Meghan Markle swears by 'Cupping' therapy to fix migraine; what is this treatment?

Is there a cure for migraine? Well, the time between two episodes of a migraine attack can pass off as a relief at the best. Migraine treatment is aimed at stopping symptoms and preventing future attacks.

A migraine is a headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. Those who suffer this type of sudden onset headaches also complain of accompanying nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Many find themselves locked in the grips of a migraine attack for hours to days, and the pain can be so severe that it interferes with one's daily activities. Many even mention a warning symptom known as an aura that occurs before or with the headache - a visual disturbance, such as flashes of light or blind spots.

Medications can help prevent some migraines and make them less painful. The right medicines, combined with self-help remedies and lifestyle changes, might help. If you visit a headache specialist doctor or a neurologist - he or she will likely diagnose migraines based on your medical history, symptoms, and a physical and neurological examination. Your treatment choices depend on the frequency and severity of your headaches, your other accompanying symptoms, etc. Broadly, your drug treatment will include:

But debilitating as the migraine attack can be, many people seek their own individual preferences and paths of unconventional treatments.

In a past interview, Meghan Markle shared how migraines she was suffering from became so bad she was hospitalised. Express UK cites how in a bid to help with her symptoms, she tried out a number of different therapies, which she claims have worked.

"I used to have debilitating migraines (hospitalised for them),” she said in an interview with Chalkboard.

Meghan shared that acupuncture and “cupping” were her treatments of choice, which she said drastically improved the quality of her life.

Cupping is an ancient Chinese-origin therapy in which heated glass cups are applied to the skin along the meridians of the body, creating suction. It is believed that these suction cups when placed on strategic acupressure points help stimulate the flow of energy.

Cleveland Clinic report says that people have used cupping for thousands of years to ease back pain, neck pain, headaches and other problems. Cupping therapy involves creating a suction force to pull blood into the skin. Cupping causes bruising and can lead to a skin infection. While research on the benefits of cupping is scarce, the treatment risks are low.

Not much research is yet available on cupping therapy and how it works - if it does. It is assumed that suction from cupping draws fluid into the treated area. This suction force expands and breaks open tiny blood vessels (capillaries) under the skin. Your body treats the cupping area like an injury. It sends more blood to the area to stimulate the natural healing process. Practitioners claim that cupping clears the pores and releases toxins.

A variety of professionals can receive training to perform cupping, including:

Acupuncturists.

Chiropractors.

Massage therapists.

Medical doctors.

Physical therapists.