The Piercing That Helps with Migraines: Unveiling the Vagal Nerve Connection

Living with severe migraines can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening. While there are many treatments available, there’s a growing interest in an unconventional method for relief – a specific piercing that helps with migraines: the Daith piercing. This piercing targets the inner ear cartilage, which connects to the vagal system in the brain stem. Exploring the connection between the vagal nerve and migraine frequency is essential to understanding this alternative therapy and its potential benefits. In this blog post, we’ll explore vagal nerve function, its role in migraines, and the likely effectiveness of daith piercings as a viable treatment.

Understanding the Vagal Nerve and Migraines

The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in our autonomic nervous system. This nerve regulates various bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure. Recent research suggests that the vagus nerve may also be involved in migraines.

Migraines are complex neurological conditions that cause severe, pulsating head pain. Nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, fatigue, nausea, and visual disturbances often accompany them. Researchers still need to understand the exact causes of migraines fully. Still, studies have revealed that alterations in the vagal nerve’s function may contribute to their development and intensity.

The vagal nerve operates through two parts: the sensory fibers that carry signals to the brain and the motor fibers that transmit information from the brain to the organs. Abnormal activation of the sensory fibers can trigger a cascade of events leading to migraines. This suggests that improving the vagal nerve’s activity may have therapeutic potential in relieving migraines.

Daith Piercings as Alternative Therapy

Daith piercings are ear cartilage piercings done in the innermost part of the ear. They have gained attention as a potential remedy for migraines. Supporters of this unconventional therapy claim that the piercing targets specific pressure points and directly impacts the vagal nerve, consequently relieving migraines.

Indeed, anecdotal evidence suggests that some individuals have experienced reduced migraine frequency and intensity after getting a daith piercing. Proponents of daith piercings contend that the piercing stimulates the vagal nerve endings in the ear, promoting the release of neurotransmitters that may counteract migraine triggers.

However, it is vital to approach the claims surrounding daith piercings with caution, as scientific evidence supporting this therapy is limited. The medical community is divided, with some experts endorsing the potential role of vagal nerve stimulation. Before trying any remedies or therapies at home, patients should consult their medical provider or primary care physician. The easy way to figure out if this piercing will work for you is to try other forms of vagus nerve stimulation. A list is provided later on in this article.

Exploring Vagal Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment Option

Beyond daith piercings, vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) has emerged as a medically recognized way to modulate vagal nerve function and potentially alleviate migraines. VNS involves using a small device implanted under the skin, similar to a pacemaker, which regularly delivers electrical impulses to the vagal nerve. This is the most invasive method of improving vagal tone, and many more conservative options are available.

Studies have shown promising results for VNS in migraine management. By changing the vagal nerve’s activity, VNS may help regulate the release of neurotransmitters involved in migraine pathophysiology.

Common Vagal Nerve Therapies

1. Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS)

In this non-invasive approach, a small device is placed on the ear or neck to stimulate the vagus nerve. It’s believed that tVNS can help regulate the vagal tone and potentially reduce migraine frequency and intensity. Some products in this category are GammaCore, Truvaga, Zok, and OTC TENS units.

2: Breathing exercises

Slow breathing techniques can activate the vagus nerve’s calming function. Methods such as diaphragmatic or alternate nostril breathing may help restore balance to the autonomic nervous system, potentially relieving migraines. Techniques like the physiologic sigh, and alternate nostril breathing are also effective at reducing stress. 

3. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice, involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body. There are also several less invasive ways to stimulate acupuncture points yourself, without the use of needles. Targeting acupuncture points associated with the vagus nerve may help modulate its function for migraine management. 

4: Meditation and Mindfulness

Regular meditation or mindfulness practices have positively impacted vagal nerve function. It reduces cortisol, epinephrine, and other hormones associated with higher migraine frequency. By reducing stress and promoting relaxation, these practices may indirectly benefit individuals suffering from migraines.

5. Exercise and Physical Activity

 Studies have shown that regular exercise improves vagal tone. Aerobic activities like brisk walking or jogging can enhance vagal nerve function and ease migraines. Start gradually and work your way up. Too much exercise too soon may overwhelm the autonomic system and trigger a migraine. Long term commitment to exercising regularly will effect vagal tone positively. 

6. Cold Therapy

Applying cold compresses to the face or neck may stimulate the vagus nerve and offer temporary relief from migraines. Cold therapy activates the “diving reflex,” which can trigger a relaxation response and promote vagal nerve output. Another way to activate this response is by progressing to total body exposure. Be careful when starting cold therapies. Start small, like a washcloth on the face, hands, or feet before progressing to whole body cold exposure. Work up to a total of 3 minutes, slowly decreasing temperature as you’re able. 

7. Biofeedback Therapy

Biofeedback techniques can be used to train individuals to control their physiological responses, including vagal tone. By learning to modulate vagal activity through biofeedback, individuals can reduce migraine frequency and severity. Using a watch or tracking software like an Oura ring or a fit bit can help collect data on daily stress responses and overall stress load. 

8. Yoga 

Yoga combines physical postures, breath control, and mindfulness practices, which can have a beneficial impact on vagal tone and overall nervous system function. Certain yoga poses and breathing techniques may specifically target vagus nerve stimulation and support migraine management. If you have physical limitations or have unresolved autonomic issues, pilates is a great alternative that produces the same benefits. 

9: Tapping

Tapping, also known as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), is a stress-reduction technique that involves gentle tapping on specific energy points on the body while using affirmations or statements to help alleviate stress and negative emotions. This simple yet effective practice has become popular for its ability to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and improve overall well-being.

10: Grounding

Grounding, also known as earthing, is a practice that involves connecting with the earth’s energy by walking barefoot on grass, soil, sand, or using a grounding mat. This simple yet powerful practice has been shown to have stress-reducing benefits by helping to restore balance to the body’s energy system and promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.

Suppose you try these and experience benefits from any number of them. In that case, this means a lack of vagal function is a contributing factor in why you have migraine attacks. In this case, a daith piercing, while not fully understood, may benefit your migraine frequency. A helpful tip we’ve heard from our patients who have found success is to get the piercing on whatever side you get the most head pain. Most migraine attacks have a characteristic one-sided distribution. Since the vagal system has two branches, one on each side, it is more helpful to drive input into the side that hurts more during an attack.

Conclusion

There is limited scientific evidence supporting the use of daith piercings to provide relief for some people with migraines, although the relationship between vagal nerve function and migraines is better understood. You may benefit from exploring vagal nerve stimulation more generally before considering a daith piercing. When considering alternative treatments for migraines, it’s essential to be cautious and consult with healthcare professionals before making decisions. Migraines are complex conditions that require personalized approaches to management and treatment. Knowledge of the vagal nerve’s role in migraines may yield more effective treatments to alleviate the burden of this debilitating condition.

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*Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Patients should consult their medical provider or primary care physician before trying any remedies or therapies at home.