Hijama is the traditional practice of wet cupping: cups are placed on the skin to create suction, tiny superficial scratches are made, and the cups are reapplied to draw out a small amount of blood. It is one of the oldest therapies in the world, recommended in the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and it is enjoying a real revival today.
If you are thinking about trying it, you probably have questions. Is it safe? Does it hurt? What is it actually used for, and what does the research say? We have practised and recorded wet cupping in clinic for many years, so in this guide we answer the questions our clients ask us most often, in plain English.
At a glance
- Hijama is wet cupping: suction plus small superficial scratches to draw out a little blood. Dry cupping uses suction only.
- It has been used for at least 3,500 years and is strongly encouraged in Islamic tradition.
- People use it for pain, headaches, tiredness, circulation and general well-being. Early research is promising but limited.
- Bruising and round marks are normal. It must be done by a trained therapist with sterile, single-use equipment.
- Some people, such as those with bleeding disorders or on blood thinners, should not have hijama without medical advice.
What is hijama?
The word hijama comes from the Arabic hajm, meaning "to suck" or "to draw out". In practice, it is a form of cupping therapy in which a therapist:
- Places hijama cups on specific points and creates suction for a few minutes.
- Removes the cups and makes small, shallow scratches on the raised skin.
- Reapplies the cups so that a small amount of blood collects inside them.
- Removes the cups, cleans the area and gives aftercare advice.
This is what separates hijama from dry cupping, which uses suction alone without breaking the skin. Both are forms of cupping therapy, but in Arabic-speaking and Muslim communities the word almost always means wet cupping.
The points chosen matter. A session for back pain uses different points from one for migraines or high blood pressure, and many conditions respond best to a series of sessions rather than a single treatment. You can see exactly where the points are on our body maps.
A short history of hijama
Cupping is so old that its exact origins are unknown. Versions of it developed independently across Egypt, China, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America, using whatever materials were to hand: animal horns, bamboo, ceramic, metal and later glass.
- Ancient Egypt: the Ebers Papyrus (around 1550 BCE), one of the oldest medical texts we have, describes cupping. A cup even appears in the hieroglyph used for a physician.
- China: the physician Ge Hong (281 to 341 CE) described using animal horns to draw fluids from the body.
- The Islamic world: hijama was practised and recommended by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and Ibn Sina (Avicenna) included cupping in his Canon of Medicine (1025 CE), which was taught in European universities for centuries.
Cupping fell out of mainstream Western medicine in the 20th century, but it never disappeared from traditional practice, and today cupping clinics are found all over the world.
Hijama in Islam and the Sunnah
For many Muslims, this is more than a therapy: it is a Sunnah, a practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that carries spiritual as well as physical benefit. Several well-known narrations encourage it:
"Healing is in three things: a gulp of honey, cupping, and branding with fire, but I forbid my followers to use branding."
Reported in Sahih al-Bukhari
"Indeed, the best of remedies you have is cupping (hijama)."
Reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
Narrations in the collections of Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi describe the angels, during the Prophet’s Night Journey, instructing him to tell his followers to practise cupping.
What are the Sunnah days for hijama?
A narration in Sunan Abi Dawud recommends having hijama on the 17th, 19th or 21st of the Islamic (lunar) month, and describes it as a cure for every disease. This is a religious teaching rather than a medical claim. Many people therefore book their cupping on these dates (see our Sunnah hijama dates calendar), and some scholars also mention Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays as preferred days. Treatment can still be done on other days when there is a medical need.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was also cupped on specific points of the body. You can learn where these are in our guide to the nine Sunnah points, and read more about its history in faith in the Islamic roots of hijama.
What are the benefits of hijama?
People choose wet cupping for many reasons, from easing a specific problem to simply feeling better in themselves. The benefits most commonly reported are:
- Better circulation: suction draws blood to the area, which is thought to bring fresh oxygen and nutrients to tired or tight tissues.
- Pain relief: many people use it for back, neck and shoulder pain, headaches and joint aches.
- Relaxation and stress relief: the treatment stimulates nerve endings in the skin, and many clients say they feel calmer and sleep better afterwards.
- A sense of cleansing: wet cupping removes a small amount of blood, which practitioners believe helps clear "stagnant" blood from the area.
- Skin health: gentle facial cupping is used to support skin tone and elasticity.
It is important to be honest: most of these benefits come from practitioners’ experience and small studies rather than large trials. Cupping should support conventional medical care, never replace it.
What conditions is hijama used for?
Wet cupping has traditionally been used for a very wide range of complaints, including:
- back pain, sciatica and neck and shoulder pain
- migraines and headaches
- high blood pressure and poor circulation
- tiredness, low energy and poor sleep
- digestive problems such as IBS and indigestion
- skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis and psoriasis
- sinus congestion and other breathing problems
- fertility and menstrual problems, including period cramps
Each condition uses its own set of points and usually a sequence of sessions. We have written detailed, session-by-session hijama treatment plans for 68 conditions, such as our plan for back pain.
What does the research say about hijama?
Research into cupping is growing, but it is still at an early stage. A 2012 review in PLOS ONE looked at more than a hundred clinical trials of cupping and found possible benefits for conditions such as shingles, acne, facial paralysis and neck pain. It also warned that many of the studies were small and at risk of bias.
Researchers have proposed several ways cupping might work, including reducing pain signals, stimulating the immune system and improving local blood flow. We explore these in our article on the revival of cupping therapy.
Because treatment is usually tailored to each person, it is hard to study with the kind of large, standardised trials used for medicines, and funding is limited. Better research is needed, but the risks are low when it is done properly.
The different types of cupping
Wet cupping is one of several cupping methods. Each uses suction differently:
Dry cupping
Cups are applied with a hand pump or heat to create suction, without any scratches. It is often used for muscle tension and relaxation.
Wet cupping (hijama)
Suction, then small superficial scratches, then suction again to draw out a little blood. This is the method described in the Sunnah.
Moving (massage) cupping
Lightly suctioned cups are glided over oiled skin. It works like a reverse massage, lifting tight muscles and fascia, and is useful for muscular imbalances.
Flash cupping
Cups are applied and removed quickly, again and again. It gives gentle stimulation and is sometimes used for colds and for people who are new to cupping.
Facial cupping
Small, soft cups are moved gently over the face to support skin tone and reduce puffiness. It does not involve scratches.
Fire cupping
Heat is used inside a glass cup to create a strong vacuum. It is traditional but carries a risk of burns, so it must only be done by experienced therapists.
Magnetic cupping
Cups with built-in magnets. They are popular with some practitioners, but there is little evidence that the magnets add anything.
What happens during a hijama session?
A typical session with a qualified therapist lasts 45 minutes to an hour:
- Consultation: your therapist asks about your health, medicines and the problem you want help with, and checks that hijama is suitable for you.
- Preparation: the skin is cleaned and the points are marked.
- Suction: cups are applied for a few minutes to bring blood to the surface.
- Scratches: small, shallow scratches are made with a sterile, single-use blade.
- Drawing blood: the cups go back on for a few minutes while a small amount of blood collects.
- Aftercare: the cups are removed, the skin is cleaned and dressed, and you are given aftercare advice.
Most people describe the treatment as surprisingly comfortable. The suction feels like a firm pull, and the scratches are usually no more than a brief sting.
Side effects and who should avoid hijama
When it is done by a trained therapist the risks are low, but there are some side effects you should expect:
- round marks and bruising, which usually fade within one to two weeks
- mild tiredness or light-headedness straight after treatment
- small scratch marks that heal over a few days
Blistering, burns and infection should never happen and are signs of poor technique or hygiene. Equipment must be sterile and single use, cups must never be shared, and treatment should never be done in a group setting.
Talk to your doctor before having hijama if you have a bleeding or clotting disorder, take blood-thinning medicines, have anaemia, are pregnant, have diabetes, have a heart condition or a pacemaker, or have broken skin, varicose veins or active skin disease over the points to be treated.
Hijama aftercare tips
- Keep the treated areas clean and dry for the rest of the day.
- Drink plenty of water and eat light, wholesome meals.
- Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas and very hot showers for 24 hours.
- Rest if you feel tired, which is common after treatment.
- Tell any other healthcare provider about your cupping marks so they are not mistaken for injuries.
Frequently asked questions about hijama
Is hijama painful?
Most people find it far less painful than they expect. The suction feels like a firm pull and the small scratches cause only a brief sting. A good therapist adjusts the suction to keep you comfortable.
How often should I have hijama?
For general well-being, many people are cupped every one to three months, often on the Sunnah days. For a specific condition, a series of sessions a few weeks apart is common. Your therapist or treatment plan will advise you.
How long do hijama marks last?
The marks usually fade within one to two weeks. Darker marks often appear where circulation is poorest, and many people find the marks get lighter over a course of treatment.
Can I do hijama at home?
Wet cupping involves breaking the skin, so it should only be done by someone trained in safe technique, anatomy and hygiene. If you are learning, follow detailed guidance and always use sterile, single-use equipment.
Is hijama the same as cupping therapy?
Yes and no. Cupping therapy is the wider term and includes dry, moving and flash cupping, while hijama specifically means wet cupping, where a small amount of blood is drawn out.
Ready to find the right points? Browse our session-by-session hijama treatment plans for 68 conditions, or book a one-to-one consultation for a plan made around you.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Always consult your GP or medical practitioner, and a certified hijama therapist, before starting treatment.
