Dept. of IBT.

Govt. Nizamia Tibbi Colege

Charminar, Hyderabad.

CUPPING THERAPY
HIJAMA (‫)حجامہ‬
CONTENT
 OVERVIEW.
 TYPES OF CUPPING.
 PROCEDURE.
 INDICATIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS.
 RISK FACTORS.
 ISLAMIC TEACHINGS ON HIAJMAH.
 WHY CHOOSE CUPPING THERAPY.
 ORIGIN OF CUPPING THERAPY.
Cupping Therapy: An Overview

Definition
Cupping therapy, also known as hijamah in Urdu,
is an ancient form of alternative medicine.
It involves creating localized suction on the skin
using various tools, such as cups.
This mobilizes blood flow, promoting healing.
Cupping can be performed using heat (fire) or
mechanical devices (hand or electrical pumps) .
 Aim
The primary aim of cupping therapy is to enhance overall well-being and address specific health
conditions. It is used for both healthy individuals (for anti-aging and rejuvenation purposes) and those
suffering from ailments .The therapeutic goals include:

Pain relief
improved blood circulation
Types of Cupping Therapy

Dry
cupping

Wet
cupping
Dry Cupping
(Suction Only)
 Procedure :
In dry cupping, the therapist places cups on specific points of
the body without any additional intervention.
Suction is created using mechanical devices (hand or electrical
pumps).
Advantages Indications
 Reduces pain and  Headaches
inflammation.  lower back pain
 Decreases muscle  neck pain
tightness.
 knee pain
 Improves blood flow.
Contraindications
 Increases range of motion.
 bleeding disorders
 skin conditions
 pregnancy.
Wet Cupping
(Combination of Suction and Controlled Bleeding)
 Procedure
Wet cupping combines suction with controlled bleeding.
After creating suction, the therapist makes small
incisions to release a small amount of blood.

Advantages Indications
 Detoxification and  chronic pain
cleansing.  inflammation
 Pain relief.  detoxification.
 Promotes circulation
Contraindications
 Bleeding disorders.
 Broken or irritated skin.
 Pregnancy.
Fire Cupping
(Suction with Heat)
 Procedure
Fire cupping involves heating the cups before applying
them to the skin. The heated air creates suction.
Advantages Indications
 Reduces pain and  pain relief
inflammation.
 Decreases muscle
 muscle tension
tightness.  overall well-being
 Improves blood flow. Contraindications
 Increases range of motion.  bleeding disorders
 Provides warmth and
 skin conditions
relaxation
 pregnancy.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages Disadvantages
Natural Healing Bruising
Non-invasive and encourages  Temporary bruising at
the body’s self-healing cupping sites.
mechanisms. Burns (Fire Cupping)
Holistic Approach  Risk of burns if not done
Considers physical, mental, correctly.
and spiritual aspects. Infection
Pain Management  Proper hygiene is crucial.
Alleviates pain and tension. Not Well-Studied
Traditional Wisdom  Limited high-quality
Rooted in ancient practices. research to support claims.
Islamic Teachings on Hijama
Hijama, also known as cupping therapy, holds significant
importance in Islamic tradition. Rooted in the wisdom of the
Prophetic Hadith, it serves as a bridge between physical and
spiritual realms, offering a holistic approach to well-being .

 The Origins of Hijama

The Prophetic Wisdom Behind Hijama
Balancing the Humors
The Physical Benefits of Hijama
Nurturing the Soul Through Hijama
Clearing Energetic Blockages
Embracing Hijama: A Personal Journey
THE ORIGIN
LET’S DIG THE PAST
1500 bc
•Ancient Egypt
•Eber’s Papyrus

•Chinese
281-341 CE •Ge Hong

•Greek Bronze Era

460-370 BC •Hippocrates

1400 yrs ago •Islamic scholars

current •Modern times

CHINESE - GE HONG
The earliest recorded use of cupping in China came from Ge Hong (283-343
AD), a famous alchemist and herbalist, in 300 A.D. In his writing, he
mentioned “more than half of ills cured” using acupuncture and cupping. In
his book, A Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies, he elaborates on
the use of animal cups to drain pus which he named as the horn technique.
During Tang dynasty (618- 907) other Chinese practitioners later expanded
the use of cupping therapy to treat headache, abdominal pain, dizziness,
and pulmonary tuberculosis by combining cupping with acupuncture,
moxibustion , and Chinese herbs.
 HIPPOCRATES
Hippocrates (460-370BC) used both wet and dry cupping for internal
diseases to balance four humors in the body
The earliest pictorial records date back to the ancient Egyptians around
1500 B.C. Translations of hieroglyphics in the Ebers papyrus, the oldest
medical textbook
 Abu Bakr Mohammad Ibn Zakaria
al-Razi (865-925)
 Just about 1,400 years ago, cupping was introduced to Islamic
areas. Since then cupping was practiced all over the Islamic
Empire, especially after Prophet Muhammad prescribed it as the
“best of all medicines.” Over time and extensive research, Muslims
were able to develop Hijama Cupping Therapy into a fine healing
art form.
 Abu Bakr Mohammad Ibn Zakaria al-Razi (865-925), known in the
West as Rhazes, was the leading scholar of the early Islamic world.
In the days of Rhazes bloodletting was very popular.

He was 1st physician to distinguish

between the chickenpox and measles
 Avicenna Ibn Sina
(980-1037)
Avicenna Ibn Sina (980-1037), a Persian
physician who wrote over 40 medical
books, mentions Hijama (literally means
“suction”) in his The Cannon of
Medicine. He states “It is enjoined not to
use cupping at the beginning of the
month, because the humors have not yet
risen and become active, and not at the
end of the month, because they are
reduced and become little. In the middle
of the month the humors are very active
and are increasing because of the increase
in light due to the size of the moon. he
cupped person can eat one hour later.
Never do a cupping with scarification until
you have done one without scarification
on the same spot.” He also gave specific
Dates for cupping
instructions according
for certain to the humors formation
conditions
 Henri Mondeville
(1260-1320)
According to Henri Mondeville, use of wet cupping
 near the naval to bring back a displaced uterus; over the
naval itself to reduce a hernia or stop excessive
menstruation in girls
 over the liver if the right nostril is bleeding
 over the spleen if the left nostril is bleeding
 on both liver and spleen if both nostrils bleed
 on the path of a renal stone coming down to the bladder, a
little below the pain so as to draw the stone downwards.”
 Richard Mead
(1673-1754)

Richard Mead (1673-1754), one of the brilliant English

physicians at the beginning of 18th century, treated apoplexy
by “cupping the nape and sides of the neck with pretty deep
scarifications. He cupped with deep scarifications under the
occipital to treat eye disease and with slight scarification
around the naval for acute abdominal conditions.”
He also discussed limitation of cupping in treating pains in the
joints. “In this disease, little is to be expected from cupping or
blistering the part; for the acid humor lies too deep fixed in
the membrane surrounding the bone, to be drawn out by
these means.”
 William Herberden
(1767-1845 AD)
William Herberden (1767-
1845 AD), who presented
a classic description of
angina pectoris, described
in his book, Commentaries
on the History and Cure of
Diseases, how he
successfully treated a 68-
year-old woman with
giddiness (dizziness) using
cupping therapy every six
weeks until she died at
the age of 85
Modern cupping
 WHY CHOOSE CUPPING THERAPY
 Natural Healing: Cupping is a non-invasive therapy that relies on the body’s innate
ability to heal itself. By promoting blood circulation and stimulating energy flow, it
encourages natural healing processes
 Localized Treatment: Cupping targets specific areas of the body. By creating
suction, it draws blood to those areas, promoting healing and pain relief.
 Pain Management: For those seeking relief from chronic pain, cupping can be
beneficial. It targets specific areas of discomfort, reducing inflammation and tension.
 Energetic Flow: Cupping is believed to clear energetic blockages, allowing vital
energy (qi or prana) to flow freely. This aligns with principles from traditional Chinese
medicine and Ayurveda.
 Customizable: Practitioners can adjust cupping techniques based on individual
needs. Whether dry, wet, or fire cupping, the approach can be tailored.
 Traditional Wisdom: Cupping has been practiced for centuries across various
cultures. Its longevity and historical use lend credibility to its effectiveness.
 Non-Invasive: Cupping is a non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical intervention. It
doesn't involve incisions, injections, or medications, making it a gentle and natural
option.
PHYSIOLOGY OF CUPPING
THERAPY
Certainly! Let’s explore what happens at a
microscopic level during cupping therapy:
i. Suction and Capillaries
ii. Blood Flow and Healing
iii. Implications
 Suction and Capillaries:
When cupping therapy is applied, the therapist places special cups on the
skin, creating suction.
This suction force draws the tissue beneath the cup upward, causing it to
swell.
Microscopic blood vessels, known as capillaries, lie just beneath the skin.
The suction ruptures and enlarges these capillaries .

Blood Flow and Healing:

The increased suction leads to localized congestion in the capillaries.
As a result, blood flow to the affected area intensifies.
The body responds by replenishing the cupped areas with healthier blood
flow.
At a cellular level, this stimulates proper healing.

Implications:
The disrupted capillaries release inflammatory mediators.
These mediators play a role in immune modulation and local healing.
Cupping therapy may also influence lipid metabolism and have anti-
inflammatory effects.
Thank
you

MOHD SHAHABAZ
MD AWAISUDDIN
MD FAZIL HUSSAIN
FURQAN KHAN
MOHD TALHA UDDIN
MD NAJAN ZISHARAT