What is Hijama (wet cupping)?
Hijama is a traditional practice in which the practitioner places suction cups on the skin, makes small superficial incisions, then re-applies suction to draw out a small amount of blood. It's a centuries-old practice that holds deep significance in Islamic and Middle Eastern medical traditions and has growing interest in modern musculoskeletal care as a complement to physiotherapy.
For our Muslim patients, we honour the religious and cultural context Hijama is performed in. For all patients, we treat it as a clinical intervention with the same rigour we apply to any other technique — properly indicated, properly performed, properly aftercared.
Hijama vs dry cupping — what's the difference?
Dry cupping uses suction only. Glass or silicone cups create a vacuum on the skin, which lifts the underlying fascia and soft tissue. Used for myofascial release, trigger points and chronic muscle tightness. No incisions, no blood.
Wet cupping (Hijama) involves the same suction with the addition of small, controlled superficial incisions made between the first and second suction phases. A small amount of blood is drawn into the cup. Used by some patients as part of their broader wellness practice or as adjunct treatment for chronic pain conditions.
We offer both. Which one's right for you depends on your goals, your history and what we find on assessment. We'll talk through it before any cups go on.
Why have your Hijama done at a physio clinic?
- Clinical setting. Single-use sterile equipment. Treatment room cleaned between every patient. Proper waste disposal.
- Trained practitioners. Our physios have specific training in Hijama and have performed hundreds of sessions. The technique matters — incision depth, cup placement, and aftercare protocol all affect outcomes.
- Musculoskeletal context. If you're booking Hijama because your shoulders are tight or your back's been giving you grief, we can assess whether there's an underlying issue worth addressing alongside the cupping.
- HICAPS where applicable. Dry cupping forms part of a physiotherapy session and is claimable through private health insurance.
- Respectful, private, culturally aware. Bilingual practitioners (Arabic / Urdu / English). Female practitioner availability on request. Comfortable, modest treatment environment.
What to expect from a session
1. Consultation (15-20 minutes)
If it's your first session, we talk through your history, goals and any health conditions that affect the safety of cupping. Bleeding disorders, blood-thinners, recent surgery, pregnancy and a few other factors require special consideration — we'll cover all that.
2. The session (30-45 minutes)
For Hijama: skin is cleaned, cups placed for 3-5 minutes of dry suction to bring blood to the area, then removed, small incisions made, cups re-applied with suction for another 5-10 minutes. For dry cupping: cups placed with suction and either left static or moved (gliding cupping) across the muscle, depending on technique chosen.
3. Aftercare
Cups leave temporary circular marks that fade over 3-10 days. We'll talk you through what's normal, what's not, and how to care for the small Hijama incision sites (kept clean and dry for 24 hours, then normal washing). We send written aftercare instructions to your phone.
Cupping isn't magic, and we don't pretend it is. Done well, it's a useful tool. Done poorly, it leaves marks and not much else. We take the technique seriously.
Common reasons patients book in
- Chronic upper back, neck and shoulder tension — desk workers, drivers, parents
- Lower back tightness, especially in lifters and runners
- As part of religious practice (sunnah Hijama) on specific days of the lunar month
- Tight calves, ITB and hamstrings in runners and athletes
- Headaches and migraines linked to neck/upper trap tension
- General wellness and recovery sessions
Who shouldn't have Hijama or cupping?
We'll always assess for these on intake, but as a general guide we don't perform Hijama on patients with bleeding disorders, those on blood-thinning medications, people with active skin conditions over the planned cupping area, pregnant women in early pregnancy, or anyone with severely uncontrolled blood pressure or unstable cardiac conditions. For dry cupping the contraindications are narrower. If you're unsure, give us a call before booking and we'll talk it through.
Booking your session in Liverpool
Hijama and cupping sessions are bookable online via HaltH. We see patients from Liverpool, Casula, Moorebank, Chipping Norton, Cabramatta, Lurnea and across South-West Sydney. Sunnah-day appointments (17th, 19th and 21st of the lunar month) tend to book out fast — get in early if those days matter to you.