What Is Hijama
Hijama therapy is distinctive from the well-known practice of ‘cupping’ as it is governed by specific times when it should be done as well as specific points on the body that enhances health, detoxifies the body and builds up immunity. Hijama is an Arabic word meaning ‘sucking or vacuum’. Originally Hijama was known as ‘cupping’ because of the use of cups as therapeutic tools. The horn or cup was heated to create a negative pressure and this was mostly used to draw out blood and pus, but later, it was found to be effective in treating other diseases and over time developed into a therapeutic method.
Hijama Therapy is based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a Holistic system of preventative medicine that incorporates diet, exercise and medicine in order to promote and maintain a healthy, balanced mind and body. The underpinning aim is that of maintaining balance within the body’s systems in order to prevent ill health from occurring. This is done by bringing about a balanced flow of the body’s energy, known as Chi, which flows around the body in pathways known as Meridians. It is believed that all illness that manifests in the body is the result of an imbalance of this energy. By stimulating specific points along these Meridian pathways it is possible to influence the flow of Chi. The effects of this include, dispersing stagnant accumulations of Chi and strengthening, or tonifying, areas of weak Chi, thereby restoring, and maintaining the body’s natural state.
The Prophet (saw) enhanced this practice by prescribing specific times at which to perform Hijama Therapy in order to derive the most benefit and by stipulating the preferred areas of the body to perform Hijama to facilitate and promote good health and wellbeing as a preventative measure against the onset of ill health.
Muhammad Ibn Abdullah was born in Makkah in the year 570, during the period of history Europeans call the Middle Ages. He recommended the use of Hijama therapy as a means of preventive medicine and curing many ailments. “Hijama is one of the best ways for human beings to cure themselves.”
He specified certain places on the body that should have this as a preventive treatment even if the individual is well. He specified the timing of this treatment and recommended it on the 17th, 19th, and 21st of the lunar calendar. It is these specific timings and places on the body that renders Hijama different from cupping. This is to do with the gravity of the moon to do with the body elimination of toxins. He also mentioned that Hijama should be done at the back of the neck, and between the two shoulder blades as this is where toxins accumulate and this place connects the brain to the rest of the body bringing oxygen into the brain and helping the body to repair itself.