Dry and massage hijama (cupping)

The dry and massage hijama (cupping) cups are to be kept and re-used but not shared by patients. The cups are not to be shared as these have direct contact with the skin. However, the suction pump may be shared as they do not have direct contact with the skin. Each patient should have their own dry and massage hijama (cupping) cups which should be clearly labeled with their name or initials. Alternatively, if more than one patient shares a cup. Each cup must be clearly labeled with patients name or initials.

Wet hijama (cupping)

For wet hijama (cupping) the pumps are to be kept and re-used but not shared by patients. However, they must not become contaminated with blood. The areas which may become contaminated with blood are inside the white rubber and the suction pump. If the pump becomes contaminated with blood, then it must be safely disposed of and replaced.

For wet hijama (cupping) the plastic cups must be safely disposed of at the end of each session. They must never be re-used even for the same patient. The only way to 100% sterilize cups is by boiling them. However, plastic cups must not be boiled as they will melt and release toxins.

Contagious, blood diseases may take up to 10 years to develop and therefore the highest level of health and hygiene must always be maintained.

Hijama (cupping) therapists are entrusted with protecting:

• The sunnah of hijama (cupping) – Hijama (cupping) is currently being practiced in the India but poor levels of health and hygiene are used, it can easily be made illegal as it has done so in other countries
• The patient – High levels of health and hygiene must always be used to ensure no harm comes to the patient, e.g. by not re-using cups, blades, disposable materials etc.
• yourself (the therapist) – High levels of health and hygiene must always be used to ensure no harm comes to yourself, e.g.by wearing 2 pairs of medical, latex, powder-free, gloves etc.
• Others – levels of health and hygiene must always be used to ensure no harm comes to anybody, e.g. ensuring that all blades are always placed in a sharps box and incinerated. Likewise, all contaminated, disposable material e.g. cups, tissues, blood, gloves, face masks, aprons etc, are always placed in clinical waste bags and incinerated.

For incineration services, contact your local council, local clinics/hospitals, chemist or private incineration businesses. Blades and contaminated material etc MUST NEVER be disposed of in normal, household rubbish bins.