Hijama – Cupping Therapy – Benefits

The benefits of Hijama or Cupping therapy are numerous, but on a systematic level wet cupping enhances specific functions of the body and is more effective against some diseases than others. It counters pain and gives relief to inflamed and swollen areas of the body externally as well as internally. The immunity is enhanced with better flow of lymph and more production from the nodes.

Hijama, more popularly known as cupping, is a natural treatment that has a very long history. Practice hijama this natural treatment can be traced back to ancient Egypt, Chinese and Middle East. However, the establishment of hijama was done by Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.W. The practice is encouraged, with not only earthly reward (having a good health) but also heavenly one (given reward by ALLAH for following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.W).

History of cupping in Islam. The term hijama comes from hajm, which literally means sucking. The practice of hijama involves the application of cups to several points on the skin and the creation of a vacuum by removing the air from the inside of the cups.

During the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.W lifetime, he often practiced hijama and said that it is the best of remedies (the benefits of hijama are already proven, which we will discuss shortly). He also advised his followers to practice hijama as well. Back then, hijama was done by using a horn as the cup. Today, the cups are made from other materials such as silicone or glass although the core principle remains the same.

There are two types of hijama, dry and wet. The dry hijama involves only the creation of vacuum and suction of the skin surface. The wet hijama, on the other hand, involves incisions.

• Dry Hijama
  Dry hijama is practiced on the body or, if there is any, the painful areas. The purpose of dry hijama is to increase blood flow as well as gather the blood in the affected areas. Sometimes, dry hijama is also done in combination with massage. In this treatment, the cups are applied after the skin is oiled using olive oil.
• Wet Hijama
  The process of wet hijama is more or less the same with dry hijama. The only difference is that wet hijama involves incisions. These incisions are done using a small, sharp blade razor or needle.

From the incisions, harmful blood that contains impurities like toxin will flow. Since wet hijama is must be done carefully, make sure that it is done by a professional therapist to avoid infection.

It is recommended that Hijama Cupping Therapy done on the odd days of the Lunar Calendar. Further to this, the specifically prescribed days are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. The Sunnah days to perform Hijama Therapy are the 17th, 19th and 21st days of the Lunar Calendar providing these days coincide with Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised against practicing Hijama on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and very strongly advised against practicing Hijama on Wednesdays.

Cupping therapy has been practiced for centuries globally. The first documented medical text was found in 1550 BC in Egypt. Cupping was also discovered in China over 5,000 years ago and is still practiced to this day. It was commonly practiced in the Roman Empire, Islamic Empire, Europe, Russia, Central Asia, South Asia, and the United States. It was very popular during the Middle Ages and 18th and 19th Centuries in Europe. Right now it is most popular in China, Finland, Russia and many Muslim-majority countries.

• Pain: It is of course slightly uncomfortable, but it doesn’t hurt like a deep cut does. Hijama or Cupping is may feel just like of injection. Numerous patients describe the feeling of Hijama or Cupping Therapy is like a light scratching or like the feel of injection.
• Marks on Skin: It shouldn’t leave any kind of marks if someone professional is doing hijama, after a few weeks/days, you won’t be able to tell where you got Hijama or Cupping Therapy.
• Boosts: Boosts the circulatory and immune systems
• Detoxifies: Cleanses and detoxifies the body
• Relaxing: Treats illness and relaxes the patient
• Fertility
• Detox: In an age where each individual can be seen detoxifying there body to remove the junk from it, Hijama surprisingly does the same thing. In many circumstances such as poor circulation of the blood in our veins, can result in many bacteria and toxins buildup and this can result in severe effects on the body. Hijama can help remove all the impure blood from the body, so that the body is free from toxins and bacteria and is safe from infections. That is why when a person receives cupping therapy they are often asked to drink lots of water to flush away any excess impurities still left in the body.
• Hijama is also useful for treating many muscular, skeletal, neurological, immune, cardio-vascular, respiratory, digestive and urinary issues.