Living with severe migraine attacks is frustrating. Many treatments are available, but some people are interested in trying an unconventional method for relief: the Daith piercing. This piercing aims at the cartilage inside the ear, which is linked to the vagus nerve in the brain stem. Understanding the connection between the vagal nerve and migraine frequency is essential in exploring this alternative therapy and its potential benefits. In this blog post, we’ll discuss vagal nerve function, its role in migraine, and the likely effectiveness of daith piercings as a treatment.
Understanding the Vagal Nerve and Migraines
The vagus nerve assumes a significant part in controlling our autonomic sensory system. It helps control heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure. Recent studies indicate that the vagus nerve may also play a part in migraine episodes. Migraines are severe neurologic events with nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness, fatigue, and visual disturbances. We need to understand what causes migraine attacks entirely. Changes in how the vagus nerve works could be a factor. The vagus nerve contains tactile filaments that pass signals on to the mind and engine strands that communicate data from the cerebrum to different organs in the body. If the sensory fibers are activated abnormally, it can lead to migraine attacks. Enhancing the activity of the vagus nerve might help treat migraine.
Daith Piercings as Alternative Therapy
Daith piercings are ear cartilage piercings in the innermost part of the ear. Some people think they might help with migraine frequency. They say the piercing targets specific pressure points and affects the vagal nerve, which could ease migraine attacks.
There is some evidence from people’s stories that getting a daith piercing has helped reduce how often they get attacks and how bad they are. Some supporters say the piercing stimulates nerve endings in the ear, which support the function of the vagal system.
However, being careful about these claims is essential because there isn’t much scientific evidence yet. Some experts think stimulating the vagal nerve might work, but others aren’t sure. Before you try this or any other home remedies, talk to your doctor first. There are more straightforward ways to test if stimulating the vagus nerve could help with migraine frequency, and we’ll talk about those later in this article.
Exploring Vagal Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment Option
Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is a medical method that can help with migraine. A small device, similar to a pacemaker, is implanted under the skin, sending electrical impulses to the vagal nerve. This method might regulate the release of neurotransmitters linked to the onset of migraines. VNS is an invasive method, but less invasive options are available to improve vagal tone. Research has demonstrated encouraging outcomes for vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) in the treatment of migraine episodes.
Common Vagal Nerve Therapies
1: Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS)
This non-surgical approach involves placing a small device on the ear or neck to activate the vagus nerve, aiming to adjust vagal tone and potentially lessen both the frequency and intensity of migraines. Some products in this category include GammaCore, Truvaga, Zok, and OTC TENS units.
2: Breathing exercises
Recollect that participating in sluggish breathing methods can enact the quieting capability of the vagus nerve. Techniques like diaphragmatic breathing, alternate nostril breathing, and physiologic sighs may help restore balance to the autonomic nervous system, potentially relieving migraine symptoms.
3: Acupuncture
Acupuncture, a technique rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. You can also stimulate acupuncture points without using needles. Targeting acupuncture points linked to the vagus nerve may help manage migraine frequency and severity.
4: Meditation and Mindfulness
Regular meditation or mindfulness practices have a positive effect on the vagal nerve, which helps reduce hormones like cortisol and epinephrine that are associated with more frequent migraine attacks. These practices can indirectly help people with migraine by reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
5: Exercise and Physical Activity
Regular exercise has been found to improve vagal tone. Brisk walking or swimming can enhance vagal nerve function and help with migraine attacks, potentially complementing the effects of a Daith Piercing. Begin with a slow and steady pace, gradually building up the intensity of your physical activity. Doing too much exercise too quickly might overwhelm the body’s autonomic system and trigger a migraine.
6: Cold Therapy
Applying a cold compress to your face or neck might help relieve migraine frequency by stimulating the vagus nerve. Cold therapy triggers the “diving reflex,” which promotes relaxation and increases vagal nerve output. You can also achieve this response by gradually exposing your body to cold. Start using a cold washcloth on your face, hands, or feet before exposure to the whole body. Gradually extend the time up to 3 minutes while progressively decreasing the temperature. Be cautious when starting cold therapies, and take them step by step.
7: Biofeedback Therapy
You can use biofeedback techniques to learn how to control your body’s responses, like vagal tone. You can track your stress levels with a watch or tracking software like an Oura ring or a Fitbit to gather data on your daily stress responses and overall stress.
8: Yoga and Pilates
Yoga includes physical poses, breath control, and mindfulness practices. This can positively impact vagal tone and overall nervous system function. Certain yoga poses and breathing techniques may stimulate the vagus nerve and help manage migraine attacks. Pilates works similarly and is generally a good starting point for exercise. It promotes core strength, flexibility, and good posture. Since most of it is done lying on your back, it’s a safe option if you’re afraid exercise might trigger an attack.
9: Tapping
Tapping, or on the other hand alluded to as the Close to home Opportunity Strategy (EFT), fills in as a pressure help method. It involves gently tapping on specific energy points on the body while saying affirmations or statements. This practice can help reduce stress and negative emotions, promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and improve overall well-being.
10: Grounding
Establishing or earthing is performed by interfacing with the world’s energy by strolling shoeless on grass, soil, or sand or utilizing an establishing mat. Good research supports this technique and its ability to reduce cortisol and other hormones that affect relaxation and vagal tone.
If you try these methods and find them beneficial, it could mean that poor vagal function is contributing to your migraine attacks. Getting a daith piercing, although not fully understood, might help reduce how often you get episodes. Based on feedback from successful patients, you should have the piercing on the side where you usually feel the most head pain, as most migraine attacks typically affect one side more than the other.
Conclusion
There isn’t much scientific proof that daith piercings help with migraine, but we know more about the link between vagal nerve function and migraine attacks. It’s best to look into vagal nerve stimulation before thinking about a daith piercing. When looking at other ways to treat migraine, consult with a healthcare professional before deciding. Migraine is a complex condition, so it’s important to have personalized approaches to manage and treat it. Knowing how the vagal nerve is involved in migraine may lead to better treatments to ease this challenging condition.
About the Author
Dr. Thompson Maesaka is a co-owner and clinician at The Neural Connection, a functional neurology clinic in Edina, Minnesota. The Neural Connection specializes in managing migraine, concussions, and dizziness holistically.