Comparison of Safety and Efficacy of Al-Hijama (Cupping) and Conventional Medical Therapy for Sinusitis (I)

Abstract

The study aims to evaluate safety and efficacy of Al-Hijama (wet-cupping) either as an adjuvant or an alternative to conventional medication therapy among adult patients with sinusitis. A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted at Prophetic Medicine Research Cupping Clinic, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah Saudi Arabia. The study used a simple randomization technique. Sixty (60) patients of chronic or recurrent acute sinusitis were divided equally into 3 groups. The first group had Hijama with drug therapy, second had Hijama plus salt nasal solution and mild analgesic if needed, and the third was treated with ordinary medicine regularly. The effect of Al-Hijama on sinusitis symptoms, use of medications, were studied. The results showed that both alternative and adjuvant Al-Hijama therapies were superior to conventional therapy with regard to the reduction of symptom frequency, severity, duration and use of medication. Al-Hijama therapy was effective, simple, affordable, acceptable, and safe when used correctly. It is expected that all patients with sinusitis would benefit from Al-Hijama.