A complete guide to Hijama
Clear, balanced information about dry and wet cupping, possible benefits, limitations, safety, preparation and aftercare.
This guide does not diagnose illness, promise an outcome or replace advice from a GP, pharmacist or other qualified healthcare professional. Tell your practitioner about relevant health conditions and medicines before treatment.
What is Hijama?
Hijama is the Arabic term commonly used for wet cupping. Cupping is a traditional practice found in several cultures, including Middle Eastern and East Asian traditions. A cup is placed on the skin and suction creates negative pressure. In dry cupping, the skin is not pierced. In wet cupping, the cup is removed after initial suction, very small superficial incisions are made, and suction is applied again so that a limited amount of blood enters the cup.
Modern professional presentation should combine respect for this traditional practice with careful hygiene, clear consent, appropriate screening and honest discussion of the limits of current research.
Dry cupping
Suction is applied without breaking the skin. Cups may stay in one position or be moved using an appropriate medium.
Wet cupping
After initial suction, small superficial incisions are made using hygienic single-use equipment before a second application.
Consultation-led care
The type, location and length of a session should be discussed beforehand. A practitioner may postpone or decline treatment when it is not appropriate.
Why do people choose cupping?
Some people choose cupping because it is part of their cultural or faith-informed wellness tradition. Others are interested in relaxation, temporary muscular comfort or a complementary approach to general wellbeing. Research has explored cupping for some pain-related conditions, but much of the evidence is low quality, varies between studies and does not support guaranteed results. Cupping should be considered complementary rather than a replacement for appropriate medical assessment or treatment.
Why a suitable client may consider it
- A personally meaningful traditional wellness practice.
- A calm, structured appointment with time for relaxation.
- Some studies report short-term changes in pain or function, although certainty remains limited.
- Dry cupping does not involve skin incisions.
- The approach can be discussed and adapted within safe professional limits.
What should be considered
- Temporary circular marks, tenderness or skin discolouration are common.
- Possible adverse effects include bruising, burns, scarring, dizziness, infection or worsening of eczema or psoriasis.
- Wet cupping involves blood and therefore requires especially careful infection-control procedures.
- Repeated wet cupping may contribute to anaemia in rare cases.
- Benefits are not guaranteed and high-quality evidence is limited for many claimed uses.
Who may consider cupping?
Cupping may be considered by a generally well adult who understands what the session involves, can give informed consent and has no identified contraindication. It may appeal to someone who wishes to include a traditional complementary practice in a broader wellness routine. Suitability is individual: being interested in cupping does not automatically mean that wet or dry cupping is appropriate.
Who should avoid it or seek medical advice first?
Do not book cupping as a substitute for urgent or necessary medical care. Ask a GP or relevant healthcare professional before cupping—and tell the clinic in advance—if any of the following may apply:
A bleeding disorder, very low platelets, unexplained bleeding, anaemia, or medicine that affects clotting such as anticoagulants or antiplatelets.
Open wounds, burns, active infection, inflamed or fragile skin, active eczema or psoriasis at the proposed site, or a fever/systemic illness.
Reduced immunity, poor wound healing, uncontrolled diabetes or another condition that increases infection or healing risk.
Pregnant clients should obtain appropriate medical advice and must tell the practitioner. Some areas and techniques should be avoided.
Children, frail older adults and people unable to give informed consent require special consideration; the clinic may not offer treatment.
Chest pain, breathing difficulty, severe headache, neurological symptoms, severe infection, unexplained weight loss or persistent/worsening pain need medical assessment rather than cupping.
This list is not exhaustive. A practitioner should never advise you to stop prescribed medicine or ignore medical advice.
What happens during an appointment?
- Conversation and consentThe practitioner discusses the requested service, relevant history, what you may feel, expected marks, possible risks and aftercare. You can ask questions or change your mind.
- PreparationThe selected area is exposed appropriately and prepared. Equipment and the treatment environment should follow suitable hygiene procedures.
- Cup applicationSuction is created using the selected cups. A pulling or tight sensation may be felt, but you should tell the practitioner if you are uncomfortable.
- Wet cupping, when chosenThe practitioner follows the agreed superficial-incision process using single-use sterile items and appropriate blood-contact precautions.
- Completion and aftercareThe area is cleaned and, where appropriate, covered. You receive clear aftercare guidance and information about when to seek help.
How to prepare
- Read the clinic’s preparation and consent information before attending.
- Do not stop medicines or alter a medical treatment plan unless your prescriber tells you to.
- Tell the clinic about allergies, medicines, pregnancy, skin problems, fainting history, bleeding concerns and relevant diagnoses.
- Wear comfortable clothing that allows appropriate access to the planned area.
- Follow the clinic’s guidance on food, hydration, exercise and arrival time rather than relying on unverified online advice.
- If you feel acutely unwell, contact the clinic before travelling.
Aftercare and normal responses
Temporary circular marks, mild tenderness and colour changes may occur. Follow the exact aftercare instructions provided for your session. Keep any wet-cupping sites appropriately clean and avoid picking or scratching them. Contact the clinic if you are unsure about healing.
Seek prompt medical advice for increasing redness or swelling, spreading warmth, pus, fever, severe or worsening pain, persistent bleeding, fainting, breathing difficulty or another concerning reaction.
Hygiene standards that matter
Because wet cupping involves blood, single-use sterile blades and other appropriate disposables are important. Reusable cups and surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected or sterilised as appropriate, with careful hand hygiene, protective equipment, sharps disposal and clinical-waste handling. Equipment contaminated with blood must never be casually reused between clients.
What the evidence says
Cupping has been researched for pain and other conditions, but study quality is often low and results are difficult to compare because techniques, treatment schedules and control groups differ. Some reviews report possible short-term pain-related benefits, while comparisons with sham or other active treatment are less certain. There is not enough strong evidence to say that cupping cures diseases or reliably treats a wide range of medical conditions.
Ariana Hijama does not describe cupping as a guaranteed cure. Clients should continue appropriate medical care, seek assessment for new or worsening symptoms, and make an informed personal choice about complementary wellness practices.