a good idea to get the piercing.

Sources

http://fibromyalgiaresources.com/daith-piercing-relieves-fibromyalgia-pain/