Introduction

Hijama is this everlasting miracle that never ceases to amaze the human mind throughout history. It is the gift of the One almighty God to guide man kind to this unique therapy that carries endless benefits. Hijama reconciles you with your body’s systems and reconciles your body’s system with each other. It has been denied its due rights due to profit oriented medical corporations on one end, and ignorant, uneducated practices that tarnished it prestigious image on the other end. It almost disappeared in history but the pressing needs of people who struggle with the side effects of medications, risk of surgery and high medical care cost and the overall complications of the health system made people consider alternatives that their great grand fathers used.

History of Hijama therapy

Cupping Therapy is a therapeutic, naturopathic, holistic therapy that originated from ancient Egypt. The first documented medical text, Eber’s papyrus, was found in 1550 BC. Hijama then spread all over the Middle East, then to Asia and Europe. Immigrant carried Hijama tools along with them to the USA. American doctors carried cupping sets into the early 20th century. The breast pump developed from this era. Despite Vacuum therapy being around for thousands of years, It is trending now again thanks to many winning Olympians like Michael Phelps.

Distinctively Muslims over the centuries have preserved and developed the science of Hijama after it has almost vanished worldwide. The reason they are keen on preserving Hijama is that the Final Messenger/ Prophet of God, Muhammed, received Hijama therapy himself. He was commanded by the Angels to get Hijama

Hijama Equipment manufactured in the USA by George Tiemann & Co. in their 1870-80’s Instruments Catalog.

therapy and to command Muslims to seek Hijama therapy. Prophet Muhammad stated “Hijama is the best of your therapies”. Therefore, in the Muslim faith, Hijama is a divine recommendation. Hijama Cupping is a holistic form of preventative and curative therapy that has no adverse effect on the body when performed professionally. Hijama stood out as a therapeutic modality that provides healing

without medicine. Among historic celebrities who received Hijama therapy on a consistent basis are Sultan Saladin (Salah al-Din al-Ayyubee), Sultan Abdul Hamid II of Turkey and Napoleon Bonaparte of France.

Meaning of “Hijama”

“Hijama” literally means “Suction” in the Arabic language. Hijama is pronounced /ˈhēʒæmə/. Hijama is referred to by some as “Wet Cupping”. The term “Cupping” comes from the word “Cup”, which comes from Latin Cuppa, Cuppa is derived from the Arabic word “كوب” [kūb] which means “Cup”. The reason why the phrase “Wet Cupping” is used instead of “Blood Cupping” for example, is because it is not only blood that comes out; sometimes it is pus, lymph fluid, interstitial fluid etc. and also because the amount of blood withdrawn is so minimal.

What is Hijama therapy?

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Hijama, aka, Wet Cupping is a safe, non-invasive therapeutic trauma that involves creating a controlled subcutaneous inflammation via means of Myofascial Decompression and Scarification. In this process, Hijama cups are place on the targeted anatomical site. Blood and lymph, among other fluids, are drawn via means of vacuum and then bled through superficial skin scratches. Hijama targets the outmost layer of the skin “Epidermis” layer.

Hijama clears lymphatic fluids, aged / deformed red blood cells, Histamine, Uric Acid, Prostaglandins, Bradykinin, Cancerous cells, Heavy Metals, Lactic Acid, interstitial fluids from the micro circulation. The body then automatically activates its natural defense mechanism (Hemostasis), which stops the bleeding.

Hijama is performed using single-use, disposable cups and a single-use sterile surgical blade. Negative pressure applied by Hijama, ruptures weak capillaries that have lost elasticity and deteriorated, in cases beyond repair. The incisions are made on intact skin, in an aseptic condition. They look more like a scratch or a paper cut.

Capillary cells regenerate from pre-existing blood vessels; this process is called angiogenesis. Angiogenesis occurs to heal the body, and restore blood flow to affected tissues. The Endothelial cells mend themselves and create a new capillaries. The activated endothelial cells produce enzymes and growth factors that triggers the healthy multiplication of more endothelial cells and release them into the surrounding tissue. This process forms new capillaries and an increase in the vascular network.

The negative pressure under the cup has up to a 4-inch effect on deep tissues, which stimulates t3he body to remove unhealthy toxins as they trickle out in the cup and cleanse the targeted points. Most Hijama treatment plan will typically include the upper back, around (T3 & T4), Rhomboids and Trapezius muscles. Due to the anatomical nature of these areas, they tend trap more toxins and debris.

Before the beginning of the Hijama session, Hijama practitioners check vitals and then sanitize the skin. The sessions starts by applying single use cups according to predetermined Hijama plan specific to the age, gender and health condition of the person receiving Hijama.

The strength of suction is applied at the following levels 1- Stimulation Strength, 2- Tonifying Strength, 3- Drainage (Detox) Strength. 4- Pulsatile rhythm. Certain points will need to be charged, others will need to be discharged, depending on whether this point has developed hot or cold ecchymosis. The term 5S Hijama comprises of 5 steps: 1- Sterilization, 2- Suction, 3- Scarification 4- Suction 5- Seal.

The amount of blood the comes out of Hijama varies from one session, one point, one client to the other. Many factors play a role like disease state, surrounding temperature, mood, diet, supplements, life style and blood pressure. The benefits of Hijama are never measured by the amount of blood flow. 

The number of Hijama cups is dependent on many factors like: The reason why Hijama is requested, disease state, age, blood values like hemoglobin levels, time since last session, weight and height.

 

“Early civilizations may have been inspired by seeing bats remove blood from animals, hippos scratching on trees until they bled, and other animals scratching at diseased body parts for relief.”

Dr. Douglas Arbittier, M.D.

Why isn’t Hijama popular despite being safe, affordable and effective?

Unfortunately, in the USA, little or no attention is given to Hijama to the point that it is not even recognized officially. Scientific research and development does not invest in Hijama because it is not financially rewarding. Spending Millions or Billions of Dollars on Hijama experiments, trials and research will never lead to a patent, or in other words, profit, since Hijama costs less than $150 on average. Majority of physicians have absolutely no idea what Hijama is as they have never studied it in Medical Schools. When Hijama is discussed, everyone is quick to jump into the benefits of Hijama but not the Mechanism of Action, which renders the argument lacking of scientific evidence. Health care providers are quick to dismiss the benefits of Hijama as they ignorantly compare it blood donation or blood letting.

“These statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product / service is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”