A Hijama experience from Malaysia

A Hijama experience from Malaysia by Normawati Non

This is a guest-post in the form of a written interview with Normawati Non, a female hijama patient about her experience of hijama therapy in Selangor, Malaysia.


- What condition did you suffer from (if any)?
I used to suffer from severe headache, fatigueness, and once in a while sleeping disorder.

- Where do you live and where did you go for the hijama therapy?
I live in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor (about 30++km away from Kuala Lumpur). My close neighbour introduced me the hijama therapist who is willing to come all the way from Negeri Sembilan (which is over 80km away from my house) to perform the blood cupping process at the comfort of my living room. He is a very kind person.

- What other treatment did you try before trying hijama therapy?
As usual, the prescribed medicines from the doctor. At times, based on recommendations from friends, I also tried some herbs preparation. Results: Both modern and traditional remedies help only as long as you continue taking them. Once you stop, the problems come again. It's like taking pain killer regularly, which is not good for long term.

- What did the treatment involve and how long did it take?
There were three sessions altogether: The first session involved a 'current massage' to test the flex responses of the muscles in order to detect problematic area, when electric current flows into the body. Just a small amount of electricity is used and it is safe. Massage here is more like touching the surface of the skin and where necessary, some light squeezings at the hands, legs, neck and shoulders, heels, waist and back and all the related joints. I was surprised to see some muscles not giving appropriate responds (the therapist termed this as "sleeping muscles").

Second session in the blood cupping process. Once the therapist had identified areas to work on, he determined the number of cups required and where it should be located on the body. I have one cup at the back of my head, one at each side of the neck, five across the shoulder blades, one at each arm, and several others scattered at the back and both legs. The cups were replaced with new ones when bloods have filled in about a quarter of the cup.

Finally, when no more blood sucked into the cups, the therapist started again on the current massage. This time, the sleeping muscles responded accordingly when squeezed, which means the problematic areas have been successfully attended to. Alhamdulillah.

The whole processes took about 3 hours to complete.

- How did you feel immediately after the treatment?
I feel light-headed, and somehow refreshing, just like the feeling when you wake up in the morning after a beautiful uninterrupted sleep. The current massage really helped. Alhamdulillah.

- What was the result of the treatment, did you notice anything different straight after or some days after the treatment?
Alhamdulillah, to this day when I am sharing this experience with all, I have not yet had any severe headache like I used to. I realised that this development turned me a much happier person, more energy and ideas, less fatigue, so less mood swings as well! Alhamdulillah!

- What was your overall impression of the therapist and his practice? Did you feel safe at all times and was his equipment and procedures all hygienic / disposable?
I was, at the beginning, a bit curious with the current massage. I was worried the practice could be dangerous and harmful. But the therapist gave some assuring words that he has been practicing the massage for more than ten years now and that so far no unwanted event occured. Other than that, I was excited to try the blood cupping. Yes, I do feel safe at all times during cupping. I am very satisfied with the cleanliness of the equipment and procedures.

- How did the therapist get to learn hijama therapy (was it a course he attended or was it something handed down from generation to generation in their family)?
The knowledge was passed down to him, from his father and grandfather. He has been practising blood cupping for more than 17 years now. Many people from all over Malaysia who are aware of the goodness of blood cupping would come and seek treatment from him. There was a case where he helped a man recover from paralysis four days after he was attacked by stroke.

- As a country with a large Muslim population, what is the overall prevalence of hijama therapy in Malaysia? Is it available in hospitals and clinics as a valid alternative / sunnah therapy?
Blood cupping treatment is well known and also well accepted here in Malaysia. Even the doctors believe in the healing properties. There are many clinics that promote blood cupping. But then, this sunnah is more popular amongst the men. Women are more shy and some of them fear the treatment would result in unbearable pain.

- Is there anything else you would like to add?
I'd like to share this tips based on my experience:
1) I was asked to fast two hours before the treatment, the purpose is to avoid the existence of carbohydrate in blood.
2) I was not allowed to take a bath/shower immediately after the treatment. The cold water will prevent new blood circulation smoothly to skin. Allow for several hours before take a bath/shower.
3) The treatment will make you feel sleepy a bit. Nevertheless, try not to take a nap during the day for 3 consecutive days after the treatment. It has something to do with replenishing new blood in the body, but I was unsure how to explain it.


Further details and photos relating to this post at the following link on Normawati's blog:
http://normawatinon.blogspot.com/2010/07/al-hijamah-and-isra-mikraj.html

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Our thanks to Normawati Non from Selangor, Malaysia for sharing the above post. If you have any further questions to ask about her experience, then please do so via a comment* below.

If you are a hijama therapist or patient and are happy to share your knowledge or experience via a guest blog-post like the one above, please send me an email to: hijama.mail@gmail.com.

*Comments are moderated to prevent spamming so may take some time to appear


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