Hijama is a Sunnah practice. The Prophet ﷺ was cupped and said that among the best remedies is hijama (al-Bukhari). Many Muslims use it for general wellbeing. But what does clinical research show about its benefits?
What is hijama?
In wet cupping, a practitioner applies suction cups, removes them, makes small superficial cuts in the skin, and then reapplies the cups to draw out a small amount of blood. Dry cupping uses suction alone.
What the research shows
- Neck and back pain: systematic reviews of randomised trials have found that wet cupping may reduce chronic neck pain and non-specific low back pain in the short term, compared with no treatment or usual care.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome and nerve pain: a few small trials report improvement in pain and symptoms.
- Headaches and migraine: some studies suggest benefit, but the evidence is limited.
- Other conditions: claims about high blood pressure, diabetes, fertility or “detox” are not supported by strong evidence.
The limits of the evidence
Most trials are small, short, and hard to blind – people know whether they have been cupped – so a placebo effect is difficult to rule out. Reviewers consistently call for larger, better-designed studies. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health concludes that cupping may help pain but most research is of low quality.
How might it work?
Researchers suggest cupping may reduce pain by stimulating the skin and muscles (counter-irritation), increasing local blood flow and relaxing tight tissue. These ideas are still being studied.
Safety first
- Only use practitioners who use single-use, sterile blades and cups – reused equipment can spread hepatitis B, C and HIV.
- Check that the practitioner is trained and, in the UK, registered with the local council for skin-piercing where required.
- Speak to your doctor first if you are pregnant, anaemic, diabetic, on blood thinners or have a heart or skin condition.
See also: cupping marks explained and how to choose a safe hijama clinic.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I have hijama?
Many practitioners suggest once every one to three months for general wellbeing. Frequent sessions can lower iron levels in some people.
Is hijama better than dry cupping?
There is not enough high-quality research comparing them directly.
Can hijama replace my medication?
No. It is a complementary practice and should not replace treatment prescribed by your doctor.
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This article is general information, not medical or religious advice. Please speak to a qualified professional about your own situation, and to a qualified scholar about specific religious rulings.
Sources
- NCCIH – Cupping
- Evidence-based and adverse-effects analyses of cupping therapy (PubMed)
- Sahih al-Bukhari 5696.