The underpinning aim is that of maintaining balance within the body’s systems in order to prevent ill health from occurring. This is done by bringing about a balanced flow of the body's energy, known as Chi, which flows around the body in pathways known as Meridians.
It is believed that all illness that manifests in the body is the result of an imbalance of this energy. By stimulating specific points along these Meridian pathways it is possible to influence the flow of Chi.
The effects of this include, dispersing stagnant accumulations of Chi and strengthening, or tonifying, areas of weak Chi, thereby restoring, and maintaining the body's natural state.
The Prophet (saw) enhanced this practice by prescribing specific times at which to perform hijama therapy in order to derive the most benefit and by stipulating the preferred areas of the body to perform hijama to facilitate and promote good health and wellbeing as a preventative measure against the onset of ill health.
Receiving between two and four Hijama Therapy treatments per year can help to provide an effective approach to preventing illness by promoting the natural balance of the body’s systems by facilitating the production of hormones, improving circulation, reducing the accumulation of stagnated blood and lymph and encouraging the body’s own release of toxins.
Hijama Therapy is also effective in treating many conditions including digestive problems, joint conditions, muscle pain, asthma, sciatica, fever, skin conditions, low fertility, fatigue and injuries.
It is recommended that Hijama be practised on the ‘odd’ days of the Lunar Calendar. Further to this, the specifically prescribed days are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
The optimum Sunnah days to perform Hijama Therapy are the 17th, 19th and 21st days of the Lunar Calendar providing these days coincide with Monday, Tuesday or Thursday.
The Prophet (saw) advised against practicing Hijama on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and very strongly advised against practicing Hijama on Wednesdays.
Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger (saw) said, "Hijama on an empty stomach is best. In it is a cure and a blessing. It improves the intellect and the memory. So use Hijama with the blessing of Allah on Thursday. Keep away from Hijama on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to be safe. Perform hijama on Monday and Tuesday for it is the day that Allah saved Ayub from the trial. He was inflicted with the trial on Wednesday. You will not find leprosy except (by having Hijama) on Wednesday or Wednesday night." (Sahih Sunan Ibn Maajah 3487).
Firstly we apply a moderate amount of oil to the relevant area. We use black seed oil or olive oil. This helps to prepare the skin thereby increasing comfort once the cup is applied.
It improves the seal between the mouth of the cup and the skin and in the case of massage Hijama it also provides the necessary lubrication to allow the cup to move smoothly and freely over the skin.
We begin every treatment by applying a cup, or several cups, to the appropriate points using a moderate suction. We use hand-held, manual pumps for this purpose as we believe it is by far the most accurate method of ensuring the correct pressure within the cup.
These cups will remain in place for several minutes. In the case of Dry Hijama the cups would then be removed and replaced, adjusting the suction accordingly for the main treatment. They would then remain in place for between 5 and 20 minutes accordingly.
In the case of Massage Hijama, one or more cups would be used to manipulate the skin and underlying tissues. A Sunnah Hijama Treatment also involves the release of stagnant subcutaneous blood from the point(s) being treated.
This is done by making very fine scratches on the skin's surface thereby allowing a small amount of blood to come through the skin.
Once these scratches have been made the cups are then replaced and left in place for up to 20 minutes depending on the aim and nature of the treatment. The cups are finally removed and the area cleaned. Your treatment is complete. (healthandhijama)
