What is wet cupping or Hijama therapy?
The Wet Cupping Therapy is an old kind of therapy that has been utilised for the treatment and cure of a wide variety of ailments throughout the course of its history.
The purpose of wet cupping is to remove blood from the body that is thought to be unhealthy in an effort to improve the patient’s overall health. The use of cupping as a therapy is one that has gained popularity recently due to claims that it may be both curative and preventive.
What is dry cupping or massage cupping therapy?
Dry Cupping Therapy, also known as Massage Cupping or Moving Cupping, is performed largely by adding oils or lubricant to the skin as the treatment progresses. Other names for this technique are Moving Cupping and Dry Cupping. After that, a cup is placed on the patient’s skin and slowly moved in a circular manner in order to stimulate blood flow and promote relaxation of the muscles. This technique does not result in any loss of blood or fluids from the body.
History of cupping therapy (hijama)?
The practise of cupping treatment dates back many centuries and is practised by numerous civilizations all over the globe. There is some evidence to show that it was utilised by the ancient Egyptians, Greek civilisations, and Chinese.
The use of cupping as a kind of alternative medicine was quite common in England throughout the 19th century. The well-known medical newspaper known as “The Lancet” was given its name after this method of cupping since “the lancet” is the name of the surgical tool that is used to create an incision on the patient’s skin before to the procedure.
How does the process of cupping work?
It is not yet understood how exactly cupping treatment works to treat its patients. Several hypotheses, including blood detoxification, the redistribution of positive energy (qi), the stimulation of the immune system, massage therapy, and the pain-gate theory, in addition to the less well-postulated psycho-somatic and counter-irritant hypotheses, have been cited as offering explanations for the efficacy of cupping therapy.
What are the benefits of hijama therapy, also known as cupping?
The degree to which cupping therapy is effective in treating a problem is directly proportional to the severity of the patient’s symptoms. For most diseases, you should begin to notice an improvement in symptoms such as discomfort after undergoing cupping therapy for just two to three sessions. On the other hand, if you have a more severe ailment or set of symptoms, the practitioner should use an objective metric to evaluate how well the cupping treatment is working. The following is a list of several examples:
- Pain – The medical professional could ask you some basic questions or have you fill out a simple questionnaire.
- Blood Pressure – The doctor or other healthcare provider may take your blood pressure readings both before and after a treatment regimen.
- Asthma – the medical professional may inquire about how often you make use of your inhaler or request that you complete a questionnaire.
- Depression – We will ask you to fill out a questionnaire and answer a few questions about yourself.
It should be emphasised that the benefits of cupping treatment are not guaranteed to be experienced in every circumstance. Just-Health does not mean to claim or say that cupping will cure any health issues, nor do we want to imply that it will.
What does the doctor at Just-Health think about cupping?
“Many of my patients have benefited from Cupping Therapy. I’ve used it to treat a variety of Musculoskeletal problems, ranging from tendinitis to repetitive strain injuries to hamstring strains. I’m pleasantly surprised by how many of my patients, especially athletes, want follow-up sessions. and return for more sessions.”
“I have seen that it has benefited a number of individual patients, to mention a few conditions, including acne, back pain, detox, decreasing cholesterol levels, lowering blood pressure, losing weight, and also improving their mood.”
“Since the Olympics, my therapy practise has expanded significantly, and I continue to see a lot of patients who are doing well. This is the “new” therapy for athletes and those who compete on the weekend.”
“If you are looking for a more aggressive or severe kind of cupping that makes use of movement, you will need to choose a practitioner that has a good solid understanding of physiotherapy and medicine.”
“There are several advantages to cupping. My primary area of interest is in athletes, namely mixed martial arts fighters, and how they may improve their performance or get back into the game. With cupping, my primary goal is to hasten the body’s restoration to normal mobility while also shortening the time it takes to recover from injuries. Some patients choose the practise of cupping for relaxing purposes, while others do it for religious reasons.” Dr S Ansar
Terms and Conditions
Cupping is only performed by Just-Health Cupping following a comprehensive pre-treatment consultation with an experienced professional, who is typically a certified NHS Doctor/pharmacist or a Hijama practitioner. This consultation takes place before each and every Cupping session.
In any case, a licenced medical practitioner will provide their stamp of approval before any first appointment takes place. This is done to guarantee that your wellbeing will be our top concern.
Everyone who receives treatment receives written instructions for aftercare.
Every patient is required to fill out a consultation form and demonstrates that they have read and comprehended the pre-treatment and after-care information brochure. Cupping won’t take place until all of the patient’s worries have been addressed, and if it’s essential, the patient’s medical practitioner has given permission for the treatment to be performed safely.
– It is imperative that you do not depend on hijama or cupping as a substitute for the medical advice provided by your primary care physician or any other professional or medically qualified healthcare practitioner.
– You should talk to your own doctor or another competent healthcare practitioner if you have any particular inquiries about any medical problems or if you suspect that you may be suffering from any medical ailment.
– Because of your Cupping or Hijama therapy, you should under no circumstances put off obtaining medical counsel, dismiss the advice of medical professionals, or stop receiving medical treatment.
– Every patient is responsible for consulting with their own registered medical healthcare practitioner about whether or not they are a good candidate for the Hijama treatment. If you have not done so and you still want to continue with the Hijama treatment, you are responsible for all potential medical hazards that may arise as a result of your decision.
– If a woman is pregnant, she should not take part in the hijama treatment process.
– Children who are under the age of 18 are not permitted to undergo hijama without first consulting with their primary care physician.
FAQs
It is recommended not to eat for two hours before the treatment session. This is to avoid diverting excessive blood to aid digestion and to gain the maximal benefit from cupping.
We also recommend:
To bring a copy of your Medication List / repeat Prescription
Wear loose comfortable clothing
Take a shower before treatment
Do have breakfast on the morning of your first session
Hydration is important drink plenty – water is the best drink for hydration.
If it is your first session, we will do the following:
History and Examination
Our Practitioner will take a full history about your symptoms and your medical conditions. If you take medications please bring a list with you. Basic observations may also be taken i.e. your heart rate, blood pressure ,urinalysis , blood sugar reading and perform a physical examination
Individual Cupping Treatment Plan
The Doctor will then decide if you are suitable to have cupping i.e. dry, wet massage cupping
Consent
You should then have the procedure explained to you and have any questions answered
Treatment
the Practitioner will apply cupping
Post-Care
You will receive some written guidance as to what will happen next.
We normally advise a frequency of every 6-8 weeks. The number of sessions advised depends on the illness being treated and how you feel. This will be discussed with your cupping practitioner.
Your first consultation and treatment session will cost £49. This is not dependent upon the number of cups used. This appointment can last up to 45 minutes.
Following sessions are charged at £40. These appointments tend to be up to 30 minutes duration.
We normally advise that straight after a cupping session you rest for a few minutes and have a drink of water or try the Just-Health special Tea. You can usually resume your normal activities afterwards. In terms of diet it is better to avoid a very heavy diet such as lots of carbohydrates such as wheat, potatoes, bread and pasta. Our normal advice is to have fresh fruit, salads, pulses and grilled fish or chicken for at least 24-48 hours after the session. You should also ensure that you are drinking plenty of water.
Generally Dry and Wet cupping have very few side effects. During your consultation a Just-Health practitioner will explain the possible side effects and risks involved in further detail.
There is a small risk of infection of the skin after the procedure. However this risk is minimal provided that the correct procedures are used to clean the skin beforehand, as well as taking care of infection control procedures during and after the procedure. Some other risks include:
Scarring of Skin – this is rare as we only do a small incision
Haematoma – bruising, this can be excessive if excessive suction has been applied
Feeling light headed, sweating, nauseous, mild pain.
Just Health only uses sterile single use (as in disposable) cups, and vacuum pumps for cupping and that a clean surgical area is set up for each patient prior to cupping. All our clinical waste is disposed of in accordance with proper clinical waste disposal policy.
Is Cupping Painful?
During cupping therapy you may experience some discomfort or pressure when the cups are applied to the skin. However the suction should not be so excessive that it causes pain. There may also be some mild discomfort when the cupping practitioner makes small incisions in the skin for wet cupping.
The first documented use in Islam are found in the teachings of the Islamic prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
It is accepted by most Muslims that Wet Cupping (Hijama) is one of the remedies from the sunnah of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Not only did he have hijama performed on himself, but he also recommended it as a beneficial treatment for various ailments. A number of hadith support its recommendation and use. As a result, the practice of cupping therapy has survived in Muslim countries. Today, wet cupping is a popular remedy practiced in many parts of the Muslim world
Here are a number of hadiths that support the remedy as sunnah.
“Sunnah” means Practices of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace be Upon Him) and his recommendations/guidance
Prophet (PBUH) said “For every disease there is a remedy and when the remedy is applied to the disease, It is healed by Allah’s Leave,” (Jabir)
Prophet (PBUH) said:Healing is in three things: in the incision of the cupper, in drinking honey, and in cauterizing with fire, but I forbid my Ummah (nation) from cauterization (branding with fire).” (Abdullah ibn Abbas)
Prophet (PBUH) said: “If there is a remedy that will reach the disease, then cupping will reach it.” (Malik)
‘During the night of Isra, every company (of angels) that I passed by would say, ‘O Mohammed! Order your nation to use cupping.’ (Ibn Majah)
Prophet (PBUH) said: ‘Cupping is among your best remedies.’ (Sahihayn)
Hijama As a preventative therapy
Prophet (PBUH) said: “When the weather becomes extremely hot, seek aid in cupping/HIjama. Do not allow your blood to rage (boil) such that it kills you.” (Anas ibn Maalik)
Note that even though the various forms and methods of Cupping are beneficial, only wet cupping (hijama) is a remedy from the sunnah.
What are the Sunnah points and Sunnah Days?
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to be cupped on the JV and the upper part of the back on the seventeenth, nineteenth or twenty-first day of the month.’ (Al-Tirmidhi)
The Prophet (PBUH) said: ‘Those who have cupping on the seventeenth, nineteenth or twenty-first day of the month will be cured from every disease.’ (Abu Dawood)
It is generally recognised that the 17th, 19th or 21st day of the Islamic calendar are Sunnah days. The upper parts of the back are recognised as sunnah points
Is cupping allowed during fasting?
There are several hadiths stating that cupping breaks the fast, hence one should not perform cupping while fasting. Just-Health for obvious medical reasons state no one should have wet cupping therapy if fasting due to health and safety risks.
Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Those undergoing cupping and those who do it have both broken the fast.’