Daith Piercing for Migraines - Tales From a Non-Rebel, 40-Something Mother of 2.
I have no tattoos. Heck, I'd never even been to a tattoo parlor! I had my ears pierced at age 13 at the mall but that was a looonngg time ago. I've gotten migraines since I was a teenager and while there are various triggers, one of my biggies is from sinus and air pressure changes. I heard about daith piercings by chance from a checker at the grocery store. She had horrible migraines and said she hadn't had one in 2 years after getting the piercing! I'm not one to do something crazy like a piercing without checking it out first so besides researching it online, I asked my primary care Dr. He said there wasn't a lot of scientific data about it but that he had a few patients who had tried it with success. The risks were the same as getting your ears pierced - they can get infected if you don't take care of them. Still uncertain, I started a search for someone to do the piercing. I checked websites, reviews on multiple sites (Google, Yelp, Facebook) and found that the best choice was in my own backyard in Wentzville - Ultimate Form Tattoo Studio. Since I am thorough in my research (and a chicken!), I called to ask my list of questions first. I knew that Bo did the piercings but it was Jimbo who answered the phone. (Jimbo who is the definition of character. He could sub for a member of ZZ Top if needed.) He said that they had done about 200 of these piercings for migraine sufferers and that about 97% had complete relief. Those are some good odds! I could tell that Jimbo was not the kind of person who would blow sunshine up my skirt. He's a straight shooter. I decided to get both ears done since I have pain on both sides of my head. They got me in about an hour later. I wanted to go before I changed my mind.
The studio had the flavor that I had expected - pin up models with tattoos (they were tasteful though!), Harley motorcycle stuff and the pencil holder of a butt - complete with the pencil sticking out. The place was very, very clean though. I could tell that they took things like germs really seriously! Bo is a little more quiet than Jimbo but has a great sense of humor. I could tell right away that he knew his craft very well and I didn't have to worry about anything. I didn't have a migraine when I went but my head felt like a balloon because of sinus pressure. He pierced the first ear. It didn't hurt any more than getting a shot. Then the most bizarre thing happened - that size of my head completely cleared within a couple of seconds! The other side still felt like a balloon! I didn't expect that at all! Same thing happened on the other side after he pierced it! I don't know if this is normal or not. Maybe I am an airhead like my husband has dared say before!
It's been about a week since my trip to the wild side. Not only have I not had a migraine, I haven't had any sinus pressure either. It's May in STL and pollen counts are off the charts - but my sinuses are clear as can be! It's not all fun and games though. My ears are sore like if you have earbuds that are too big in your ears too long. I have to clean them several times a day and move the rings so they don't get stuck. I get a little dizzy when that happens! I also get a headache after moving them but they aren't bad and go away quickly. I know that will get better as they heal. So would I go and get more piercings for aesthetics? Nope! Would I do it all over again for migraines? In a heartbeat! I had a very positive experience at Ultimate Art Form though. My percussionist son wants to get a tattoo. I wouldn't hesitate to send him to Bo or Jimbo. read more
