INTRODUCTION:

The word “cupping” was derived from the Arabic verbs “hajama” and “haj’jamah” which they mean “to minimize” or “to restore to basic size”, or “to diminish in volume” or to “pull out”. In Arabic they say, “a certain person diminished the problem”, they meant that he returned the problem to its original size. Thus he who performed the cupping operation made diseases refrain from attacking him.[1]

The increase of spoiled blood (the old red blood cells, R.B. cell ghost) in the body rendered its cessation from growing when the person became twenty-two years old, and it accumulated in the back area of the person. With advance in age, these accumulations of spoiled blood hindered the circulation of the whole blood, eventually paralyzed the work of the young red corpuscles then the body became weak and exposed to various kinds of diseases.[2] When one performed cupping, the blood returned to its original condition and the stagnant blood went away (that blood which contained maximum rate of senile red corpuscles and their cells ghosts and abnormal shapes of red blood cells, and other impurities. The pressure on the blood circulation was lessened and the pure blood formed from young red corpuscles rushed to feed the cells and the body organs, and released them from harmful residues, damages and unwanted materials. Hijamah (Cupping) is the process of applying cups (See Fig.2) to various points on the body by removing the air inside the cups to form a vacuum.[3] Al-Hijamah (Cupping Therapy) gets rid of acidic toxic waste which accumulates in our bodies (blood stasis) as we grow older. Sources of toxic waste include

1. The polluted air we breathe;

2. Toxic chemicals found in your food, water, drinks, household chemicals and toiletries;

3. Environmental waste in your neighborhood;

4. Intoxicating drinks, narcotic drugs, junk food and smoking;

5. Waste products of normal body metabolism; Products of medicinal drugs metabolism;

6. Impact of trauma and accidents on our body;

7. Toxins from mental stress, anger, anxiety and depression.

8. Detoxification of the blood, stimulation of new blood formation.

9. Increased blood circulation and pain reduction.

Al-Hijamah (Cupping Therapy) has a dramatic detoxifying effect on the skin and circulatory system (See Fig.1). By increasing the flow of blood and plasma through the veins and arteries, cupping enhances the cleansing and removal of toxins. This detoxification may not be observable after just one treatment, but after about three to five treatments, there will be a noticeable improvement in the color of one’s complexion.[4]

Areas of Hijamah (Cupping):

Hijamah (cupping) on the top of the foot is a substitution for the puncturing of the Saphena, which is a large vein in the heel. It is beneficial for treating ulcers that occur on the thighs and calves, the interruption of menses and skin irritation on the testicles.[5] Hijamah (cupping) at the bottom of the chest is beneficial for the treatment of sores, scabies and mange on the thighs. It helps against gout, hemorrhoids, elephantiasis and itchiness on the back. [6]

Benefits of Al-Hijamah:

Al-Hijamah has stimulating and strengthening effects so it successfully treats the following conditions:

1. Constipation and Diarrhea

2. Headaches

3. Back pain

4. Arthritis

5. Period pain

6. Injuries

7. Asthma

8. Cellulite

9. Fatigue

10. Anemia

11. Depression

12. Emotional problems

13. Atrophy

14. Common cold and flu

15. Skin problems

16. Weight loss and much more.[7]

Even though Al-Hijamah is a very simple procedure, it has dramatic effects. Our health and well-being are tied up with the immune system and are totally dependent on the flow of blood and Qi (energy) and body fluids like hormones and lymphatic fluid. Traditional medicine tells us that all pain is due to stagnation of these symptoms. The cups used in Al-Hijamah have a wonderful pulling power and this is a dramatic technique in reducing pain and enhancing the feeling of well-being.[8]

Types of Hijamah:

Dry and Massage Hijamah (cupping):

The dry and massage hijamah (cupping) sets are to be kept and re-used but not shared by patients. The cups and acupressure magnets are not to be shared as these have direct contact with the skin. However, the suction pump and extension tube may be shared as they do not have direct contact with the skin. Each patient should have their own dry and massage hijamah (cupping) set which should be clearly labeled with their name or initials. Alternatively, if more than one patient shares a set, each cup and acupressure magnet must be clearly labeled with patient’s name or initials.[9]

Wet Hijamah (cupping):

For wet hijamah (cupping) the pumps are to be kept and re-used but not shared by patients. However, they must not become contaminated with blood. The areas which may become contaminated with blood are inside the (green) muzzle and the handle. If the pump becomes contaminated with blood, then it must be safely disposed of and replaced.[10] For wet hijamah (cupping) the plastic cups (See Fig.2) must be safely disposed of at the end of each session. They must never be re-used even for the same patient. The only way to 100% sterilize cups is by boiling them. However, plastic cups must not be boiled as they will melt and release toxins.[11] Contagious, blood diseases may take up to 10 years to develop and therefore the highest level of health and hygiene must always be maintained.[12]

Hijamah (cupping) therapists are entrusted with protecting:

1 The patient:

High levels of health and hygiene must always be used to ensure no harm comes to the patient, e.g. by not re-using cups, blades, disposable materials etc.

2 Yourself (the therapist):

High levels of health and hygiene must always be used to ensure no harm comes to yourself, e.g. by wearing 2 pairs of medical, latex, powder-free, gloves etc.

3 Others:

Levels of health and hygiene must always be used to ensure no harm comes to anybody else, e.g. ensuring that all blades are always placed in a sharps box and incinerated. Likewise, all contaminated, disposable material e.g. cups, tissues, blood, gloves, face masks, aprons etc, are always placed in clinical waste bags and incinerated. For incineration services, contact your local council, local clinics/hospitals, chemist or private incineration businesses. Blades and contaminated material etc MUST NEVER be disposed of in normal, household rubbish bins.[13]

What is cupping therapy?:

Cupping is the modern term for an ancient medical treatment in which a partial vacuum is created in cups that are positioned onto the surface of the body. The vacuum created by either heat or suction draws up skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle layers a few millimeters into the cups.[14] The negative pressure that translates into the body’s tissues encourages blood flow, the release of toxins and the removal of waste and has been found to affect the body up to four inches deep through the tissues.[15] The cups can be left in one place on the skin or moved around as part of massage cupping. The treatment can be utilized to influence the movement of bodily fluids such as lymph fluid, venous drainage and the reduction of stagnant flow. As the treatment uses negative pressure it lifts up muscles and tissues rather than pressing down on them like in conventional massage, it enables the treatment to massage tissues from the inside out. This has beneficial effects on muscles, fascia and skin as well as influencing the deeper organs.[16]

What is wet cupping therapy?:

Wet cupping is also an ancient medical technique popular amongst Arab cultures. It utilizes the same principles of regular cupping therapy except it allows the release and removal of stagnant blood, toxins, inflammation and swellings through the application of small scratches or pin pricks over the areas where the suction is applied. This combination of cupping therapy and controlled bloodletting has been utilized for over 3000 years and was a practice the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) promoted and recommended as an inspiration from God. The practice of wet cupping was also an integral part of more recent medical practice as it developed in the Middle East and was used up until the 1800’s even in the UK.

Although a simplified explanation wet cupping can be likened to a mechanical form of leaching allowing small quantities of blood to be released from swollen and painful areas of the body, to give relief, promote healing and to regain function.[17]

How can bleeding possibly be benificial?:

Many conditions and ailments that we suffer with are related to inflammation. This includes all conditions that end with the word ‘it is’ such as arthritis, tendonitis, gastritis, appendicitis etc. The common factor in all these conditions is that there is too much unwanted inflammation in that area. This is why anti-inflammatory medication is regularly prescribed by doctors to try and reduce down the amount of this inflammation.[18] Unwanted inflammation can be simplified as a state in which there is too much blood in an area causing pressure and stagnation preventing the regular flow of nutrient and waste exchange, resulting in pain and compromised natural healing abilities. [9] If left untreated this can develop into a chronic state in which the reduced blood flow allows the buildup of waste, carbon dioxide and acidity, causing further pressure, cell damage, pain, and discomfort leading to more inflammation, perpetuating the problem. Chemical drugs can be used to reduce down pain and dampen down inflammation but cupping therapy has the unique ability of drawing out inflammation, stagnant blood, cell debris and toxins from deep within the body to the surface of the skin.[19] By utilizing wet cupping therapy this built up pressure can be released through tiny pin pricks or light scratches on the skin. This often gives instantaneous relief and allows fresh blood, nutrients and oxygen to penetrate the area breaking the cycle of pain and discomfort. Traditionally it has been understood that wet cupping also allows a process of purifying the blood and removing unwanted materials from the system. Many times there are unwanted or high levels of harmful elements in the blood such as cholesterol, uric acid, calcium deposits, rheumatoid factors and chemical messengers that modulate inflammation. By removing these elements you can reduce the problems that they cause and reduce pain, discomfort and inevitably disease. [5] For this reason wet cupping therapy has been used throughout history to treat a wide range of conditions and even as a preventative medicine. The feeling of wellbeing, looseness in the body and higher levels of energy are common reports of patients undergoing this form of treatment.[20]

What can it help?:

Although there is very little scientific knowledge on the subject there are Scientific Studies that show wet cupping is an effective treatment for Lower Back pain, Anterior knee pain and Migraine headaches. Common uses for Cupping therapy include:

1. Shoulder pains

2. Lower back pain

3. Knee pain and stiffness

4. Various forms of arthritis

5. Adhesive capsulitis (or frozen shoulder)

6. Post surgical swellings and pain (Particularly after fractures and Reconstruction surgeries)

7. Acute ankle sprains and deep foot pain

8. General body tension

9. Hormonal problems / lethargy

10. Menstrual Pain / infertility

11. Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS

12. Lymphedema Muscular injuries

13. Post Trauma Migraines (specifically after Cranial Injury/Surgeries)[21]

Is it safe?:

When practiced in a clean and hygienic environment under the guidance of a qualified health professional both cupping and wet cupping are safe and relatively risk free. [22] A screening of previous medical history and medications is always conducted to ensure that the treatment is suitable for the individual patient. Vital signs such as BLOOD PRESSURE and heart rate are also conducted. [15] In the case of wet cupping all materials used on each patient are single use and disposed of after each treatment eliminating any risks of cross contamination. The small pin pricks or light scratches created to release stagnant blood are so small that they do not release blood after the cups have been removed and are almost always dry by the end of each treatment. [11] The quantity of blood removed is usually of a very minimal amount and this is usually no more than the quantity taken in a routine blood test. As a general precaution however patients iron levels are always taken into consideration.[22]

Does it hurt?:

Although wet cupping does involve small breaks in the surface of the skin that can be slightly uncomfortable the sensation is very short lived and quite minimal. Although subjective it is considered by most as being far less painful than having an injection and more COMPARABLE to having acupuncture.[23]

Does it leave marks?:

Yes both regular and wet cupping can leave round bruise like marks on the surface of the skin that can stay for approximately two weeks but do gradually fade. In wet cupping this is accompanied by the pin marks or scratches that will completely fade within a similar time frame depending on the individual skin type.[24]

Is this a new therapy and why is it not well heard of?:

No the practice of Wet Cupping dates back to as far as history has records. It is one of the oldest time-served medical practices in the world. It was practiced by the Ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Chinese and Greeks, including the great Greek physician Hippocrates. It was also practiced extensively by the Arabs after the Muslim Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) described its divine prescription for mans ailments. Wet cupping has its roots in European history also as it was a fundamental part of Medical practice in the UK and in America up until the 1800’s. [25]

Relational Organs and Possible Diseases:

Cells make up tissues, these perform specific functions work together to form organs, these work together to be organ system. When cell tissues are gathered together it forms an organ and with many organs it forms system and with many system (See Fig.1).It forms an organism. A Cell is a single unit of organism. When many cells form together, tissues are formed, so when loads of tissues come together, organs are formed. And when organs work with other things in our body a system is formed. [26]

Fig.1 Relation between nerves and the organs for it’s functions and relative diseases

Hijamah vs Blood Donation

Table.1. Differences between Hijamah and FASD

Issue of differentiation	Hijamah	Blood Donation (FASD)
1. Point of suction	From underneath the skin	Taken out from the veins
2. Smell	Rancid and rotten with a bad smell	Rarely has a bad odor
3. Color	Reddish brown to black	Reddish
4. Vision	Enhances the vision	Negligible effect on vision
5. Cholesterol	Reduces cholesterol, especially Triglycerides	Negligible effect on Cholesterol
6. Weakness	Induces freshness in the body	Might cause weakness
7. Migraine and Headache	Head’s Hijamah is best for Migraine and headaches	Negligible effect on Migraine / headache
8. Back pain	Reduces and eliminates the back pain	Can’t reduce your back pain
9. Cervical Spondylosis	At posterior jugulars is the cure for Cervical Spondylosis	No effect on cervical problems
10. Sehr, Jinn, Evil Eye	Powerful enough to crush spells of Sehr, Jinn and Evil Eye	Can’t break the spell of Sehr, Jinn or Evil Eye

The difference between Hijamah and FASD (as shown in the Table 1) is the blood itself; FASD (Blood Donation) removes fresh blood from the veins; while Hijamah removes the septic blood from underneath the skin.[2][8]

FASD is helpful for diseases that are cured by extracting out the fresh blood, and those ailments are very few, but Septic blood which is the root cause of many diseases is only drained out by Hijamah. Ibn Al Qayyam wrote that “Cupping extracts the septic blood more efficiently than puncturing the veins”. A surprising fact is that the putrefied Hijamah blood can’t be donated.[27] Hijamah is superior to FASD in many aspects; a comparison of FASD and Hijamah by observation is as above (as shown in the Table 1).

The Effects and Benefits of the Ancient art of Cupping Therapy:

Cupping is an ancient method of causing local congestion, were a vacuum is created with the use of vessels, which are placed on the skin either by means of heat or suction, which then draws up the underlying tissues. When the cups are left in place on the skin for a few minutes, blood stasis is formed and localized healing takes place. Cupping is considered with others to be the oldest natural healing therapies. History tells us about Archaeologists who found evidence of cupping therapy being practiced from as early as 3000 B.C.[28] The earliest record of cupping is around 1,550 B.C. by the Egyptians .This document was called Ebers Papyrus; one of the oldest medical textbooks in the world, which was dated by the material it was written on, called papyrus, this papyrus like paper was prepared in ancient Egypt from the pithy stem of a water plant. The Papyrus like paper was also widely used throughout the ancient Mediterranean world in the writing of important documents. Anthropologists also found evidence in China of cupping dating as far back as 1,000 B.C. The history of Chinese cupping is a long history of healing and innovation. It was an ancient Taoist medical practice was widely used in the courts of Imperial China.[29] Its administration was first documented by Ge Hong, in an ancient article called Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies. Ge Hong was a practicing Taoist, an alchemist, and a medicinal herbalist. He was famous for his accomplished of being a healer and a trusted confidante of many high officials in ancient China.

Ge Hong along with other medicine men used animal horns for cupping. That is why in some medical articles of the empire, cupping was referred to as the horn technique of healing. This led researchers to believe that cupping was indeed a Chinese invention and its practice was older than stated in recorded history. This ancient method has been proven effective against common disorders associated with the pulmonary system. The Chinese expanded the use of the cupping technique to surgery, this was called wet cupping.[31] Other ancient cultures including the Egyptians and early Greeks are all embraced the therapeutic value of cupping. Hippocrates (c. 400 B.C.) used cupping for internal disease and structural problems. Hippocrates was known as the Father of Modern Medicine, during this golden era of the early Greek state Hippocrates and his followers were devoted to an empiric approach to healing and sought naturalistic explanations of why people became ill. The Cupping technique soon spread through the medicine world, throughout Asian and European civilizations. Each country is having their own name for cupping therapy and having their own methods of cupping. Here are some of the names that cupping is referred to in other cultures; [30]

CONCLUSION:

The benefits of cupping therapies are endless due to its stimulating and the strengthening effects. Although cupping is brilliant treatments in it there are some diseases that cupping therapy can not treat,
Congenital (present at birth) and genetic diseases like down syndrome, cerebral palsy, cleft lip, hole-in-heart, congenital dislocation of the hip, Trauma and accidents, broken bones and joints, open wound, torn muscles, tissue and organ damage, internal bleeding, and excessive bleeding. However Cupping Therapy can promote quicker recovery and better healing of these conditions due to improvement of the blood circulation.
Although cupping therapy can treat everybody, there are some exceptions, Children below 10 years old, adults above 70 years old with heart problems, pregnant women, patients recovering from surgery, weak and thin people suffering from lack of blood. And people with threatening conditions, heart attack, asthmatic attack, trauma and accidents. Although the use of Cupping has remained popular throughout many cultures who kept to their traditional ways, the 20th century witnessed a widespread decrease in many Anglo-Saxon societies. Even the North American Indians who used Buffalo Horn, seashells, gourds and bones for Cupping, but their culture have been decimated and the people herded into reservations, their traditions of health maintenance and healing were also lost.

Fig.2. Various types of cups used in various ages of time

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Received on 01.07.2016 Accepted on 19.07.2016

Asian J. Pharm. Res. 2016; 6(4): 225-230.

DOI: 10.5958/2231-5691.2016.00031.9