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What is Hijamah?
Hijamah comes from the Arabic word al-hajm, which means sucking so hijama is the Arabic word for the ancient practice of cupping. Cupping is a technique in which a cup is applied to the skin and a vacuum is formed by using suction or fire.
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Types of Cupping
Dry cupping is the practice of cups being placed on the skin using heated glass cups (fire cupping) or applying suction (suction cupping). This draws the blood to the surface of the skin and helps to release blockages and stagnant blood. This is done prior to hijama.
Wet cupping (Hijama) uses the same above techniques as dry cupping but in this case small incisions are made in the surface of the skin and then the cup is placed over them and suction applied causing the blood to be released. It is this method that was performed on the Prophet Muhammad and he said about it: ‘the best treatment you can use is cupping’ (Al-Bukhari: 5371)
Moving cupping involves applying oil to the skin by hand and then applying a cup with gentle suction and moving it over surface of the skin. This treatment is beneficial for the removal of cellulite and the breakdown of fat cells under the skin. It helps improve circulation and lymphatic drainage
How does Hijamah work?
The blood taken out during hijama comes out through small capillaries in the skin. This blood is considerably more toxic than blood taken out from your veins. When hijama cupping is administered the body begins a healing process as it thinks it has been injured and so releases more white blood cells which boosts the immune system. By expelling toxins the body is able to rebalance itself and get back to homeostatic state.
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How Hijamah helps you get healthy?
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Helps tissues release toxins
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De-acidifies tissue directly when it is applied to that area
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Enhances the blood circulation by releasing stagnant blood
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Stimulates the immune system
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Reduces stress which is a major cause in illness
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Stimulates the flow of blood and lymph in the affected area
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The Benefits of Hijamah
Hijama cupping is a treatment that can be used safely to treat almost any ailment of the body. For centuries it has been used to treat sciatica, back pain and clearing congestion as a result of the flu. Hijama has a positive effect on many health problems, such as:
Arthritis | Joint pain | Back pain |Muscle pain | Spondylosis | Headache and migraines | Thyroid conditions | Multiple sclerosis | Infertility | Period pins and cramps | Depression | Stress | Varicose veins | Cellulite (sliding or moving cupping) | Acne | Gout | Diabetes | Asthma | High blood pressure | Constipation | Insomnia | Food allergies | Poor circulation | Obesity | Bladder infection | Chronic cough | Testicle varicosis | Loss of speech | Numbness of limbs | Incontinence | Diarrhoea and vomiting | Muscle spasms | Cancer
Recommended Reading
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Cupping, the Great Missing Therapy - Dr Sahbaa M Bondok
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Cupping - Shihab Al-Badry Yasin
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Prophetic Medicine - Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya
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Arabic Terms:
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Al-Hijama: Cupping profession
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Al-Hajjam/ah: The Cupper
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Mihjaam: Tool that collects the blood
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