Hijama Blog

A good digestion supports the immune system, helps the body maintain a healthy weight through regulation of the metabolism and neutralizes irritants or allergens that enter through the consumption of food.  The digestive system is also linked to the brain. Hence, the digestive system plays an important role in regulating our mental health too. 

Let us understand the digestive system in 2 broad stages:

1. The digestive system converts the food we eat into the nutrients that are essential for energy, growth and cellular repair, and protection against diseases.
2. The food that we eat through the mouth, chew and swallow gets carried to the oesophagus, stomach, intestines and then colon, rectum and anus through a wave like contraction and relaxation of muscles. This wave like muscle contractions help the food to reach to different organs of the digestive tract. This whole process is known as peristalsis.

Poor gastro-intestinal functioning which means when peristaltic function is not ideal, a mass of gut-related issues like cramps, poor digestion, bloating, acid reflux, GERD, diarrhoea, constipation, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis can be caused.

Any pathology in the digestive tract can be caused due to few factors such as:

• Underlying disease or disorders
• Poor digestion
• Food that does not suit the body or food that is acidic or oily that can cause imbalance of the digestive system
• Emotional stress like anxiety, mood disorders or depression.
• Other environmental factors such as weather changes, winters.

Hijama works wonders on stomach and digestive system overall. Clients come with issues of heart burn, gastritis even constipation to our hospital.

Procedure for Hijama on Belly:

At HijamaLife, cupping is done with glass cups or sterile cups. Initially dry cupping is done to create a negative pressure and increase the flow of gastric and pancreatic juices. In the next session a fire cupping is preferred where cups are heated, and vacuum is created by putting cotton soaked in alcohol on fire. The more the fire burns the more vacuum is created.

Cups are put on the belly button or on the navel area. The cups stay suctioned from 5 to 15 mins.

It is always preferred that the client and the therapist have a conversation about the procedure that will be done. Lady therapists are always available for female clients at HijamaLife and they can confide on the therapist about the issues and will also be directed about the treatment procedure.

Special herbal oils are applied in some cases so that the cups can be moved around the navel area while the therapy is going on.

Benefits of Hijama:

Hijama on the digestive system helps in breaking down fatty deposits, relaxing the nervous system, clearing emotional barriers, clearing blocked colon, as well as promoting digestion.

The principle behind cupping is that the suction created by the glass jars dispel stagnated blood and releases your internal heat and improves qi flow, which is credited to control your overall health. This theory or principle of healing also supports the Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Increased blood flow also improves the lymphatic drainage which is crucial in healing and repairing.

The fresh blood flow to the area cupped, brings about, increased platelets and growth factors needed for stimulation and healing of the organs. Ultimately, it improves peristalsis and secretion of digestive juices. Hence a good digestion will provide relief to anxiety and stress as well.

Precautions:

• Care and precautions must be taken and few aspects to be considered while Hijama is performed on stomach or the digestive system.
• Pregnant women and women trying to get pregnant should avoid taking Hijama.
• With underlying conditions such as cystic fibrosis or POCD, or cancer of stomach, the team at HijamaLife take utmost care while performing Hijama or avoid giving therapy at all.
• Suction caused by the cups carries blood to the surface of the skin, increasing the risk of blood clots. Walking or movement after the treatment reduces the chance of blood clots.
• Clients with other blood disorders should let the therapist know as well as be careful while taking Hijama. Hence our team does all the blood work necessary before starting the treatment.

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger صلاللهعليهوسلم said, “If there was something excellent to be used as a remedy then it is cupping (hijama).” [Sunan Abu Dawud, Sunan Ibn Majah]