Piercing Types

All about the daith piercing: pain, healing, sleeping, earbuds, jewelry, and migraines. Professionally pierced at All Perfectly Pierced in Rhoon.

At All Perfectly Pierced, we regularly receive questions about the daith piercing and migraine. Some people have read online that a daith piercing can help with migraine symptoms. Others know someone who claims to have fewer attacks since getting this piercing. This makes the daith piercing interesting, but also confusing, for many people. What is truly known? What is mainly based on personal experiences? And what should you consider if you are contemplating a daith piercing, not just for migraine, but also because you find this piercing aesthetically pleasing? In this blog, we will calmly guide you through what is known and not known about the daith piercing and migraine. We will explain why the location of this piercing is often linked to pressure points, why scientific evidence is lacking, and why proper anatomical placement always remains important. What is a daith piercing? A daith piercing is placed in the cartilage on the inside of the ear, just above the ear canal. It is a piercing located deep in the ear, making it often more subtle than, for example, a helix or conch piercing. Precisely because the daith piercing is located in a hard-to-reach spot, this piercing demands experience, calmness, and precision. Not every ear is suitable for a daith piercing. The shape, depth, and firmness of the cartilage determine whether the piercing can be placed beautifully and responsibly. Therefore, a daith piercing must not only be in the right place for aesthetics but also be positioned so that the jewelry lies comfortably and the piercing can heal properly.Want to know more about pain, healing, sleeping, and jewelry? Read our complete guide on the daith piercing. Determining the placement of a daith piercing in the inner cartilage of the ear The possible link between migraine and the daith piercing The link between the daith piercing and migraine primarily stems from acupuncture and pressure points in the ear. Within certain forms of ear acupuncture, the ear is viewed as a place where various points are supposedly connected to other parts of the body. The idea behind the daith piercing for migraine is that the piercing would be located on or around a pressure point associated with headaches or migraines. By continuously stimulating that point with jewelry, some people hope to experience fewer migraine symptoms. It is important to be clear about this: this is a theory. While some people share positive experiences, this does not automatically mean that the daith piercing is medically proven to work against migraines. Does a daith piercing really help against migraines? Currently, there is no strong scientific evidence that a daith piercing can prevent or treat migraines. Organizations such as the American Migraine Foundation and Cleveland Clinic indicate that there is no convincing evidence that a daith piercing works as a migraine treatment. This does not mean that personal experiences cannot be genuine. Some people do indeed experience fewer symptoms after getting a daith piercing. However, we do not fully understand why this is. It could be related to personal sensitivity, a placebo effect, a shift in attention to symptoms, natural fluctuations in migraines, or a combination of factors. Therefore, we believe it is important to be honest. A daith piercing can be a beautiful piercing. Some clients also hope for relief from migraine symptoms. But a daith piercing is not a medical treatment and no guarantee of fewer migraines. If you experience migraines, always discuss your symptoms with your general practitioner, neurologist, or treating specialist. Why anatomically correct piercing remains important With a daith piercing, it's not just about where a potential pressure point might be. Fundamentally, it remains a cartilage piercing. And a cartilage piercing must be anatomically well-placed to heal comfortably. If a daith piercing is placed too deep, too crooked, or under tension, it can cause problems. This includes prolonged irritation, pressure points, swelling, pain when wearing earbuds, or jewelry that doesn't sit comfortably in the ear. That's why we always look at the ear itself first. Is there enough space? Is the cartilage favorably positioned? Can the jewelry be placed properly without tension? And does this piercing fit your daily life, for example, if you use a lot of earbuds, wear headphones, or sleep on that side? A piercing that is theoretically on a certain point but not anatomically well-placed can ultimately cause issues. For us, the basic principle always remains: safe piercing, careful consideration of anatomy, and honest advice if a daith piercing is not advisable. About medical daith piercing clinics In the Netherlands, we increasingly see clinics specifically focusing on the daith piercing as a potential treatment for migraines. Some clinics state that they conduct additional research on the ear, for example, via scans or measurements that are supposed to determine pressure points or nerve pathways. We cannot assess what each clinic precisely investigates or which method is used. What we do consider important is that a daith piercing should never be placed solely based on a potential medical theory. It remains a cartilage piercing, and it must be technically well-placed to heal comfortably. In practice, we sometimes see clients with a daith piercing that does not heal calmly, is crooked, or causes too much pressure. Sometimes, it seems that the focus has primarily been on a so-called treatment or pressure point, while the anatomy of the ear and the healing of the piercing have received less attention. We consider this a risk. Even if someone is considering a daith piercing for migraines, the piercing itself still needs to be placed responsibly. A good piercing begins with anatomy, material, hygiene, technique, and aftercare. Beware of medical promises surrounding piercings The daith piercing is not the only piercing linked online to physical ailments. We increasingly see claims about piercings for stress, burnout, weight loss, depression, or other conditions. We believe one should be cautious about such claims. While a piercing can significantly impact how you feel about your body, style, and appearance, it is not a substitute for medical care. When do you consciously choose a daith piercing then? A daith piercing can still be a beautiful choice. Especially if you like the piercing and understand that its effect on migraines is not proven. So don't opt for a daith piercing because someone promises your migraines will disappear. Choose it if you are well-informed, like the piercing, and have realistic expectations. During your appointment, we will calmly assess your ear, your wishes, and your daily habits. We will discuss which jewelry is suitable to start with and how best to care for the piercing during healing. If your anatomy is not suitable for a daith piercing, we will tell you honestly. Sometimes, another piercing is more beautiful, more comfortable, and wiser for your ear. At All Perfectly Pierced, we therefore do not promise a cure for migraines or other ailments. What we do is honestly assess your situation. We determine if your ear is suitable for a daith piercing, explain what to expect, and only perform the piercing if we deem it responsible. Get a daith piercing at All Perfectly Pierced Do you want to get a daith piercing and are you unsure if your ear is suitable? Then you are welcome at our studio in Rhoon. At All Perfectly Pierced, we take the time to carefully examine your ear. We look at the shape of your cartilage, the placement of the jewelry, your wishes, and your lifestyle. This way, we ensure that you not only get a beautiful piercing but also one that is placed responsibly and can heal as calmly as possible. If you experience migraine symptoms, we always advise you to discuss this medically with your general practitioner or specialist. We cannot treat migraines, but we can give you honest advice about the daith piercing itself. Want to know if a daith piercing suits your ear? Make an appointment at our studio. Sources and medical nuance The American Migraine Foundation states that there is no scientific evidence that a daith piercing can treat or prevent migraines. The Cleveland Clinic also notes that there is no clinical evidence that a daith piercing works as a migraine treatment. There are personal experiences of people who report improvement, but that is different from proven medical effect. So, a daith piercing can be a beautiful piercing, but it is not a substitute for medical care. If you experience migraine symptoms, always discuss them with your GP, neurologist, or treating specialist.