Cupping Therapy’ gains popularity among NRIs

What is Cupping Therapy?

It is performed by applying a partial vacuum created in cup or cups on the skin by means of heat or suction. This draws up the underlying tissues. When left for few minutes, blood statis is formed and localized heating takes place.

According to doctors, it affects the body up to four inches into the tissues, causing tissues to release toxins and activate the lymphatic system. It also clears colon blockages, help activate and clear the veins arteries and capillaries.

Following the Chinese scientific advancements in ‘Cupping therapy, the ancient therapy known as ‘Hijama’ in Arabic where half of the clients comprise of NRIs based in Gulf countries is gaining credence in parts of the city.

Most of the NRIs with chronic problems are finding the therapy effective and having soothing effect on the body, during their holidaying in India. Most of the cases are related to backache, but doctors claim to have got positive results in controlling Blood Pressure, Thyroid, skill diseases especially psoriasis, apart from arthritis, spondylitis and other diseases.

Obesity, Liver Diseases, Renal Calculi, Female Diseases, Sciatica, Varicose Veins, Brain Tumor and Paralysis are some of the diseases curable through this therapy. With success percentage comparatively more than acupuncture and acupressure, the doctors are expecting a bright future for therapy.

Md Mazher Hussain, Eriksson group in KSA says, “I have heard about the therapy four years back, but after considering all kinds of treatment I have decided to undergo this treatment for my backache problem.”

As per the experts this unconventional therapy, which combines acupressure and acupuncture is used for curing all kinds of diseases, which are chronic and regular in nature.

Even though known to the world as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), several Unani doctors in Hyderabad, claim this to be science from West Asia. This is one the reasons that most of these ‘Cupping Therapy’ centers are located in Medipatnam and surrounding areas.

Each session stretches to an average of four weeks, with four sittings, each per week. The private clinics are charging per session between Rs 2000 and 2600. Some doctors like Dr Musab Hashmi, who had recently developed love for this therapy is following lunar calender, by arranging special camps for patients.

“As it is mentioned in some hadiths (sayings of prophet), there are few important dates on which this could be done. Interestingly I am getting good results, when I perform Hijama on these days”, says the doctor, whose wife also practices the same on women.

“The Cupping Therapy is part of the major branch known as ‘Regimental Therapy’ being taught in Unani Medicine. Dr Md Ahsan Farooqui, Assistant Professor, P G Department of Medicine, Government Unani College was the first documented person to perform Hijama in India. With the intention of reviving the therapy in India, I performed the first trial in 2008,” says the doctor.

By Md Nizamuddin