mar's Desk

marcoujor: Pondering daith piercing for pain relief?

5/31/2017

Thanks for joining me on this post which is a follow up to last week’s, Musings on Migraines.

This week I’d like to share my friend, Angelia Phillips’ journey with migraines. Please check out two recent posts from her website, flashPress.weebly.com

☙ Daith Piercing: Relief from migraines and more

☙ Organic Alternatives: Confuse the brain to ease the pain

As I had never recognized daith piercings in others as a potential relief for migraines and other types of pain, I was intrigued to hear Ange’s experiences.

In fact, I had some further questions, which she was kind enough to answer for me, and allow me to share with you.

Maria: Speak more about a second piercing...

Angelia: I’ll know if I need a second piercing if the migraines begin migrating (pun intended but accurate) to another area, such as centered or to the right side. Thus far, that has been the somewhat of the case. However, since the piercing is still new, I want to give my body time to adjust and let the nerves figure out how they want to react to this.

Also, the side of one’s head that has the daith piercing needs time to heal up. Pressure on this area is both painful and can cause a slowing in wound healing.

Once the wound is healed, if I’m still experiencing migraine pain anywhere, or even moderate headache pain, I’ll have the right ear done.

Angelia's daith piercing at two weeks into healing. It's red due to cleansing manipulations, not infection.

Maria: What are the benefits of the daith piercing?

Angelia: Thus far, the benefits of just having one side done have honestly been remarkable. I’ve only had to take meds for headache/migraine pain twice, and only once did I take a maximum dose.

Other perks I’ve noticed are...

Fewer/shorter bouts of fatigue, except for when I’m tired due to exertion, such as a workout
Less trouble with frequent nausea and nervous stomach
Decrease in anxiety and restlessness

Maria: How did you decide when to have it done?

Angelia: I was having migraine pain more and more often. The headaches were almost constantly causing me to not be able to keep up with my schedule. I was also having to take even more meds than previous years to handle the pain, as much as possible. It had all the makings of a potential train wreck for my liver and digestive system.

The daith piercing was an organic option with a high probability of solving the whole headache challenge. I had little to lose and a great deal to gain, so I went with it.

The short-term discomfort is well worth the long-term benefits.

Maria: My nursing students and their instructors are only able to wear one small post earring on each lobe in the clinical / hospital units. Does the daith piercing have to be worn 24/7 for maximum effect or can it be removed during work hours?

Angelia: The hoop or post has to be worn for six weeks, without removing to prevent wound closure. It's also recommended to be worn permanently, even after healing, for the same reason.

Some healed wounds can close in a very short time, even if the piercing is many years old. To prevent having to repeat the process, it’s recommended daith hoops or posts be worn permanently.

Maria: Did you only discover your allergy to metals after the piercing?

Angelia: Nope. I’ve known I have a metal allergy since I was a kid. Nearly any metal against my skin caused a reaction, like a watch band clasp or sunglasses with metal frames. I’ve had a reaction to every metal I’ve come into moderate contact with, other than gold or silver.

Maria: Is there a difference in benefit with the type of material of the earring used in the daith piercing?

Angelia: Yes. Some folks with metal allergies do very well with surgical steel. Not me, but many. Others can minimize their reaction risk as well by choosing to go with titanium hoops.

I went with titanium and have been reacting to it, although it’s been mild. I’ve not rashed but I’ve had consistent weeping and crystallizing of serous fluid on the ring and at the wound edges. I’ve spoken with others who developed slight weeping and crystallization on the hoop and near the wound entrances, but it stopped and cleared up completely over a couple months of healing. So, I’m hoping I’ll not have to do a replacement at all. If I do, I’ll switch to high-grade sterling.

Thanks, dear Ange for answering my questions, which I believe will be of interest and help to others as well.

I look forward to hearing about your continued experiences. Would even make a wonderful video, from before to months after? Just sayin’. 😏