Cupping Therapy
Like black seed therapy for cancer and all diseases, cupping is also a main prophetic tradition of literally millions of individuals every year. I wanted to share the knowledge of the many benefits of such a procedure. It is not difficult to find a person who has this knowledge if you cannot find one close to you on the internet.
What is it?
Hijama' in arabic is derived from “hajm” which means 'sucking'. Cupping (hijama) is the process of applying cups to various points on the body by removing the air inside the cups to form a vacuum.
Cupping (hijama) is of three types:
1. Dry cupping - This is the process of using a vacuum on different areas of the body in order to gather the blood in that area without incisions (small, light scratches using a sterile surgical blade or disinfected razor).
2. Dry massage cupping – This is similar to dry cupping but olive oil is applied to the skin (before applying the cups) in order to allow easy movement of the cups.
3. Wet cupping - This is the process of using a vacuum at different points on the body but with incisions in order to remove “harmful” blood which lies just beneath the surface of the skin. The cup is placed on the part of the body necessary to remove the bad blood and it is used to pump up an area. The cup is removed and 7-9 slits are made in the pumped area (and yes it is practically painless) the cup is then placed over the cuts and it is pumped again releasing the bad blood. Now this cup sits there for several minutes as the blood seeps through. The process is repeated usually 4-5 times. It is usual that the cupping would be done on many areas of the body depending on your illness or for just basic maintenance as in my case on different areas close to major organs.
It is recommended prior to the procedure to fast for 12 hours and it is tradition to break the fast after the procedure with dates and water. The first time I did I did not eat as much as I was told not to eat breakfast, I felt light headed after doing wet cupping and could barely get up, I should have warned the lady who was performing it on me to not to go rogue so if this is your first time, take it easy. I was driven home but had the best nights sleep ever.
Cupping creates a stretch in the fascia and by pulling the tissue up into the cup it’s also separating the tissue layers underneath, stretching more fascia and pulling apart adhesions. Cupping also dilates the capillaries, which helps to increase blood flow to the area. This is what leaves the round marks at times (not bruises) as increased blood flow is important for healing. When you release the cup the blood should be able to freely flush out, creating a detox affect to the area. When there is increased tension and decreased circulation to the muscle then the blood won’t be able to flush out as easily, which is why marks can get left behind. But don’t be afraid to leave the marks. The body will continue to work on removing the trapped blood from that area. So you will continue to have increased circulation and healing benefits from it. The more you do cupping and the more you relax and open up that tissue, the less likely you are to have marks. The marks typically go away within 3-7 days, depending on how dark they are. It is really beneficial to the whole body and I thoroughly enjoy it now.
Some dos and don’ts:
Try and not do the procedure on Wednesday or Saturdays.
Try to get close to the full moon and the best is the 17th-21st of the lunar calendar. During the full moon, the moon’s gravitational pull influences bodily fluids, similar to tides on Earth. By the 17th–21st, toxins and “agitated” blood move to the upper skin layers, making it easier to remove them.
If you cannot do the above two - don’t kick yourself about it…the specific mention of these conditions appearing on Wednesdays is cited in a Hadith (narrative) in Sunan Ibn Majah 3487, which advises against cupping on certain days and mentions that calamities like leprosy and leukoderma were inflicted on a Wednesday. So if you don’t follow Islam then feel free to choose whichever day that suits you.
For females, it is best to wait until your period is over as your body is already undergoing a natural cleansing anyway.
It is recommended to perform general hijama in the early morning before 10 a.m. while the impurities in the blood are still settled in the areas bled for hijama and have not had time to circulate and diffuse in the general circulation.
If you have a problem, such as thick blood which you will be able to see, return in 2 months and do this again.
Go for a qualified nurse as well as a hijama specialist they can usually can look at the hands and fingers and literally tell you where you illness is or isn't. She should be able to tell the condition of your body without x-rays but with knowledge of the body itself.
Make sure you are in a professional setting and not in someone’s house, call up before to ensure that you have a female performing the cupping session (if female) and vice versa.
If you're hesitant to try cupping therapy and wondering if it really works, based on my experience, it does help relax muscle pain. Just be very careful when choosing a specialist—research their reviews and make sure everything is clean, especially the cups and needles used for wet cupping. Personally, I believe the blood that comes out during the process is 'dirty blood,' and it's better to remove it from your body, similar to how blood donation works.
This is an extremely old fashion procedure and it has been practiced for hundreds and thousands of years and too many have forgotten this oh so wonderful treatment. After all Narrated Ibn Abbas(R.A): (The Prophet (SAWS) said), “Healing is in three things: A gulp of honey, cupping, and branding with fire.” But I forbid my followers to use branding with fire.”
Cupping Vs Sauna/Steam
Saunas uses dry heat to induce a full-body sweating for detoxification and relaxation. Cupping is actually best done after a sauna and often preceded by massage.
In Finland, sauna was the place where a child were born and when you died, your body was washed. It is a sacral place for Finns as Finland is where Sauna originated. Once they landed in the US where many Finnish families settled, they had sauna's for families to use daily. During the winter after sauna they would roll in the snow naked to close their pores & summer hit the lakes. They were very healthy and heart disease was not even spoken about.
In Mexico ancient aztecs did their own version: Temazcal. It is done on a clay dome, where rocks are heated over a roaring flame are brought to the point of emitting light. Water is then poured on top to make steam and fill the room. Sometimes, the floor of the temazcal is carpeted in aromatic herbs.
Once you live this life you cannot go back in peace, 10 yrs in the game. I have used the sauna intensely and intentionally. If you have access to a sauna and steam room, USE IT! I think the reason it isn’t hyped as the magic bullet it is, is exactly because it’s hard to commoditise and sell to the public en masse. Sauna use is as beneficial to the normal person as keeping regularly hydrated. It’s simple but it will make you much healthier, regardless of how crap your diet is.
I usually go inside it and sweat til I need to get out and do that 3 times which is usually 20 minutes according to the egg timer. Exercising and doing cardio before the sauna does make it feel better at the end. I think one of the main benefits is how well it improves my mental well being.
Some dos and don’ts:
Don’t eat a heavy meal before
Drink plenty of water before, during and after
Start by going in for 5-10 minutes
Please enquire about female only sessions if you are a female, highly would not recommend a mixed session.
Bring flip flops
Try taking a cold shower straight after to boost your circulation and help trigger the vagus nerve. Heat and cold stress increase the number of mitochondria in cells. Cells with more mitochondria have extra energy for conducting repair and clean up of cells.
You'll feel more self-conscious that other people can see you in your swimming wear and you'll want to do more to improve your body. I have to limit how often I go because I would go everyday if I could. It gives me the same feeling as going for a long run. Complete stress relief.