How Hijama Works
Dry and Massage Cupping Therapy functions in the opposite manner to a regular Swedish, deep tissue, lymphatic drainage massage or myofascial release massage. Indeed, the end result is essentially the same; increased blood circulation and relaxation. But a regular massage involves pushing down and compressing the tissues and muscles, using varying massage techniques. In contrast, cupping therapy pulls the tissues up. When the localized vacuum is created inside the cup, a powerful negative pressure literally sucks up the components within the tissues and muscles and causes vasodilatation. Thus, there is a dramatic increase in blood and lymph circulation. By pulling the flesh up and outwards from the underlying structures, it facilitates rigid soft tissue release and the ability to recover from pain and injuries quickly. It loosens areas of adhesion, restriction and tension “knots”. It stimulates synovial fluids which then ease stiffness in joints and sore muscles. It also tonifies and strengthens muscles.
A ten minute, heavy, massage cupping session will increase the heart rate and be equivalent to walking 2 km! A patient can literally lie still on the table and do nothing, but have cupping done half an hour hour. Yet, when they leave, their internal physiology will be the same as a person who has done an aerobic workout at the gym!
Cupping therapy penetrates deep in to the body; approximately 4” deep and promotes blood circulation and nourishment to all the internal organs. It strengthens the immune system and increases the white blood cell count. When the localized “bruising” or congestion occurs, the body thinks it is hurt. So the immune system sends out more white blood cells to heal the area quickly. It engages the parasympathetic nervous system which increases relaxation and promotes pain relief. Cupping therapy stimulates the nervous system reflex to the cerebral cortex and aids in faster recovery from sickness and pain.
Hormone production rapidly increases and allows the digestive tract to function efficiently. It is able to rid the body of toxic substances easily and so improve the overall health of the body. This also contributes to healthier looking skin and the slowing down of the ageing process. Cupping therapy increases both the temperature and metabolism within the skin. It is excellent for facelifts and rejuvenating the complexion. Cupping allows efficient functioning of sebaceous glands and flushing capillary beds. Thus, it drains stagnant blood, toxins and lymph through sweat, urine and stool.
Cupping allows a person to lose weight as the body is able to get rid of water retention and cellulite. Intensive cupping can break up adhesions under the skin which cause the dimples in fatty, fleshy areas. It increases circulation, and thus, the body’s ability to detoxify naturally. It sucks out fatty acids, debris and toxins which have harmfully settled in the tissues. It forces them back in to circulation. These will eventually be expelled by the body naturally at some point. It allows the ample flow of vital nutrients throughout the body.
In the case of Hijama, all of the above points also apply. Further, by the very nature of wet cupping, it increases the red and white blood cell counts in the body. Acidic blood will eventually become neutral or more alkaline, and a natural pH balance will be attained. This is very useful if a patient has acidic, thick or stagnant blood. Hijama will de-acidify and eventually thin the blood, thus enable it to circulate around the body effectively. It purifies blood and facilitates both blood flow and energy to diseased organs and tissues. This is beneficial because 70% of diseases occur because of poor blood and oxygen supply to certain organs and tissues.
As with everything in Islam, there is divine wisdom behind every action and instruction. There are strict rules that must be followed. Those rules are there for a scientific and spiritual reason and for our own benefit. So if Hijama is not performed at the specified times, there is not much benefit in it. If the body is wet cupped prematurely, then the patient will be left tired and weak. They will simply lose healthy red and white blood cells and lymph fluid unnecessarily. There will be no real physical advantage of Hijama being performed at the wrong time.
“Whoever performs Hijama cupping in the 17th, 19th and 21st day (of the Islamic Lunar month), then it is a cure for every disease”. *Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah #3861].
The moon has a huge influence upon Prophetic medicine in Islam and mentioned frequently throughout The Holy Quran. The moon has a huge impact upon all life forms on Earth including human beings, animals, fish, plants and water bodies, because of its gravitational pull on Earth. It causes all fluids to rise at particular times of during the monthly lunar cycle. This also includes a change in the human body, thus the recommended times to perform Hijama. It all has to do with gravitational pull and the levels of the four fluid humors (black & yellow bile, blood and phlegm) and water inside the human body at certain times of the month. Just as the moon affects the tide of the ocean, it affects the human body.
According to Ibn Sina’s research, the four humors inside the human body were on the rise and in a state of agitation during the full moon. The full moon pulls the blood towards the skull during the full moon. As the moon begins to wane in the third week of the month, the fluids begin to recline in the body. The residue that is left over in the upper parts of the body is septic and should be removed through hijama, in order to cleanse the blood and cardio-vascular system.