Piercing For Anxiety | Piercings That Help with Anxiety

Written by: Stretch It Body Jewellery

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Time to read 9 min

Helix Piercing
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"Anxiety piercings are ear piercings thought to stimulate specific pressure points linked to stress relief. The concept comes from acupuncture and auriculotherapy (a fancy word for ear-based pressure point treatments)."

Ever heard of people turning to piercing for anxiety? Or perhaps you’ve been thinking about giving it a go yourself? Either way, now is a great time to start exploring the idea of piercing for anxiety that’s gaining traction as a holistic alternative to traditional methods like therapy, medication, and yoga (or used alongside them).

But honestly, can you really imagine those tiny bits of bling in your ear doubling as stress relief tools? Let’s take a closer look into the claims, the science (or lack thereof) and everything you need to know about ear piercing for anxiety.

What’s the Concept of Piercing for Anxiety?

Anxiety piercings are ear piercings thought to stimulate specific pressure points linked to stress relief. The concept comes from acupuncture and auriculotherapy (a fancy word for ear-based pressure point treatments). Practitioners of these holistic methods believe poking or applying pressure to certain points on your ear can calm your nervous system, reduce headaches, and help with anxiety.

The big selling point? These piercings could potentially serve as a permanent form of acupuncture. Plus, they look sick, which is always a bonus.

But let’s address the elephant in the room. There’s currently no definitive scientific proof around piercing that helps with anxiety. Although there’s shedloads of anecdotal evidence, sprinklings of plausibility, and a massive dose of personal choice.

So, let’s run through the most widespread types of piercing for anxiety to help you form your own opinions on the subject.

Anxiety Daith Piercing - The Star of the Show

Daith Piercing

The anxiety daith piercing is the queen bee in terms of piercing that relieves anxiety. Here’s the lowdown:

What is it?

The anxiety daith piercing nestles in the innermost cartilage fold of your ear, right near your ear canal. It’s small, subtle, and very happening.

Why it’s the Most Common Piercing for Anxiety

The anxiety daith piercing is often linked to anxiety reduction because it’s believed to target a pressure point used by acupuncture practitioners to calm the vagus nerve. And this nerve is basically the body’s chill button. It controls things like heart rate, digestion, and your ‘fight, flight or freeze’ response.

How it Works (Maybe)

The anxiety daith piercing is thought to gently stimulate the vagus nerve in a similar way to an acupuncture needle. And many people swear by its effects, even though it hasn’t been scientifically proven.

What its Advocates Say

It reduces general feelings of anxiety or stress. It helps with anxiety-related migraines. It’s a great conversation starter. (“Oh, this? It’s my anxiety daith piercing!”)

Potential Cons

The pain level is pretty high, because cartilage piercing is no joke. Infection risk is higher because of the location. There’s no guarantee an anxiety daith piercing will work for you.

Shen Men Ear Piercing for Anxiety - The Daith’s Sidekick

Shen Men Piercing

The shen men piercing for anxiety isn’t as well-known as the daith. But it’s still worth a mention. And it might float your boat if you really want to double down on your anxiety-relief strategy.

What is it?

The shen men piercing is located near the upper cartilage of the ear, just above the anxiety daith piercing.

Why it’s Cool

Holistic health practitioners claim it’s a piercing that helps with anxiety by targeting its namesake pressure point. As a result, stress is calmed, agitation is reduced, and it even helps with insomnia. All in all, it’s thought of as a hardworking multitasker for piercings that relieves anxiety.

Scientific(-ish) Backing

Studies on acupuncture have found some evidence that stimulating the shen men pressure point can lower heart rates and help with stress.

Should You Get One?

Already planning to get an anxiety daith piercing? Why not pair it with a shen men for maximum impact? Plus, it adds another layer of visual interest to your ear stack. Win: win!

Tragus Anxiety Piercing - Small but Mighty

Tragus Piercing

Next up is the tragus piercing, which some circles think is the unsung hero of piercing that helps with anxiety.

What is it?

The tragus is the little flap of cartilage that sticks out in front of your ear canal.

Why it’s Popular

This piercing is also believed to stimulate the vagus nerve, just like the anxiety daith piercing. As you’ve already gathered, this might help reduce anxiety and calm your mind (or not, depending on which side of the fence you sit on). Additionally, it might even curb your appetite, (hello, unexpected bonus!).

How Much Does it Hurt?

The pain level is moderate, because it’s a smaller area, despite its thicker cartilage.

Is it for You?

The tragus is a solid option when you’re looking for a discreet yet striking piercing. Plus, its sleek, minimalist vibe pairs well with other piercings.

Helix Piercing Mood Boosters

Helix Piercing

The helix piercing deserves its moment in the spotlight when it comes to piercings for anxiety. In fact, this versatile piercing has become a firm favourite for its potential to help with mood stabilisation, stress relief, and even insomnia.

Let’s go through the two main types of helix piercings, their variations, and their alleged benefits.

Classic Helix Piercing

The most common helix ear piercing that relieves anxiety goes in the cartilage along the upper outer rim of the ear. It’s one of the most common cartilage piercings, with a clean, stylish look.

Beliefs About Benefits

Some holistic healthcare practitioners believe the outer rim of the ear aligns with certain acupressure points which can influence the nervous system. When a helix piercing stimulates these points, it can help stabilise your mood and promote a sense of calm, relieve stress, and even aid with allergy relief. This is because it apparently spurs the so-called ‘allergy point,’ and is said to alleviate symptoms like congestion and sore throats, (although evidence for this claim is purely anecdotal to date).

Pain and Healing

Helix piercings involve cartilage and are moderately painful. But they’re less intense than a tragus or anxiety daith piercing.

Forward Helix Piercing

A forward helix piercing that helps with anxiety is located at the front of the ear, where the upper cartilage meets the side of your head, near your temple. This placement gives it a unique look, perfect for making a statement that murmurs rather than screams.

Perceived Benefits

The forward helix is believed to have additional therapeutic benefits due to its proximity to a specific acupressure point. Its advocates claim it can relieve muscle tension, encourage relaxation, and even improve your skin tone and reduce wrinkles. This is why a helix ear piercing for anxiety might be your sweet spot if anti-ageing is also on your agenda!

Minimum Pain, Maximum Rewards

The forward helix is known as a less painful cartilage piercing that relieves anxiety. After all, its small size means less tissue trauma. This factor makes it a great option if you’re a first-timer or looking for a low-maintenance piercing that helps with anxiety.

Do Helix Piercings Help with Insomnia?

One fascinating claim about helix piercing for anxiety (especially when combined with a forward helix) is its potential to alleviate insomnia. This is due to stimulating certain pressure points along the upper ear that can:

  • Relax tense muscles, making it easier to fall asleep
  • Relieve stress and anxiety, two of the main culprits behind restless nights

Notably, scientific evidence is lacking. But some people have reported better sleep after getting a helix ear piercing for anxiety, particularly when they’ve been battling with stress-related sleeplessness.

For this reason, you might opt for two to three helix piercings on each ear, targeting multiple points for maximum impact.

How to Maximize Your Anxiety Piercing’s Potential

You’ll naturally want to get the most out of your new piercing for anxiety and avoid unnecessary stress. (It would be ridiculously counterproductive to add to your existing angst.)

So then, it makes sense to play it safe by sticking to some common sense rules (bearing in mind cartilage anxiety piercings are more delicate than lobe piercings, and proper care is essential for avoiding complications):

Choose a Licensed Piercer

Research their credentials, reviews, and hygiene practices.

Getting Pierced

Understand Aftercare - and Stick to it Like Glue!

Clean it daily with a saline solution like LobeLove™ Professional Saline Piercing Spray, the simple, safe way to care for your anxiety piercings. This professional-grade saline solution is free from preservatives and alcohol, ensuring gentle, effective cleansing. Its easy portability in a 30ml non-aerosol spray bottle makes it your go-to for flushing out impurities anytime, anywhere. In addition to hygiene, avoid touching your piercing unnecessarily.

LobeLobe Saline Piercing Spray

Avoid Sleeping on the Pierced Side

Pressure can cause irritation and prolong healing.

Sleeping

Set Realistic Expectations

It might not work as a standalone treatment. But it could complement your broader anxiety management plan.

Ear Piercings

Pair it with Holistic Methods

Mindfulness, therapy, and exercise can all help optimise your piercing’s potential benefits.

Exercise

Pro Tips for Multiple Piercings

You can thank us later!

  • Plan Your Ear Curation - Discuss your plan with your piercer to ensure all placements work harmoniously together.
  • Stagger Healing - Going for multiple piercing for anxiety? Start with one or two and let them heal before adding more.

Can Anxiety Piercings Replace Therapy?

To be clear, anxiety piercings are NOT a replacement for therapy, medication, or other proven treatments. But it’s not completely idiotic to approach ear piercing that helps with anxiety as a handy addition to your self-care toolkit. Just not a magic wand or a complete solution.

Is it Really Effective? Or Just a Placebo?

The placebo effect… that fascinating phenomenon where believing something works makes it work. In this case, scientific evidence around piercing for anxiety is limited. All the same, the placebo effect is a powerful thing.

This begs the question - If ear piercing for anxiety makes you feel calmer, does it really matter if it’s psychological or physiological?

You decide.

At the end of the day, a piercing that helps with anxiety offers a world of possibilities for holistic wellness coupled with self-expression. FFS, just think about the endless customisation options to potentially help with stress relief, tension, and even sleep.

And failing that, it’s a brilliant way to rock your look. Because piercings are personal. And the ritual of getting a piercing that relieves anxiety can be empowering. Isn’t it worthwhile if that empowerment helps ease your troubled mind, even a bit?

Final Thoughts on Getting as Anxiety Piercing?

Multiple Ear Piercings

An ear piercing for anxiety is more than a statement accessory. Moreover, it’s a fantastic option for blending holistic self-care and personal expression by tapping into a unique combo of:

  • Placebo effect
  • Nerve stimulation
  • Stylish new accessories

Ultimately, the decision is yours to determine whether piercing for anxiety becomes a helpful addition to your mental health toolkit or feels a bit too "out there" for your taste. Either way, isn’t it worth giving it a try, just in case it helps you feel even a little calmer?

Visit our website today to explore expert advice. At Stretch It Body Jewellery, you’ll find the best ranges of high quality yet affordable jewellery, and all the tools you need to get your anxiety piercing journey underway. Because who says mental health can’t look this good?

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