Can Your Piercing Eliminate Migraines and Reduce Your Allergies? Piercings Rumoured to Have Health Benefits

Thanks to social media, there’s been recent buzz about whether piercings offer more than a cool look. Can they help with health issues like anxiety, cravings, allergies, and migraines, or is it smoke and mirrors? Read on as we dive into popular piercing styles that are rumored to do more than just boost your self-confidence.

Why Do People Believe Ear Piercings Have Health Benefits? 

 One reason this concept has gained traction is that according to acupuncture, the ear is a centralized location for 200 acupoints, providing a gateway for pain relief throughout the body. While acupuncture offers a temporary solution, some believe that getting a piercing on an acupoint may provide ongoing relief. Much of this information is anecdotal and not backed by scientific studies. But, if you like the way your piercing looks (regardless of whether it helps with a specific health issue), go for it! Just keep in mind that we’re body artists, not doctors, and piercings should never replace medical treatment. Below, we discuss specific piercings and their rumored health effects:

Daith Piercings & Migraine Relief

One of the most buzzed-about piercings with supposed health benefits is the daith piercing and its ability to reduce migraine symptoms. Located between the ridge-like part of your ear that runs from the forward helix to the conch (just above your ear canal), this piercing is centered on an acupoint associated with muscle relaxation. From YouTube videos to Instagram influencers, there have been many reports of people who stopped suffering from migraines after getting a daith piercing or saw significant symptom reduction. The scientific community also took notice: A London study concluded that 75% of migraine-suffering patients who got daith piercings saw improvement or elimination of their symptoms. Other studies showed inconclusive results or discredited the content quality of the posts making these claims. While the jury's still out on the scientific side, the daith remains a popular choice for both its stylish look and its intriguing reputation.

Helix Piercings to Reduce Anxiety & Allergies

Helix piercings, which are placed on the outer, upper ridge of your ear, have been associated with reducing stress and anxiety. Some claim helix piercings can even help with insomnia. For those who opt for an industrial piercing (connecting the helix and forward helix), there's a theory that it might potentially alleviate allergy symptoms. This idea stems from its location, believed to be near acupoints linked to allergies and antihistamines. 

Conch Piercings for Pain and Peace 

The conch piercing, nestled in the inner part of your middle ear, offers a great canvas for different jewelry styles. Popular conch piercing styles include huggie jewelry that connects the outer conch to the inner conch in the middle section of the ear.     

Beyond aesthetics, though, some believe the piercing may ease bodily tension and possibly reduce chronic pain, but the jury is still out on whether it does or not. 

Tragus Piercings that Reduce Cravings 

The tragus, that small, triangular cartilage on the side of your face, is a unique spot for a piercing. The tragus piercing is linked to hunger and the adrenal gland. It’s suggested that a piercing here can help curb sugar cravings, aid digestion, and potentially reduce appetite. While we can't promise a tragus piercing will help you reach your health goals, we can promise a tragus piercing will help you stand out from the crowd! 

Nostril Piercings to Activate Internal Energy

Nostril piercings have a rich history of tradition and symbolism in various cultures, particularly in Hindu and Buddhist cultures. In Hinduism, the nose is considered a crucial energy center that can stimulate the third-eye chakra. This chakra controls wisdom, intuition, and connection to higher consciousness. According to the Indian medicinal practice of Ayurveda, piercing a woman’s left nostril can help ease menstrual cycle symptoms and aid in reproductive health.

Lobe Piercings: Creativity and Brain Connection

According to Ayurveda, an ear piercing on the lower earlobe can improve vision and hearing. The lower earlobe connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, which are vital in maintaining hearing and stimulating brain activity. This is because many of the acupoints related to the brain are located on the lower part of the earlobe. 

Piercings for Mental Health

Several ear piercings are believed to help manage your mental health. The rook piercing, which is located on the flat part of your upper ear just above the daith, is believed to help reduce stress. Upper ridge and flat ear piercings may alleviate depression. In addition, some cultural practices associate navel piercings with activating the creativity and wellness chakras.

Fine Ink Studios: Ear Piercing Studios in Orlando

Whether you want your piercing to add to your ear stack or are curious about its health benefits, you want to choose a body piercing studio that can ensure proper placement and understands the look you’re going for. With over 20 locations throughout Central Florida and Tampa, our experienced piercing artists at Fine Ink Studios will ensure you get your desired placement. Book your consultation to get matched with a Fine Ink body artist near you!