What Is Hijamah ? A Beginner’s Guide for New Clients

If you’ve been curious about hijāmah (cupping therapy) but aren’t sure where to start, this guide is for you. Hijāmah is a time-honored natural therapy practiced for centuries and recommended in the Sunnah. It can improve overall health, boost energy, and help with specific concerns such as muscle pain, stress, and blood circulation.

1. What is Hijāmah?

Hijamah (cupping) therapy is a powerful way of helping the body heal itself; it works by removing stale, stagnant blood and other pathogens through the skin. It is an organic, natural and an alternative to conventional medicine. Hijamah can even work hand in hand with conventional (allopathic) medicine. It works by creating a negative pressure in the area applied, thus helping to relieve pain and reduce congestion. 

Types of Cupping

• Dry cupping: Cups are applied without making an incision.

  
  

• Wet cupping: Cups are applied after making a small, controlled incision to remove a small amount of blood.

  
  

• Moving cupping: Moving cupping is when a practitioner applies oil to the skin, creates light to medium suction with a cup, and then slides the cup along the muscles instead of leaving it in one spot.

2. Benefits of Hijāmah

Hijāmah is known for numerous benefits:

• Enhances blood circulation and detoxification

• Reduces muscle pain and tension

• Supports hormonal balance and energy levels

• Improves immunity and helps manage chronic conditions

• Encourages relaxation and reduces stress

3. Hijāmah in the Sunnah

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ recommended hijāmah as a form of preventative care. A hadith says: “The best treatment you can use is cupping.” This makes hijāmah not just a health practice but also a sunnah act of self-care.

4. Preparing for Your Session

To get the most benefit from hijāmah:

• Complete household chores or other work before the session in case of fatigue.

• Having a shower/bath an hour or more before the session.

• If the cupping is to be performed on the head, the patient should avoid washing hair for 2-3 days before the session. This allows the hair to become greasy therefore more controlled.

• Fast from the night before the session if the patient has the ability. If not at least 2-3 hours

before the session.

• Wear appropriate clothing (for example, loose bottoms if cupping is to be done on the leg, so it can be pulled up, and a vest top to ease the cupping on the sunnah points).

• Bring chaperone with them (advised)

• Cover cuts or wounds before coming for treatment.

5. What to Expect During a Session

A professional hijāmah practitionerwill:

• Clean the area and prepare the cups

• Apply suction using either dry or wet cupping

• Remove the cups after a few minutes

• Provide aftercare guidance

Some redness is normal and usually disappears within a few days.

6. Aftercare Tips

• Drink honey mixed in water after the session or dates and water

• Avoid dairy and red meat products for 2 days. These foods require more energy and blood flow during digestion, therefore reducing the blood flow to the cupped areas and slowing the

healing process.

• Avoid having a shower/bath for 24 hours

• Apply black seed oil on cupped areas to help itchiness, aid healing, reduce scarring and reduce the risk of infection. This should be repeated until the cupped areas are healed.

• Avoid strenuous activities for 24 hours

• Avoid sexual relations for 24 hours.

• The scratches can cause a mild stinging sensation as they heal, especially on fatty areas, but this is completely normal. Application of black seed oil will help this.

Possible side affects during or after a Hijamah session:

• Discoloration: This can occur on the skin after Hijamah therapy, which can last around 10

days depending on its severity. This is quite a normal and harmless side effect.

• Dizziness: This can occur if the patient has low blood sugar (give patient water mixed with

honey) / nervousness / Jinn related conditions.

• Nausea: This is a common side effect during Hijamah, but does not last long. Ensure a sick bag is available in case a patient needs to vomit.

• Tiredness: This usually occurs after the session and may last for 1-2 days. It is a very

common side affect due to the body working hard and focusing its energy on the areas where Hijamah was performed.

• Energy: Some patients get a burst of energy almost immediately after the session. If this occurs, patients should still rest and not over exert themselves as the body needs time to

recuperate after the Hijamah process.

Note: Every patient is different and therefore not all will suffer from after affects of Hijamah

Hijāmah is a safe and beneficial practice when performed by a trained professional. Whether you seek relief from physical discomfort, or want to boost your energy, hijāmah can be a wonderful addition to your wellness routine.