Daith Piercing for Migraines

My buddies and I piled into the car and drove to Standard Ink in Chattanooga. At the time, I was feeling tons of pressure at the base of my skull on the right side. I have a very high pain tolerance and this was wearing me down after seven days.

Grace and I were the ones actually getting pierced. It’s such a relief to have someone who understands exactly what you’re going through when you have migraines. I am blessed to have her in my life and share our struggles together.

And Lauren was our support system to hold our hands! I admit that I am the biggest baby about needles. I am just not good with them at all. She made sure that we stayed strong! She’s fabulous, y’all.

I decided to get my right side pierced first. From everything I have read, you get your dominant side pierced. For someone with true neurological migraines, you typically have a side that is dominant. Most of your pain and symptoms will be on your right or left side. Mine are mostly on my right side. When I was pierced, I had the initial two seconds of pain and pressure. Then I felt okay. I don’t really know how to describe things other than I walked into the place with a seven day migraine and I walked out with a sore ear.

My friends and I decided to test things out with dinner. We went to Aretha Frankenstein’s and I ordered the French toast. I was able to finally eat and keep everything down. I went home and I was just relieved. I did not take my Fioricet for the first time in seven days. 

I woke up the next day and everything felt good. I cared for my piercing just as Standard Ink instructed me to. No pain, no issues at all. In all honesty, I thought it was bogus. I kept thinking there was no way this had anything to do with my piercing. I did notice all pain on my right side was completely gone. All shoulder and neck knots were gone for the first time in months. That’s actually one of my migraine symptoms. I remained skeptical.

The next day I noticed that I had a sinus pain on the front left side of my head. I never had that and I thought it was strange. One of my dear friends has a husband who does acupuncture. Since the daith piercing is based mostly on the acupuncture theory, it is recommended that you keep everything balanced. What you do to one side, you need to do to the other.

I spent Saturday afternoon with my niece at her softball practice.

And then my brother and I drove back to Standard Ink to pierce the other side. I cannot recommend strongly enough to you how important it is to go to someone that not only has a clean shop, but is accredited and recommended. I heard horror stories from people who knew others who got the wrong place pierced! It’s also important that someone does this piercing deep enough. You are aiming to reach a certain nerve, in theory. If you miss it, you will not get relief. You’re just going to end up with a hole in your head.

Before you try this, I do have some recommendations:

1. Go into this with the expectation of just getting a piercing. If it works, fabulous! If not, do not be disappointed. What works for me, may not work for you. Do not be disappointed. 
2. Use someone with experience, accreditation, a clean shop, and certification. Do your research! Do not be afraid to speak up and ask questions. This is your body. 
3. Do not touch your piercing. You have germs on your hands and under your fingernails. This is a slow healing piercing and you need to keep it clean. Leave it alone. Follow the aftercare instructions. 
4. Have someone with you in case you feel rough after. Some people don’t handle needles well or it could even trigger a migraine. I’ve read some different stories. Just in case, have a buddy! 
5. Pick your side with the most symptoms or pain to do first.