What should you know about hijama massage?

Hijama is another name used for cupping therapy. A practitioner places cups on selected skin areas to create suction; in a massage-style session, a cup may be moved across lubricated skin. Dry cupping leaves the skin intact. Wet cupping adds small skin openings so blood enters the cup, which changes the hygiene and bleeding considerations.

Temporary circular marks, tenderness, tightness, or mild skin irritation can occur after suction. These effects should be discussed before treatment, especially when the target area is near an injured joint, a rash, broken skin, or an area with reduced sensation. Cupping should complement an assessment of the cause of pain rather than replace one.

Tell the practitioner about medicines that affect bleeding, a bleeding disorder, diabetes, pregnancy, allergies, skin disease, recent surgery, or a weakened immune system. Ask whether the session is dry or wet, which body area will be treated, and how equipment and skin will be cleaned. Do not allow treatment over infected, inflamed, or open skin.

Afterward, keep any treated area clean and follow the practitioner’s dressing advice if the skin was opened. Avoid rubbing or scratching the marks, and monitor for increasing warmth, swelling, drainage, or worsening pain. For back symptoms, an assessment may also clarify whether your concern fits [Back Muscle Spasm](/symptoms/back-muscle-spasm/) or [Upper Back Pain](/symptoms/upper-back-pain/).

Seek prompt medical advice for bleeding that does not settle with gentle pressure, spreading redness, pus, fever, severe swelling, or pain that is rapidly worsening. Get urgent help for fainting, trouble breathing, new weakness, or new loss of bladder or bowel control. These symptoms need medical assessment rather than another cupping session.

Ask what problem the treatment is intended to address, whether dry or wet cupping is being proposed, how the skin will be protected, and what other treatments may help the underlying pain. Confirm when to stop or postpone treatment if your medicines or health conditions change.