HIJAMA (CUPPING) THERAPY - AN

OVERVIEW

Presented byDr Mohd Shahid

National Institute of Unani Medicine,

Bangalore

ObjectivesHistorical Background of HijamaWhat is Hijama ?Principles to follow while performing hijama Mode of action of HijamaResearch studies on cupping therapyConclusion

Historical Background of Hijama (Cupping) Oldest document of Cupping was in Macedonia mentioned

in 3300 B.CIn 2600 BC after 700 years of Macedonia this art entered

into ChinaAncient Papyrus 2200 B.C also describes about the

common practice of Hijama in the worldHippocrates described both dry and wet cupping in his

treatise “Guide to Clinical Treatment” which has been widely employed for the cure of broad range of conditions and gaining popularity worldwide.

Cont…Avicenna in his book “Al Qanoon” has mentioned

Hijama as a medical pillar for management of over 37 kinds of diseases. (Dearlove,Verguei, Birkin, & Latham, 1981)

In Arabic this method of therapy was popularised by our Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) as stated in many Hadith

Hijama is Sunnah (the best of remedies) انس الله : رض عن رسول قال وسلم قال عليه الله ما : صلئ امثل ان

البحرئ والسط ، الحجامة به تداويتمAnas Ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased

upon him) reported that the Prophet ( S.A.W) said, “Indeed the best of remedies you have is cupping (hijama)…” [Saheeh al-Bukhaari (5371)].

“Sunnah” means Practices of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) and his recommendations/guidance

There is cure in three thingsعباس ابن النبي رض عن وسلم عن عليه الله في : : صلئ ثالثة في الشفاء قال

الكي عن امتى وانهي بنار، كية او عسل، شربة اؤ محجم شرطةNarrated Ibn Abbas: The Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W)

said “healing is in three things:

1. Cupping

2. A gulp of honey

3. Cauterization (branding with fire). But I forbid my followers to use cauterization

Best time of hijama: 17th, 19th, or 21st day (of the lunar month)

Application of cup by an Arab

A traditional hajjam sucking

a horn as muhajima applied on

Muhajim near the shoulder

What is Hijama (Cupping) ?It is an Arabic word derived form the term “Hajam” -

VolumeLiterally stands for “ to restore” “ to minimize” It is of two types

Hijama Bil Shart (Wet cupping)Hijama Bila Shart (Dry cupping)

Hijama or Cupping is a method used for local evacuation or diversion of morbid humours in which a horn (Singhi) is attached to the surface of the skin of the diseased part through negative pressure created by vacuum. The vacuum is created by the introduction of heat or suction

Dry Cupping

Wet Cupping

Indication of cupping HypertensionSciatica Back painMigraineGynecological disordersGout Knee painDiseases of the liver,

spleen

Heaviness of headAsthmaDyspnoea MigrainePalpitation Headache HaemorrhoidsPsoriasis

Types of cups used Animal Horns Bamboo Pottery Fire (cups) Metal Cups Glass cups / Glasses

Animal horns

Bamboo cups

Pottery cups

Metal CupsThe traditional Hajjam applied one metal cup by creating the vacuum with sucking and applying second cup

The patient’s blood in a bowel for the patient to see before discarding

Glass cup with Suction pipe

Modern Cups

Apparatus used for cupping (OLD)

• Bull horn• Scissor• Blade• Anti Septic and Wound healing Powders• Dressing Material

Apparatus used for cupping(Modern)

• Hand Gloves• Anti septic lotions• Cupping instrmnt. • Surgical Blade• Sterile dressing cloth

Dry Cupping

Dry CuppingIt is the application of a suction cup over an area of

intact skin

The idea is to draw underlying blood and fluid away from the area of inflammation to the surface of the skin

This method relieves the congestion from the inflamed area, but do not remove fluid from the body.

Application of Modern Suction Cups

Inflammation or swelling like skin protrusion occurs inside the dry cups, indicates the drawing of the body fluids and blood over the surface of the skin.

Fire Cupping (Hijamat e Nariya)

Wet Cupping Wet cupping is the application of a

suction cup over an area of incised skin

Wet cupping works according to the principle of Tanqiya –e-mavad, i.e. evacuation of morbid matters from the affected area.

ProcedureWet cupping or Hijama is the same as fixed cupping

but involves administering small incisions on the superficial layer of skin

Cont…

Principles to follow while performing hijama Men and women are allowed to have the treatments and it is

recommended for all ages and all ailments (except very few)

It is recommended that wet cupping be practiced on the 17th, 19th and 21st days of the month

It should be performed on an empty stomach, Or After two hours of meals.

The person should be given muqawwi meda (stomachic) and daf’iah mawad (eliminating matter) sharbat like sharbat anar, santra, kasni, sirka, shikanjabeen prior to hijamat (Al Qanoon)

Contraindications of Hijama : Age: Infants <2 yrs & adults>65 yrs. At the beginning and end of lunar month. Extremely cold or hot weather. After eating, bathing, coitus and vigorous exercise. Over areas of skin with dermatitis, ulceration,

swelling; or over DVT, an artery or the heart. On chest and abdomen specially in pregnant women

during the first trimester. Patients with bleeding disorders ( Al Qanoon) Patient with cancer, bone fracture, muscle spasm.

Mode of Action of hijama (cupping)Effects of wet-cupping can be divided into several

components, neural, hematological, immune and psychological effects.

In particular, the ‘‘pain suppression’’ mechanism of wet-cupping might be through influence on neurological system.

When wet-cupping is done at diseased parts, blood circulation increases at that site

So improving the local temperature. Once the local temperature is maintained the spastic

condition gets rectified and the stiffness goes away or comes down.

Cont… In Unani medicine

Recent advances in cupping

The tissues beneath the cup drawn up and swell

Enhance the blood flow to the affected area.

Tanqia Mawad Draws Sammi Mawad( impurities and toxins) away from nearby tissues and organs to the skin, from where they are expelled out

Lift connective tissue & loosens the adhesions

Increases blood circulation in general and specially to the area treated.

Removes toxins and inflammatory products from the body & moves it from important organs such as (liver & kidney)) to less important organ such as (skin)

Cont…

Allow "fresh" blood to replace it.

Thus result in tanqia badan (Al qanoon)

Improves blood & fluid circulation

Thus cleanses blood & tissues

The research by Dr. David Parker ND on the effects and benefits of Hijama (Cupping) therapyHe wanted to explore its efficacy scientificallyThe blood extracted in the cup from different areas &

analyzed this blood under ;

Dark & light field microscopy

FindingsDry layered blood sample shows in light fields High concentrations of toxic metals and

chemical,as well as evidence of bacterial and parasitic activity

Cont…Live blood under dark field

High concentrations of acids and inflammatory proteins referred as fibrin

(When the blood was removed from an area where the patient was experiencing pain

and inflammation).

Conclusion of his studyArea of pain appears to act like a

magnet for acids, toxins and pathogens

So removal of these from the local area will bring about symptomatic relief

While encouraging fresh circulating blood, nutrients and oxygen to effected area thus providing healing and resolution.

Clinical Research studies on cupping therapy

Efficacy of unani regimen- hijama ma’a shurt (wet cupping therapy) with oral unani formulation in the management of ziabetus shakri (type-2 diabetes mellitus)”- A clinical study (Shaikh Nikhat et al. December 09-11, 2013 )

Result It has been observed that there was

remarkable improvement in polyuria, polyphagia & polydipsia in test group comparatively in the control group.

Cont…Efficacy of Hijamat Bila shurt (dry

cupping ) on Intensity of pain in Dysmenorrhoea – A prelimenary study (Arshiya Sultana et al. in NIUM)

Conclusion.Hijama bila shurt was efficacious in reducing the pain

intensity in dysmenorrhoea

Cont…A comparative clinical study on the effects

of Mehjama Nariya (fire cupping) and Hijamat Bila Shurt (dry cupping) in Irqunnasa (sciatica) Mohammed Sheeraz et al. 2013

Procedure Both the groups received the procedure over

lumbosacral region along the course of sciatic nerve with 4 cups of 45 mm diameterfor 20 minutes in the affected limb.

Conclusion

The study has revealed that both the regimens are equally effective in ameliorating the symptoms of Irqunnasa.

Site of Applications and UsesApplications Uses

1. Nape of the neck

2. Calf muscles

3. Over the loins

4. Extremeties

1. Fetor of the mouth, headache, meningitis, diphtheria, stomatitis, conjunctivitis.

2. Renal colic, metritis, amenorrhea

3. Inflammatory swellings in upper part of thigh, scabies, pustules, elephantiasis, hemorrhoids.

4. Headache, meningitis, hyperpyrexia

Applications Use1. Between the shoulder

blades.

2. Umbilicus

3. Below mammary gland

4. Under the chin

5. In front of thigh

1. Hemoptysis, pain in upper arms and throat pain

2. Abdominal colic, gastralgia and metritis.

3. Menorrhagia and perpeural diseases.

4. Cleanses head and jaws

5. Orchitis, leg ulcers

ConclusionCupping is not a new treatment; it can be traced back from

5000 yrs. Definitely there has to be millions of satisfied patients from such a long period.

Efficacy and safety of the therapy in different diseases as indicated by the Unani physicians can be evaluated on modern parameters , and can be used single or as an adjuvant with other therapies, so that the therapy becomes more commonly used for the treatment of various diseases.

Now science has proved the benefits of cupping therapy in treating numerous diseases.

Take Home MessageCupping therapy is a wonderful & a blessed treatment

on earth which activates the natural healing powers of the body

It is a treatment that shows immediate and long lasting results

Cupping technique is very useful, safe, effective, free from side effects and can be easily learned & applied.

The best solution for detoxifying our body ↓

CUPPING THERAPY.

THANK YOU..!!!!