Hijama therapy in Bangladesh

Hijama’ is derived from the word ‘hijama’ which means ‘sucking’. Cupping or Hijama is the process of applying cups at various points on the body to create a vacuum and then to suck the impure or harmful blood through the slightly incised skin surface. There are various, specific points on the body for cupping where the skin is pierced and then cups are applied to collect blood.

Hijama therapy is effective in treating many conditions including digestive problems, joint and muscle pain, asthma, sciatica, fever, skin problems, low fertility and so on. It improves blood circulation, reduces accumulation of blood and lymph, and maintains a balance of the body’s systems.

Being a health manager, I was intrigued to explore the underlying reasons behind the success of this ancient art of Hijama also known as ‘cupping therapy’. I also wanted to know why it seems to have been forgotten despite its miraculous therapeutic effects.

Hijama therapy in Bangladesh

Moreover, I asked the general public about their knowledge of Hijama – many knew of it as a Sunnah, a few claimed it to be a new therapy still being introduced and a few did not know about it at all. This made me realise that there is a niche that still needs to be enlightened.

My research led me to meet a few people who had undergone this therapy and were hence, miraculously relieved from their illnesses. This made me wonder about the psychological impact this therapy has on patients who got instant relief from their pain. Were they satisfied because it is well endorsed? Or perhaps because it was a new procedure?

While interviewing a colleague who had undergone Hijama therapy and who is a doctor himself, I came to know that he ‘felt better’ just after a single visit to the therapist, which further added to my suspicion about the psychological effectiveness of Hijama therapy.

Due to the shift in the paradigm of health awareness, patients are now becoming decision makers of their own treatment and disease perception.

Hijama therapy in Bangladesh