Health Benefits of Piercings

There are plenty of reasons for someone to get piercings. Some people gets pierced as a form of personal expression, religious tradition, and sometimes to conquer a fear.

There are a variety of styles opted for such as:

• Nose piercing
• Ear piercing
• Lip piercing
• Nipple piercing

In recent years, people have been using piercing as a form of healing. It’s a few thousands years old healing tradition which acts as an alternative and holistic approach to medicine, which we now call acupuncture.

Acupuncturists have studied the healing potential of piercings particularly their ability to relieve migraines and help stave off allergies.

In addition, according to the book Mysteries of The Ear published by Assouline, the ancient Egyptians, Romans and Persians practiced auricular acupuncture to aid digestion, eyesight and menstrual problems. Likewise, it mentions why pirates wore a ring in one earlobe, and that is because the piercing enhances their vision.

“There are more than 200 acupoints in the ear.” “These points are like entrances into the London Underground. The entrances are at street level and they go down into the system and allow you to get to where you need to go.”

Harley Street acupuncturist Jani White.

In this article, we will learn more about the various types of body piercing and its affiliated health benefits elaborately.

First, what is Auriculotherapy?

Acupuncture and auriculotherapy became known during the stone age and have developed into the specific fields of modern medicine with the help of Dr. Paul Nogier, a french neurologist and physician also known as the Father of Modern Auriculotherapy. He noticed that there was a connection between a part of the ear and another part on the body.

Furthermore, both acupuncture and auriculotherapy explains that a piercing can be placed in a specific spot to stimulate the reflex points in its surrounding area. Through this, the flow of energy within the body is improved which can help alleviate certain kind of pain and regulate functions of the body functions and internal organs.

Additionally, most of the pressure points known to relieve pain can be found in the ear. Acupuncturists often call the ear a “microsystem” because there is a point for every part of the body.

What are the health benefits of piercing?

1. Nose Piercing

According to ayurvedic therapy, nose piercing is considered to be an important ritual in Indian culture. The significance of wearing nose studs varies from one region to another and is widely done by both men and women in countries across the world.

• Reduces the pain experienced by women during monthly periods
• Plays a vital role in easing child birth

2. Ear Piercing

Among other types of body piercing, ear piercing is widely accepted at workplaces therefore, people desire to pierce their ear lobes and to wear different types of jewelries. Nowadays, the market is loaded with a wide variety of ear piercing jewelries made from different kinds of metals, designs and styles to choose from.

• Faster brain development
  According to acupressure therapy, the nerves connecting the brain are passing through the ear lobes. It is highly suggested for a child to get pierced in the ears as earlier as possible to avail better result.
  
• Helps in improving eyesight and hearing accuracy
  According to studies, if piercing of earlobe is done at the early age, the impairments related to throat, eyes, tongue and ears can be minimized to a greater extent.
  
• It can help in alleviating back pains.
  A theory which sounds hard to belief but they are proven and tested by scientific researches.

3. Lip Piercing

Lip or labret piercing has been a practice since the ancient times. People believe that piercing makes their ancestors’ spirits happy. Also, it is a status symbol and a ritual for them. In addition, lip piercing is a sign of femininity and beauty for others.

• Plays a vital role in stimulating sensual feeling (e.g oral sex)

4. Nipple Piercing

Nipple piercing has gained immense popularity in the past few years among men and women as well.

• Plays a vital role in maintaining youthful appearance such as the signs of aging especially blemishing skin.
• Increased sexual stimulation

What are the other benefits to our body functions?

1. Improves reproductive health

According to Ayurveda, the lobe of the ear has an important point right in the center. This point is one of the most important areas for reproductive health. Moreover, piercing of ear also helps maintain a healthy menstrual cycle in females.

2. ​Improves digestion

Stimulation as a result or piercing is said to maintain one’s digestive system which then reduces the chances of obesity.

3. Helps brain development

Ear piercing at an early age in kids is said to ensure proper, healthy and quick brain development. The ear lobes have the meridian point that connects the right hemisphere to the left hemisphere of the brain. Piercing of this point helps activate these parts of the brain.

4. Boosts energy

It is said that when people wear earrings, the flow of energy is nurtured in their bodies.

5. Helps improve eyesight

The center point of the ear is where the center for vision lies. Thus, applying pressure to these points helps improve the eyesight.

6. Aids in sperm production

In men, ear piercing is believed to help in sperm production and that is why ear piercing for boys is a compulsory tradition in various communities to help maintain their reproductive health.

​7. Improves auditory health

As per Ayurveda, the point where the ear is pierced is where two essential acupressure points are present – master sensorial and master cerebral. These two points are the key players in maintaining the hearing of your child. Acupressure experts say it’s a good spot to help relieve symptoms of tinnitus (ringing or buzzing of ears).

8. Prevents OCD, nervousness and anxiety

Along with the healthy development of the brain, ear piercing keeps conditions like hysteria at bay. According to the acupressure theory, this area also seats in the master cerebral, which governs the working of the brain, in which, it helps prevent mental illnesses like obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety and nervousness.

What is the right age and time to get ear piercings done?

According to Ayurveda theories, ear piercing should be done in the 10th, 12th or 16th day or in the 6th, 7th or 8th month. Otherwise, you can get it done in any odd years from the year of childbirth.

Below is a list of popular ear piercings and their health benefits:

1. Conch

Muscle Relaxation and help with Chronic Pain

2. Lobe

(Third hole placement)- Depression
(First hole placement)- Eye Sight

3. Stretched lobes

Symbol of expanded vision on a spiritual level. (e.g Buddha)

4. Rook

Releases Stress

5. Tragus

Appetite control

6. Cartilage Rim/Helix

10 o’clock position – Insomnia
12 o’clock position – Allergy Relief

Are there side effects to consider?

There’s a lot of risks to consider before getting a piercing. It can also be very painful for some.

• A small visible mark will be left behind if you ever decide to let a piercing close.
• Cartilage piercings are also more likely to get infected than lobe piercings. because of its closer proximity to your hair and are more likely to get tugged.
• In some cases, bacterial infections from piercings can lead to sepsis or toxic shock syndrome.
• There’s also the risk that your piercing won’t work for anxiety. There’s no way to know for sure unless you try it yourself.

It can take four months to a year for a piercing to be considered healed. You shouldn’t get pierced or if you are taking blood thinners or have:

• hemophilia
• diabetes
• an autoimmune condition
• any other health condition that affects your body’s rate of healing

Conclusion

Ancient people did not practice body piercings only to show off their social status. Rather, it was done with the intention of obtaining certain health benefits.

Most importantly, one should get body piercing only from a recognized and experienced piercing professional. Approaching an amateur to get body piercing is similar to putting yourself at risk.

Resources:
1.  "Body Piercings – Effects of Piercing the Nose, Ear and Other Parts | SSRF English." SSRF English. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 July 2016.
2. "Ear Piercings as Acupuncture Finding Relief Through Auriculotherapy."Almost Famous Piercings. N.p., n.d. Web. 
3. "Body Piercing as Therapy." - Broomfield Enterprise. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 July 2016. 

Author’s Notes

Personally, I have 3 piercings on each of my right and left ear lobes (upper, middle, lower lobe) which I adore very much. It gives me a lot of options on which jewelries to wear depends on the occasion and my mood.

Also, I have one piercing on my left helix. I’ve chosen this side ’cause it will appear better with the good side of my face, as we all know, our faces are asymmetrical, and my left is the better one. 🙂

Total of 7 pretty little earrings which I dearly love so much considering I take care of it every day making sure its clean and with no signs of impending infection, and, I prefer wearing studs too.

How about yours? Tell us more about your piercings and how much you loved it too!

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