adovr_d87389c80da99bef8f38776d3f905184 Articles medical and health: The Evidence For Hijama In US

The Evidence For Hijama In US

By Brenda Kelly


As long ago as 3000 BC, there are records of people benefiting from a type of ancient medicine called cupping. It is a very simple technique that involves placing cups on the skin under suction in order to improve blood flow to the skin. This approach was used in China and the Middle East. Cups have been made out of earthenware, glass, or bamboo. Another name for the therapy is Hijama in US.

Typically, western medical practitioners are skeptical of this ancient practice, although the prophet Muhammad himself was said to be highly in favor of it. Today, it is applied for a number of ailments, among them, Herpes zoster, paralysis of the face, acne, and spondylosis of the neck. Some patients request it to improve general health and wellness.

Proponents of the technique say that it promotes healing by removing toxins from the body. In Britain, the practice is used to treat a variety of conditions, among them blood disorders such as hemophilia, rheumatoid conditions like fibromyalgia, skin conditions, migraines, varicose veins, respiratory conditions, and affective disorders such as depression and anxiety.

In the United States, patients request cupping therapy for cleansing of the heart, lungs, liver, digestive system and other areas. Practitioners also administer the therapy to people with chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain, as well as lethargy, fatigue, brain fog, and stress.

There is a small but growing evidence base of carefully designed randomized controlled trials that show encouraging results for cupping. In 2009 clinical trials conducted in Iran, wet cupping was demonstrated to provide relief to patients with nonspecific low back pain. Another study involving 70 subjects with tension and migraine reported improvements of up to 66% in headaches after wet cupping treatment.

The process begins with the application and ignition of a flammable substance to the inside of the cups. After the flames die down, the cups are turned upside down and applied to the surface of the patient's skin. The substance is usually alcohol, paper or specific herbs. A vacuum is established when the cups cool down, drawing a shallow dome of skin into the cups. As this happens, the blood vessels increase in caliber.

In some cases, a rubber pump is used to achieve the vacuum. Cups made from medical grade silicon may be moved around on the patient's skin. This has a massaging effect.

Dry cupping relies on the use of suction only. In wet cupping, the patient's bleeding is carefully manipulated. Here, the cup is removed after a few minutes and a series of superficial scratches are made in the skin using a special cupping scalpel. The whole process looks really weird and painful, but patients report only mild discomfort. After the scratches, the cups are replaced and left for several minutes. Blood rises out of the scratches and pools inside the cups. Once the cups come off, the practitioner gently collects the pooled blood using soft, absorbent toweling. The cups are disposed of and the area of the skin underneath them is cleaned gently with antiseptic solution. With the upward pressure off, the bleeding ceases right away. Patients often report feeling relaxed and like they want to sleep.




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