Cupping Therapy / Hijama

Dry Cupping Therapy

Dry cupping is a method by which suction is created on particular points on the patient’s body. Through suction, a vacuum is created in cups placed on the skin using a suction pump to draw up the underlying tissues. When the cup is left in place on the skin for a few minutes, blood accumulates and localised healing takes place. We use this for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and wellbeing. Dry cupping helps aid soft tissue injuries and reduce pain or discomfort by:

• Increasing localised circulation
• Increasing oxygenation and nutrient content within the tissues
• Re-initiating the healing process to micro-trauma
• Stretches fascia and connective tissue, which leads to a relaxation response

Cupping therapy may leave a circular mark on the body which lasts for about 4-10 days depending on the condition. The mark is very useful as a diagnostic tool – the darker the mark, the more stagnation there is in the muscles. Cupping massage can also act as a ‘hoover’ allowing the tissues to be lifted upwards and changing the pressure on underlying tissues, such as skin, fat, nerves, and fascia to help restore movement.

Wet Cupping Therapy / Hijama

Wet cupping (Hijama) is effective in treating general wellbeing and injuries. Wet cupping is the process of using a vacuum at different key points on the body but with small incisions in order to remove ‘bad’ blood which lies just beneath the surface of the skin. Sterile disposable equipment is used at all times with appropriate medical wound management and clinical waste disposal procedures adhered to.

• Some of the benefits of Hijama include:
• It detoxifies the blood and improves circulation
• It can help boost the immune system and resistance against disease enhances
• It removes acidic toxins
• It stimulates the lymphatic system

The procedure is relatively straightforward and safe. A mild suction is created on the selected treatment area, the cup is removed and small superficial skin incisions are made using a small blade. A second suction is used to carefully draw out a small quantity of blood, which contains dead blood cells, toxins and impurities. The superficial skin incisions usually take 7-10 days to fully heal.

Wet cupping (hijama) is from the Sunnah and it is recommended that Hijama be practised on particular days of the Islamic calendar. The optimum Sunnah days to perform Hijama therapy are the 17th, 19th and 21st day of each Islamic month.