Hijama is the Arabic name for cupping, a traditional practice in which cups are placed on the skin to create suction. It is part of Islamic medical history and is mentioned in the hadith literature, and cupping of various kinds also appears in the histories of ancient Egypt, Greece and China.
Two main methods
Dry cupping uses suction only. The cups are placed on the skin, left for a few minutes and removed.
Wet cupping, the form most people mean by Hijama, adds a step: after the first suction, a trained practitioner makes tiny, superficial cuts and applies the cups again. Because the skin is broken, hygiene is central to safe practice.
Where it comes from
The oldest written references to cupping are often traced to ancient Egyptian medical texts from around 1550 BC. Greek physicians wrote about it, and it was developed further in the medical traditions of the Muslim world. Within Islam, Hijama is regarded as a Sunnah practice, which is why many Muslims study it as part of Prophetic medicine.
What a session usually involves
Practices differ between practitioners, but a responsible session normally includes a conversation about your health and medication, an explanation of what will happen, clean equipment and surfaces, and clear aftercare advice. Marks on the skin are common afterwards. See how long cupping marks last.
What the evidence says
Scientific research on cupping is limited and of mixed quality. We do not claim that Hijama treats or cures any condition, and we encourage you to be cautious of anyone who does. Many people value it as a traditional practice and for the sense of relaxation it gives them.
Safety first
- Choose a trained, insured practitioner who uses clean, single-use equipment for wet cupping.
- Tell your practitioner about your health, medication and any allergies.
- Speak to a doctor first if you are pregnant, have a bleeding disorder, take blood-thinning medication, or have a skin condition.
- Do not stop or delay medical care because of cupping.
If you are interested in learning the practice properly, see our Level 5 Diploma.