Ḥijāmah (Cupping Therapy): Special Reference to Neuromuscular Disorders

Abstract

The use of Ḥijāmah dates back to 3500 BC in Egypt, with records in Ebers Papyrus. But in the last two decades, Ḥijāmah is gaining its due acceptance in the management of different neuromuscular and pain disorders. For sciatica, Ḥijāmah is advised over the sciatic nerve. Ḥijāmah with 2 cups (over the gluteal area and thigh/ over calf muscle and below the ankle), with 5 cups and even with 9 cups may be done in patients of sciatica. These different settings/ protocols of Ḥijāmah in patients with sciatica show a significant reduction in pain and disability. Ḥijāmah for lower back pain is indicated on acupuncture points BL23, BL24, and BL25 by application of 2 cups on each site, either simultaneously or in a phased manner (in 3 sittings on weekly basis; cupping at one site at once, followed by next point in the next week). According to the Persian traditional method, Ḥijāmah between the scapula (on day 0), then at the sacrum (on day 3) and over the calf muscle (on day 6) gives good results in lower back pain. Ḥijāmah (wet cupping) over the painful area of the neck with multiple cups (2-6) in a single sitting is the preferred method for non-specific neck pain. Even Ḥijāmah without scarification (Ḥijāmahbila Sharṭ) has a short-term effect in all such conditions, but Ḥijāmah (wet cupping) gives spontaneous as well as long-term benefits in almost all neuromuscular and other pain disorders. Therefore, Ḥijāmah comes as a better alternative with minimally invasive procedures for most neuromuscular disorders.