There is no doubt at all on the great benefits of hijama or cupping since it is something that enjoys strong supportive ahadith.  Prophet SAW has strongly recommended people to avail the benefits of hijama to stay healthy and protected from many diseases and disorders of the vital body organs.  No believer can even think to doubt the commands of the final messenger of Allah SWT.  At the same time, it is also true that in order to get the desired benefits from something, it is essential to follow the guidelines thoroughly and to observe all the preconditions.  Hijama also demands several precautions to offer us the best and also to save us from any complications.

We know very well what is said about hijama by the Prophet SAW – “Indeed the best of remedies you have is hijama” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari), but it doesn’t mean that we do not have to follow the hygienic rules of such a treatment.

[pullquote_right]“Indeed the best of remedies you have is hijama”[/pullquote_right]

In order to get the best from hijama and to avoid any complications, we should know many things about this wonderful way that not only cures many diseases but also helps as a preventive measure for many diseases.

 

Types of Hijama and Necessary Precautions

To understand the necessity of taking the precautions, we have to know the types of hijama and the right way to perform them.  It should be noted that among the three types, Dry Cupping, Massage Cupping, and Wet Cupping, the last one is the way preferred by the Prophet SAW, and we focus more our discussion on wet hijama.

 

Dry Cupping / Hijama: In this type of hijama, vacuum is created on different areas of the body to make the blood collected in the target area.  No incisions are made to take the blood out.

 

Dry Massage Cupping / Hijama: Its procedure is identical to dry cupping with the exception that olive oil is applied to the skin prior to placing the cup.  This ensures easy movement of the cup.

 

Both of the above hijama methods can be self-administered, any time of the day and on any day of the week or month.  It is believed that these cupping methods allow the blood to reach to the target areas so that the organs related to the target points function properly.  Since no incisions on the skin are made, there are no special precautions are to be followed to ensure the success of these methods.  One can do it with the basic knowledge of the technique.

 

Wet Cupping / Hijama: This procedure involves small incisions on the site where blood is made to gather by applying vacuum. The collected blood is removed from the body to free the body from the toxins in the blood.  The harmful blood, which lies just beneath the skin surface, can effectively be removed by wet hijama.  It should, however, be done only by people who are having good experience and know well the technique and necessary precautions of this kind of hijama.

 

Observe Strict Hygiene while Performing Wet Hijama

Wet cupping involves direct contact of the cups with the blood from the body.  The blood can have all sorts of contamination, especially in this period when deadly diseases are noted to transmit through the blood. Therefore, it is highly recommended to observe the maximum hygiene while performing hijama.  Such precautions are necessary for the sake of safety of both the patients and the hijama therapist.

All the items used in wet cupping, like cups, needle or blade, surgical gloves, etc, must be safely disposed of and must not be re-used.  Only those items, like glass cups that can be perfectly sterilized, can be re-used.

The person performing the hijama must also take every precaution to avoid coming into direct contact with the patient’s blood.  Moreover, all the material involved must be disposed of properly.  This material must be placed in clinical waste bags and sent for incineration.

To sum up the discussion, we can say that high levels of hygiene must be observed while performing wet hijama.  This ensures you get the desired benefits from hijama and at the same time prevent any health risks or health complications.

Maintaining hygiene and cleanliness is very much stressed in Islam.  Not only just in hijama, but if we follow and implement the noble teachings in all walks of the life, the rewards will be countless.