It is necessary to do proper care after the treatment of Hijama Cupping Therapy.
Hijama Cupping Therapy is an alternative medical treatment for several health disorders that emphasizes the healing of the body, mind and soul. Hijama Cupping not only reduces the pain but it heals the body on a cellular level.
Proper aftercare is very important to get maximum benefits from cupping. Some of the instructions are as under:
1- Drink Honey Water
It is highly recommended to drink honey water right after the treatment of Hijama Cupping therapy. Our Holy Prophet used to drink honey mixed with water with an empty stomach. Honey water has tremendous benefits as it helps to reduce bloating, improves digestion, boosts immunity, helps with a slow metabolism and much much more.
When we perform Hijama our body becomes weak so to boost energy it is important to drink a natural energy booster which is honey water.
Drinking honey water with an empty stomach dissolves phlegm, cleanses the stomach and wash away the waste matter. Drinking honey water is not only refreshing and energizing but also a great method of preserving health.
2- Eat Dates
It is highly recommended to eat dates right after you finish drinking honey water after the session of Hijama.
Dates are the fruit of our Beloved Prophet and it is mentioned in the Qur’an 22 times. The Prophet (PBUH) enjoyed eating dates and also knew their benefits so He encouraged other Muslims to do the same.
Our Beloved Prophet (PBUH) said, “He who eats seven Ajwa dates every morning, will not be affected by poison or magic on the date he eats them.” [Bukhari].
Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Indeed in dates, there is a cure”.
Dates contain a high amount of protein, fibre, vitamins, iron and natural sugar. Dates have exceptional nutritional value that helps to boost the energy that must have been forfeited during the session of Hijama cupping therapy. That is the reason eating dates are recommended after the session of cupping.
3- Take Some Rest
It is very necessary to take some rest after the session of Hijama at least, over the next 24 hours. Some individuals feel instant energy after the session but most people feel tired, exhausted and sleepy. Some people experience flu-like symptoms, some feel headaches, body aches, fatigue or dizziness. These symptoms are temporary reactions by an individual’s immune system to the cellular waste that the suction of the cupping therapy encourages to release. These kinds of symptoms are completely normal. Practitioners specifically advise clients to take some rest because after the session there is so much going on inside the body which is exhausting so, taking rest makes the process easy for an individual.
It is not recommended to fall asleep instantly after the session of cupping therapy because newly dislodged toxic blood cells may result in clotting. It is best to sleep at least three to four hours of the session. Some practitioners advise taking a 15 to 20-minute walk after the session for best results. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded then don’t walk just sit down or lie down to take some rest.
Another reason behind taking rest after the session is that the heart needs enough time to pump out good blood that is substituted for all the bad blood that is removed. This means that the heart needs time to produce and replace the lost blood so it is necessary to take a rest to make this happen.
4- Avoid Physical Activities
Walking after the session of Hijama is allowed in fact, it helps to speed up the detoxification process. But intense physical activities like extreme exercises, jumping, cycling, running or yoga should be avoided for at least 24 hours.
Swimming, especially in pools, is not recommended after cupping. The water of pools contains large concentrations of chlorine, which is toxic to the skin. Chlorine can accumulate in your skin through the incisions causing extreme inflammatory conditions that feel like a sunburn.
Sunbath, steam bath, sunburn or tanning should also be avoided after and before a week of the session. Skin becomes very sensitive after the session of cupping and sun or steam induces further damage to the vulnerable skin. Hot saunas or steam rooms can cause inflammation to the skin.
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the outer layer of the skin. It is beneficial for the removal of dead skin cells which makes your skin extra sensitive for Hijama cupping therapy. Exfoliation increases blood circulation and brightens the appearance of the skin. It is highly recommended to wait for a couple of days after the exfoliation treatment before or after receiving the treatment of cupping.
Avoid marital relations for 24 hours after the session of Hijama.
5- Hydrate yourself
Drinking plenty of water after and before the session of Hijama is very important. Water helps to detoxify the body and removes unwanted toxins. It is recommended to drink plenty of water throughout the whole day. If the body is dehydrated for a long time then the cleansing process doesn’t work properly.
Water is like a secret helper with cupping therapy which flushes out all the toxins and stagnations. Water is essential not only for the skin but for overall health as well. The lymphatic system clears away all the cellular waste from our bodies. Cupping supports our lymphatic system. The lymphatic system needs plenty of water to flush the cellular waste that cupping helps release from our tissues.
6- No Animal Food or Dairy After Hijama
Twenty-four hours after and before Hijama animal food should not be eaten. Animal foods especially red meat contain a large amount of protein which makes the blood thicker. Thick blood makes blood clots and sometimes causes problems in the process of cupping therapy. The same procedure goes for dairy products. Most dairy products have a huge amount of proteins in them. Omega-3-rich foods should also be avoided for at least 24 hours.
Sometimes, if you take animal or dairy products by mistake then no need to worry. You can take a tablespoon of olive oil and vinegar mixture to avoid the effects of the animal or dairy food. The mixture neutralizes the effects on the body.
7- No Shower
After the session of cupping your practitioner will specifically advise you to avoid taking a shower for at least 12 to 16 hours. The treated areas of your body have become extra sensitive after the treatment so the best thing is to give your skin some time to recover.
This instruction should be strictly followed because suction and incisions open the pores of the skin. That makes the skin very vulnerable. Taking a hot bath in this condition can cause inflammation and damage to the skin. If you want to take a shower with cold water then you can easily catch a cold because your pores are open.
Some people may experience Hematoma, a medical term for bruising. So showering after bruising is not a good idea.
Therefore, immediate baths after cupping should be avoided for at least 12 to 16 hours.
8- Balanced Diet (Avoid Junk)
After Hijama the appetite may increase a little which is fine and normal. But it is highly recommended to spend the day with light food as much as possible. Balanced food is essential for the recovery of the muscles. Stuffing too much food in your tummy can slow down the cleaning process in your body. Dairy products, sugary foods or drinks, processed foods or high-fat meals require a huge amount of energy for digestion. This energy should be used for the cleaning process of the body not to digest the food in the stomach.
9- Marks On The Skin
After cupping your skin will have circular marks on the targetted area. The colour range of the marks could be from light pink to dark purplish blue. Discoloration from cupping fades away in a few hours and sometimes in a few days depending upon the skin type. Hydration and resting are important to get rid of red marks soon. Olive oil, black seed oil or coconut oil can also be used on the cupped area to make the marks fade away soon. Massaging with oil can speed up the healing process and soothe any irritation or itching an individual can experience. Scratching the cupped area is not a good option instead use oil or any cream.
10- Cover yourself
It is very important to cover yourself after the session of Hijama cupping therapy because pores of the skin open after the incisions. So, covering your body is essential to keep yourself warm. Cold can enter inside your body through open pores and you can catch a cold.
To wrap up, it is very essential to get proper information about anything before experiencing it so, that you can make the most out of it. For the next few days, an individual may notice changes in bowel movement or urinary habits, sleeping patterns, mood swings, emotional disturbance, tiredness, feeling low or weak or fatigued. There is nothing to worry about because all these symptoms are normal. Your body is dealing with physical, emotional and spiritual change so, by the passage of hours, everything will get back to its normal state. You will feel more energetic and healthy. In Sha Allah.
