Shenmen or migraine piercing? When does the specialist recommend which?

I am often asked the following question: should I have a Shenmen or a migraine piercing in my ear? Deciding this, however, requires thorough research, and last but not least it is based on individual needs and problems.

In this article I have collected a few considerations for you that may help you decide!

Shenmen or migraine piercing? What is the difference?

Acupuncture is a familiar concept to everyone. Traditional Chinese Medicine distinguishes 5 main acupuncture points in the ear, known as NADA points, and the best known of these is the Shenmen point. The word Shenmen means “divine gate”. By stimulating this special point, located in the uppermost segment of the outer ear, a calm, relaxed state can be achieved.

A migraine piercing is also placed in such a special point. This wellbeing body jewellery is placed in the fold above the ear canal, which requires precise work.

So whether a Shenmen or a migraine piercing is recommended depends on the person’s problem and on how severe it is.

Which is recommended when?

According to our guests’ feedback, the biggest thing the two piercings had in common was their calming, anxiety-relieving effect. There are, however, more specific problems where only the Shenmen or only the migraine piercing helped the people who came to us.

Problems that several thousand of our guests have been helped to reduce by the Shenmen piercing:

· depression

· headaches, migraine

· addictions

· sleep problems

· allergy

· stress

· joint pain

And the migraine piercing was a great help to them not only with the complaint in its name, as positive feedback has also come in for the following headaches:

· tension

· cluster

· hormonal

· weather-sensitive

Based on this, it may already be a little easier to determine whether a Shenmen or a migraine piercing may be better for us. But since the two pieces of body jewellery are still very similar when it comes to headaches, let’s look at some further considerations!

What does research say? Shenmen or migraine piercing?

I have brought a few studies that may help you decide whether a Shenmen or a migraine piercing should go in your ear.

The link between the Shenmen point and depression

In a study published in January 2022 the electroacupuncture treatment of the Shenmen and Sanyinjiao points was examined. The ninety participants suffering from insomnia and depression were divided into 3 groups:

· a Shenmen group (30 people)

· a Sanyinjiao group (30 people)

· and a combined group (30 people)

The participants were treated with electroacupuncture for 30 minutes a day, only on the point of the group they belonged to. The study lasted 2 × 5 days, so the patients received treatment continuously for 5 days, then after a break of a few days another 5 days followed.

Before and after the treatment, the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the anxiety scale (SAS) value and the depression scale (SDS) scores were assessed, and the serum levels of dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NE) in the blood were measured.

Based on the results, it was shown that the results of all three scales decreased by the end of the treatments in all three groups, but stimulation of the Shenmen point played an outstanding role in relieving anxiety and depression.

The effect of the migraine piercing on headaches

The London Migraine Clinic, in a study it carried out, examined people with migraine who had received a Daith piercing.

The results of the study are as follows:

· 75% of the participants state that after the piercing was placed their headaches eased significantly or went away completely

· 82% of those with the piercing are completely satisfied

· only 11% reported that they did not notice a significant change after the piercing

According to the doctors who carried out the study, Dr Chris Blatchley and Professor Arnold Wilkins, this procedure puts less strain on the body than constant use of medication, and if the piercing is done by the right specialist, the rate of positive results may be even higher.

What do the reviews say? Is the Shenmen or the migraine piercing better?

My guests’ reviews of the migraine piercing:

I am happy that after a long time I finally decided on the migraine piercing. I don’t regret it! And Gabi’s hand is pinpoint-accurate and confident! Thank you, I am very grateful! P.S.: the fact that you asked how I was even 2 weeks later meant an incredible amount to me!

Shenmen piercing experiences:

I have always been an anxious type, ever since I was a child. I was stressed mainly about my performance at school, and later, in the world of work, I felt this anxiety from the pressure to live up to expectations every day. Luckily I ended up with Gabi, who did my Shenmen piercing, and since then my everyday life has completely changed. I go into work much more relaxed, and I don’t get stressed in unusual situations either.

Those who had both piercings:

First I had a migraine piercing, but somehow it didn’t bring the result I had hoped for. I went back to Medical Piercing, and they suggested the Shenmen as well. I agreed, because I didn’t want to take any more medication. I can say I absolutely don’t regret it! I am grateful that I didn’t give up, and thank you, Gabi, for your patience! I can only recommend it, especially the two together!

There’s no point taking medication unnecessarily – get the migraine piercing done as soon as possible (together with the Shenmen). You can be sure of its effect! This is the message from an experienced, enthusiastic “fan”!

What does the Medical Piercing specialist recommend?

A Medical Piercing specialist’s advice: first of all, I recommend that you look into the subject thoroughly and talk to people who already have a Shenmen or migraine piercing in their ear. Then assess your own situation and think about which of your complaints you would like to reduce with the piercing.

Always go to a piercer who doesn’t pierce straight away but asks you a few questions and looks into your problem. If they get a full picture of your complaints, they can also recommend the right wellbeing body jewellery for you.

As we are all unique, different things will work for different people. Find out which piercing is yours! It might even be both…

Our wellbeing piercings do not count as a cure and do not replace medical treatment; the description of their effectiveness is based on our guests’ feedback.

Would you like to be sure and take part in an assessment before deciding? At my studio I also take your medical history before the piercing, and you receive detailed information about the piercing you have chosen! Book an appointment, and we can meet within a few days!